"Fees Were Waived" — what it means on USCIS

What to do, in 3 steps

Keep the notice that shows the fee was waived.

Wait for the receipt notice and next steps.

Keep your address current.

—months

In this statusThe next update usually comes within weeks to months, depending on the form.

In general, on any form

USCIS approved your request to waive the filing fee. You do not have to pay the fee for this case. Your case now moves on like any other filing. The fee waiver does not decide the case itself.

Avoid these mistakes

Thinking the fee waiver means the case is approved.

Sending a payment anyway.

Quick questions

Does 'Fees Were Waived' mean my case is approved?

No. It only means you do not have to pay the fee.

Who can get a fee waiver?

Eligibility depends on the form and on income or hardship rules set by USCIS.

Do I need to do anything now?

No. Wait for the next update on your case.

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Choose your form for the exact explanation

I-485Green card from inside the U.S.Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status I-130Petition for a family memberPetition for Alien Relative I-765Work permit (EAD)Application for Employment Authorization N-400Become a U.S. citizenApplication for Naturalization I-131Travel permit or reentry permitApplication for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records I-751Remove conditions on 2-year green cardPetition to Remove Conditions on Residence I-90Renew or replace green cardApplication to Replace Permanent Resident Card I-129FK-1 fiancé(e) visa petitionPetition for Alien Fiancé(e)I-140Employment-based green card petitionImmigrant Petition for Alien Workers I-821DDACA request or renewalConsideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals I-539Extend or change visa statusApplication to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status I-129Temporary work visa petitionPetition for a Nonimmigrant Worker I-601AProvisional waiver before consular interviewApplication for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver I-589Asylum applicationApplication for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal I-821TPS application or re-registrationApplication for Temporary Protected Status I-360Special immigrant petition (VAWA, SIJ)Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant N-600Proof of citizenship through parentsApplication for Certificate of Citizenship I-918U visa for crime victimsPetition for U Nonimmigrant Status I-526EEB-5 regional center investor petitionImmigrant Petition by Regional Center Investor I-829Remove conditions for EB-5 investorsPetition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status I-601Waiver of inadmissibilityApplication for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility I-212Permission to return after deportationApplication for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the United States After Deportation or Removal I-730Bring family of refugees or asyleesRefugee/Asylee Relative Petition I-290BAppeal or motion on a denialNotice of Appeal or Motion N-565Replace citizenship certificateApplication for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document I-907Pay for faster processingRequest for Premium Processing Service I-131ABoarding document for stranded residentsApplication for Carrier Documentation I-134ASupporter for humanitarian paroleOnline Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support I-914T visa for trafficking victimsApplication for T Nonimmigrant Status I-526EB-5 direct investor petitionImmigrant Petition by Standalone Investor I-824Follow-up on an approved caseApplication for Action on an Approved Application or Petition I-102Replace or fix your I-94Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document I-192Nonimmigrant inadmissibility waiverApplication for Advance Permission to Enter as a Nonimmigrant I-929Green card for U visa relativesPetition for Qualifying Family Member of a U-1 Nonimmigrant N-600KCitizenship for child living abroadApplication for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 322 I-881NACARA relief for certain nationalsApplication for Suspension of Deportation or Special Rule Cancellation of Removal (NACARA 203)I-817Family Unity protectionApplication for Family Unity Benefits N-336Appeal a citizenship denialRequest for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings I-765VWork permit for abused spousesApplication for Employment Authorization for Abused Nonimmigrant Spouse I-612J-1 two-year home rule waiverApplication for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement I-956FEB-5 project approvalApplication for Approval of an Investment in a Commercial Enterprise I-918 Supplement AU visa for family membersPetition for Qualifying Family Member of U-1 Recipient I-600AAdoption pre-approval (non-Hague)Application for Advance Processing of an Orphan Petition I-800AAdoption pre-approval (Hague)Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country I-800Hague adoption petition for a childPetition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative I-600Non-Hague orphan adoption petitionPetition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative I-129CWCW-1 worker in Northern Mariana IslandsPetition for a CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker N-470Keep residence while working abroadApplication to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes I-914 Supplement AT visa for family membersApplication for Derivative T Nonimmigrant Status I-956Become an EB-5 regional centerApplication for Regional Center Designation I-191Old 212(c) relief for residentsApplication for Relief Under Former Section 212(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act I-508Diplomat waiver to adjust statusRequest for Waiver of Certain Rights, Privileges, Exemptions, and Immunities I-566A, G or NATO status changesInteragency Record of Request -- A, G or NATO Dependent Employment Authorization or Change/Adjustment to/from A, G or NATO Status I-602Waiver for refugeesApplication by Refugee for Waiver of Inadmissibility Grounds I-694Appeal a legalization decisionNotice of Appeal of Decision Under Sections 245A or 210 of the Immigration and Nationality Act I-956GEB-5 regional center yearly reportRegional Center Annual Statement I-956KRegister as an EB-5 promoterRegistration for Direct and Third-Party Promoters I-6871986 legalization temporary residenceApplication for Status as a Temporary Resident Under Section 245A of the Immigration and Nationality Act I-698Legalization: temporary to permanentApplication to Adjust Status From Temporary to Permanent Resident (Under Section 245A of the INA)I-690Waiver for legalization applicantsApplication for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility Under Sections 245A or 210 of the Immigration and Nationality Act

AI-assisted explanation based on the official USCIS status, reviewed by CaseAlerta. Not legal advice. Times are typical ranges, never an exact date.

“Fees Were Waived”