U Visa Government Filing Fees — 2026 Cost Breakdown

What U Visa Applicants Pay USCIS — and What They Don't

The Form I-918, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status, carries no filing fee. USCIS does not charge crime victims to apply for U visa protection. That zero-dollar line is one of the few aspects of the process where Congress removed a financial barrier — but it doesn't mean the entire path is cost-free.

Biometrics appointments, work authorization applications, adjustment of status filings, and derivative family petitions all generate separate government fees. The U visa itself is free to file, but the forms that surround it are not. Applicants who assume 'no filing fee' means 'no government costs' discover the actual expense breakdown only after they've started the process. This article maps every fee USCIS charges at each stage, explains what you pay for and when, and identifies the costs you can defer or avoid entirely.

We reference current USCIS fee schedules as of 2026. Fee rules change periodically — confirm every amount on the official USCIS fee schedule at uscis.gov/forms before you prepare a filing budget.

The I-918 Filing Fee: Why It's Zero

Form I-918 is the U visa petition. It establishes that you are a victim of qualifying criminal activity, that you suffered substantial physical or mental abuse, that you possess information about the crime, and that you have been or are likely to be helpful to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution. The petition also requests deferred action — permission to remain in the United States while USCIS processes the application.

Congress exempted I-918 from fees under the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act. The policy rationale is straightforward: charging crime victims to seek protection discourages reporting and cooperation. USCIS does not charge for the petition itself, the law enforcement certification (Form I-918 Supplement B), or the personal statement.

That exemption applies only to I-918. Every other form in the U visa process follows standard USCIS fee rules.

Biometrics Fee

USCIS requires biometrics — fingerprints, photograph, and signature — for most applicants aged 14 and older. The agency schedules the appointment after it accepts the I-918 petition. As of 2026, USCIS lists an $85 biometrics services fee on its fee schedule, though the agency may waive it for certain humanitarian applications. Confirm the current biometrics fee and waiver policy at uscis.gov/forms before the appointment notice arrives.

The biometrics appointment takes place at an Application Support Center. USCIS uses the fingerprints for background checks and identity verification. Missing the appointment can delay adjudication, so respond to the notice within the window USCIS provides.

Employment Authorization (Form I-765)

U visa petitioners may apply for work authorization while the petition is pending. Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, is filed either with the I-918 or separately after USCIS grants deferred action. The form requests an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) that allows lawful employment in the United States.

As of 2026, USCIS charges a filing fee for Form I-765 — confirm the current amount on the USCIS fee schedule before filing. Some applicants qualify for a fee waiver under specific circumstances; the waiver request is submitted on Form I-912 or by demonstrating eligibility through means-tested public benefits. Eligibility criteria and required documentation are listed in the I-912 instructions.

The EAD is valid for a set period, typically aligned with the U visa approval or deferred action period. Renewal requires filing I-765 again with the applicable fee, unless a waiver is granted.

Derivative Family Petitions (Form I-918 Supplement A)

Qualifying family members may be included as derivative U visa applicants. Eligible derivatives include spouses, children under 21, and — if the principal applicant is under 21 — parents and unmarried siblings under 18. Each family member is petitioned on Form I-918 Supplement A.

There is no filing fee for I-918 Supplement A. USCIS applies the same fee exemption that covers the principal I-918 petition. Biometrics fees apply separately to each derivative family member if they are 14 or older, under the same schedule as the principal applicant.

Derivative family members approved for U nonimmigrant status receive their own employment authorization and deferred action, subject to the same fee rules that apply to the principal applicant.

Adjustment of Status to Lawful Permanent Residence (Form I-485)

U visa holders who meet continuous physical presence and admissibility requirements may apply for a green card. Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, is the adjustment application.

USCIS charges a filing fee for Form I-485. As of 2026, the fee varies by applicant age and includes the cost of biometrics for applicants in certain age brackets. The USCIS fee schedule lists the current I-485 fee at uscis.gov/forms. The fee is not waivable for adjustment of status applications — applicants must pay in full at the time of filing.

The I-485 filing also requires a medical examination on Form I-693, completed by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon. The civil surgeon charges separately for the exam, vaccinations, and any required tests. That cost is not a government fee and varies by provider.

Government Fees You Do Not Pay as a U Visa Applicant

Several common immigration fees do not apply to U visa cases:

• No visa application fee: U status is granted inside the United States. There is no consular processing and no DS-160 or visa issuance fee.
• No premium processing: USCIS does not offer expedited adjudication for Form I-918. All petitions are processed in the order received.
• No petition receipt fee for derivatives: I-918 Supplement A carries no filing fee, unlike most family-based immigration petitions.

Here's the honest answer:

Here's the honest answer: the U visa filing fee being zero does not mean the process carries no cost. Biometrics, work permits, and green card applications all generate government fees — and the medical exam for adjustment of status is a separate private expense. The confusion comes from marketing language that emphasizes 'no filing fee' without breaking down the other charges. Budget for the full sequence, not just the I-918.

Attorney Fees Are Not Government Fees

USCIS fees cover only what the government charges. Immigration attorneys charge separately for petition preparation, legal strategy, evidence gathering, law enforcement coordination, and case management. Those are professional service fees, not government filing fees, and they vary by firm and case complexity.

The Law Offices of Peter D. Chu offers an initial consultation for $250 to evaluate U visa eligibility, explain the process, and outline what the firm can do for your case. That consultation fee is separate from both government fees and any representation agreement.

