USCIS Publishes First Ever Proposed Fee Waiver Form

[Kathryn41 3,205]

USCIS Publishes First-Ever Proposed Fee Waiver Form Agency Actively Seeks Public Comment

USCIS News Release, July 16, 2010

WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has proposed for the first time a standardized fee waiver form in an effort to provide relief for financially disadvantaged individuals seeking immigration benefits. USCIS has published a notice in the Federal Register seeking public comment on the proposed form – Form I-912, Request for Individual Fee Waiver.

The proposed fee waiver form is the product of extensive collaboration with the public. In meetings with stakeholders, USCIS heard concerns that the absence of a standardized fee waiver form led to confusion about the criteria that had to be met as well as the adjudication standards. USCIS worked with stakeholders in developing the fee waiver form that is now posted for comment.

"Our goal is to bring clarity and consistency to our processes," said USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas. "We are doing so now in the critical area of providing the financially disadvantaged with access to immigration benefits."

Mayorkas further stated that the method by which the proposed fee waiver form was devised – through extensive collaboration with the public – will be a hallmark of his approach to improving agency processes.

Currently, applicants requesting a fee waiver must do so by submitting an affidavit or unsworn declaration requesting a fee waiver and stating the reasons why he/she is unable to pay the filing fee. The new proposed fee waiver form is designed to verify that an applicant for an immigration benefit is unable to pay the fee for the benefit sought. The proposed form provides clear criteria and an efficient way to collect and process the information.

The public is encouraged to comment on the proposed fee waiver form at www.regulations.gov. The comment period closes on September 13, 2010

For more information on USCIS and its programs, visit www.uscis.gov.

http://www.uscis.gov...00045f3d6a1RCRD

see also: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=2e15ac6b49cd9210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=68439c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

Edited July 17, 2010 by Kathryn41

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

This is really good news. Up till now it's been up to the applicant to prove financial hardship without having any idea of what it takes to prove it. Federal poverty guidelines? Unemployment?

I've followed the links and can't find the proposed form though..........

[engineer21 51]

Is this the one?

form I-912 draft

This is really good news. Up till now it's been up to the applicant to prove financial hardship without having any idea of what it takes to prove it. Federal poverty guidelines? Unemployment?

I've followed the links and can't find the proposed form though..........

I had to narrow the search limiting it to USCIS and open dockets..

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Thanks for adding the link, Engineer21 .

[JAPrincess 27]

Okay, so I'm confused...

In what instances would this fee waiver be used??

Isn't a major part of immigration proving you have enough money to support the immigrant?

How could one prove that and in the same breath prove they do not have enough money to pay a fee?