What does “Fees Were Waived” mean?

Good news
Direct answer

USCIS approved your fee waiver request (Form I-912). You will not need to pay the filing fee for this application.

What comes next

Your application will now be processed without the fee payment. USCIS will continue adjudicating your case — the fee waiver approval does not change the substantive review process.

Typical timeline

After a fee waiver is approved, your underlying application proceeds through the normal processing queue. The fee waiver itself does not speed up or slow down processing of the substantive case.

🕐
If you're stuck on this status

If your case has not moved in 6+ months after a fee waiver approval, check the USCIS processing times for your form type and service center. If outside normal processing times, submit an e-Request through your online account.

What to do now
  • 1Save the fee waiver approval notice
  • 2Your case is now in the processing queue — normal waiting times apply
  • 3Update your USCIS online account with current contact information
When to contact an attorney

You usually do not need an attorney for this status by itself. Consider legal help if your case is outside published processing times, you receive a confusing notice, or your facts are complicated.

Community average

Applicants typically wait 90 days before the next update after this status.

Frequently asked questions

Who qualifies for a USCIS fee waiver?+
Fee waivers (Form I-912) are available for applicants who demonstrate inability to pay based on: income at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, means-tested benefit receipt (Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, SSI, Section 8, etc.), or a documented financial hardship. Not all forms allow fee waivers — check the specific form instructions.
Does a fee waiver approval affect my case's chances?+
No — the fee waiver is a separate administrative determination from the substantive case. Approval of a fee waiver does not indicate approval or denial of the underlying application.
Which USCIS forms allow fee waivers?+
Common forms that allow fee waivers include I-485, I-765, I-131, N-400, I-90, and I-601. However, fee waivers are not available for all forms — petitions like I-130 and I-140 generally do not have fee waiver options. Check the current USCIS fee schedule at uscis.gov/g-1055.
What happens if my fee waiver is denied?+
If your fee waiver request is denied, you will need to pay the full filing fee to proceed. USCIS typically returns the denied application so you can resubmit with the fee. You may also reapply for a fee waiver with stronger documentation of financial hardship.
Can I apply for a fee waiver for my entire family's applications?+
You need to submit a separate Form I-912 for each applicant requesting a waiver. The household financial information (income, benefits, expenses) is the same across family members, so you can use the same supporting documents for each I-912 — just include a copy with each filing.

Related status messages

Case Was Received →
Official and related resources
Check your official USCIS case status →Check USCIS processing times →Compare timelines by USCIS form →Browse the USCIS status glossary →

Got a different USCIS status message? Paste it below for a plain-English explanation.

Decode your own status →

GreenLight is an independent tool and is NOT affiliated with USCIS, DHS, or any U.S. government agency. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. Always verify at my.uscis.gov.