Attorney fees and government fees are budgeted separately. Confirm both cost structures before you commit to filing.

What If I Cannot Afford the Biometrics or Work Permit Fee?

USCIS offers fee waivers for applicants who demonstrate financial hardship. Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, is filed with the application that carries the fee. Eligibility is based on household income relative to Federal Poverty Guidelines, receipt of means-tested public benefits, or financial hardship that prevents payment.

The I-912 instructions list the documentation required to support the waiver request. USCIS adjudicates the waiver request separately from the underlying application. If the waiver is denied, USCIS issues a fee bill — the applicant must pay the fee within the stated deadline or the application is rejected.

Fee waivers do not apply to Form I-485, adjustment of status. That fee is not waivable under any circumstances.

What If My Derivative Family Member Needs a Work Permit?

Derivative family members approved for U nonimmigrant status may apply for work authorization using the same process as the principal applicant. They file Form I-765 with the applicable fee — or request a fee waiver on Form I-912 if they qualify.

Each derivative applies separately. USCIS does not issue joint EADs or apply one filing fee to multiple applicants. If you have three derivatives who need work authorization, you file three I-765 forms with three fees (or three waiver requests).

What If USCIS Increases Fees While My Case Is Pending?

Fee increases take effect on a date published in the Federal Register. USCIS applies the fee rule in effect on the date the application is received, not the date it is approved. If you file Form I-765 before a fee increase, you pay the old fee. If you file after the effective date, you pay the new fee.

Applications filed with an incorrect fee are rejected. USCIS does not hold the filing date or process the petition — it returns the entire package. Confirm the current fee on the day you mail the application.

The Medical Exam: A Required Private Cost

Adjustment of status applicants must submit Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, with Form I-485. The exam is performed by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon — a doctor authorized to conduct immigration medical exams.

The civil surgeon charges separately for the exam, required vaccinations, and any diagnostic tests. That cost is not a government fee and is not standardized — it varies by provider, location, and the applicant's vaccination history. The exam cannot be performed by a non-designated physician, and USCIS will not accept a substitute.

Budget for the medical exam as a separate line item when planning for adjustment of status. It is required and it is not covered by the I-485 filing fee.

How U Visa Costs Compare to Other Victim-Based Protections

U visa applicants pay less in government fees than most other immigration categories, but they are not the only fee-exempt group. T visa applicants (victims of human trafficking) also file Form I-914 without a fee. VAWA self-petitioners (victims of domestic violence) file Form I-360 without a fee. Asylum applicants file Form I-589 without a fee.

All of these categories share the same policy rationale: charging vulnerable populations to seek protection discourages applications and undermines the statute's purpose. The fee exemption applies to the initial petition only — work authorization, adjustment of status, and biometrics fees apply to all categories.

Payment Methods and Fee Submission

USCIS accepts payment by check, money order, or credit card (using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions). Payment must be submitted with the application. USCIS does not send invoices for filing fees — applications submitted without the required fee are rejected.

Make checks or money orders payable to 'U.S. Department of Homeland Security.' Do not abbreviate. USCIS does not accept cash, and third-party checks are not permitted.

If paying by credit card, submit Form G-1450 with the application. USCIS charges the card after the application is received and logged. The charge may not appear immediately, and applicants should not assume the fee was waived if the charge is delayed.

Fee Changes and Where to Confirm Current Amounts

USCIS publishes fee schedules on its website and updates them through rulemakings published in the Federal Register. Fee increases require public notice and a comment period before taking effect. Once a new fee rule is finalized, USCIS posts the updated schedule at uscis.gov/forms.

Every form page on the USCIS website lists the current filing fee. Before you prepare a check or complete a fee waiver request, confirm the amount on the official page for the form you are filing. This article references amounts as of 2026 — they are not guaranteed to remain current.

What This Means for Your Budget

Plan for these government costs when preparing a U visa case:

1. I-918 petition: $0
2. Biometrics (per person 14+): $85 (verify current amount; may be waivable)
3. Work authorization (I-765, per person): Confirm fee at uscis.gov/forms (waivable via I-912 for eligible applicants)
4. Adjustment of status (I-485, per person): Confirm fee at uscis.gov/forms (not waivable)
5. Medical exam (per person): Varies by civil surgeon; not a government fee

Derivative family members multiply costs 3, 4, and 5. A family of four adjusting status will pay four I-485 fees, four medical exams, and potentially four work authorization fees if they need EADs before adjustment is complete.

Attorney fees are separate and should be discussed during the initial consultation. The Law Offices of Peter D. Chu charges $250 for the initial consultation to evaluate your case and explain what representation would involve. That fee covers the consultation itself, not petition preparation or filing.

Legal Disclaimer

This article provides general information about U visa government filing fees and related costs. It is not legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Peter D. Chu. Immigration outcomes depend on individual facts, case circumstances, and current USCIS policies. Fee rules, waiver eligibility, and processing procedures change periodically. Consult a licensed immigration attorney to evaluate your specific situation and confirm current filing requirements before submitting any application to USCIS.

For personalized guidance on U visa petitions, derivative applications, fee waivers, or adjustment of status, contact the Law Offices of Peter D. Chu at 858-268-8823 or visit peterchu.com to schedule a consultation.

Schedule a consultation with the Law Offices of Peter D. Chu — 4615 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111 · 858-268-8823 · Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM–5:30 PM. Consultation fee: $250.