Understanding your real income is crucial when applying for a fee waiver with USCIS. Here’s what you need to know:
What Counts as Real Income?
Your real income for fee waiver purposes includes:
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Wages and salaries
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Social Security benefits
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Pension income
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Any other income you receive, such as from investments or part-time work
Steps to Determine Your Real Income:
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Gather income documents: Collect pay stubs, Social Security statements, pension statements, and any other relevant documents.
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Calculate total income: Add up all your income sources, including benefits and pensions.
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Consider your household size: Include yourself and any dependents living in your household.
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Compare to Federal Poverty Guidelines: Check the current guidelines to see if your combined household income falls below the threshold for your family size. You can find these guidelines on the USCIS website.
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Complete Form I-912: If your income qualifies, download and complete Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, from the USCIS website.
Additional Notes:
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You may need to submit supporting documents like pay stubs or benefit statements with your fee waiver request.
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USCIS has the right to review your request and ask for additional information.
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Meeting the income guidelines doesn’t guarantee a fee waiver. Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Seeking Professional Guidance:
For personalized advice and review of your specific situation, consider consulting an immigration attorney or a qualified professional familiar with USCIS fee waiver requirements.
