All about the Fiance Visa I-129F Petition Filing fee

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For the I-129F, pay a flat fee for processing. Currently it’s $535, you can pay by a variety of methods. Then attach payment on the first page.

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Most of us worry about proof of relationship, red flags, and paperwork for our fiance visa — without giving a second thought to the I-129F filing fee.

But surprisingly, sending in the wrong payment to the USCIS for the I-129F form is a common reason for rejection.

So, let’s talk about the details of how to pay the I-129F application fee, including the different methods allowed, and common questions like — do I pay extra for K-2 visa kids? Can I get a fee waiver?

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Steps to pay the I-129F Fee

The USCIS collects the I-129F fee before they process your petition. 

If you don’t submit the fee, they will not review your case. In fact, they’ll immediately reject it and send it back. That’s because the USCIS doesn’t work on taxpayer money, they work on your fee.

So, to make sure you’re not rejected, here’s what to pay and how much.

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Step 1 – Figure out the latest filing fee

Check the USCIS website for the I-129F petition cost. Currently it’s $535, but be sure to check first.

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Step 2 – Verify the amount on the USCIS fee page

Just do a quick verification on the USCIS’s forms fees list. Notice the I-129F is listed along with its current government fee and its old fee before December 23, 2016.

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Step 3 – pay using one approved method 

Use one of these options: personal check, money order, credit card, or cashier’s check. Then attach the payment inside your I-129F packet. We’ll discuss this below.

The I-129F fee is non-refundable. So, whether you’re approved or denied — the USCIS keeps the money. 

But if your I-129F gets rejected (i.e. the Lockbox facility sends it back), then they send  back the check and ask you to refile. To learn more, read “what happens after you submit your I-129F”.

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Different payment methods for form I-129F

You’ve got options: check, money order, credit card, cashier’s check. I’m going to cover the two preferred methods, starting with my recommendation:

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If Paying by check 

● It must be from a US-based bank
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● Must be signed
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● It doesn’t matter who pays the fee: Petitioner, family, friends, or relatives.
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● Make sure to have enough funds in your account. The USCIS will only try one additional time if the payment is declined. If it still doesn’t go through, they’ll reject your application and charge you “return fee”.
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● Write the check the way it’s shown here. Have the “memo” filled out with petitioner’s name, A-number, and the fact that it’s for the I-129F petition.

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If Paying by credit card (G-1450)

● You’re allowed to pay the fiance visa I-129F petition fee using a credit card. Fill out and submit the G-1450 form and attach it to the first page of your packet.
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● It doesn’t matter who’s credit card you use –family, friends, relatives– and it doesn’t necessarily have to be from the petitioner.
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● The USCIS attempts only once to charge your credit card. If it’s rejected or has insufficient funds, the USCIS sends your I-129F back to you.

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Remember: It doesn’t matter who pays for the fee. It could be you, mom, dad, uncle or even your fiance. As long as the USCIS gets its money, that’s all that matters.

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How do you attach the payment?

Once you decide how you’re paying, just put it within your I-129F packet, and attach it to the first page of your packet. The example below shows a personal check.

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Common questions about the fee

Do K-2 visa children “cost” more? 

No, regardless of the number of K-2 visa children you’re applying for, it’s still a flat fee.

The only time you have to pay extra is later on for the Fiance visa interview, where each applicant pays the MRV fee, medical exam, and so on. 

But as of right now, there’s no extra fee for the I-129F for children.

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Is there a biometric service fee?

In the I-129F instructions, it talks about the “biometric Service Fee”.

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The fact is: very rarely does the USCIS ask the petitioner to come in for a biometrics appointment. And like it says in the instructions, only if you come in for a biometrics interview, then they’ll charge you. 

So, remember, don’t include the biometrics fee unless they specifically ask.

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Are there any I-129F form fee Waivers? Armed forces benefits? Any reductions?

Everyone pays the same fiance visa petition I-129F fee. There are no special waivers, reductions, or benefits.

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There are no fee waivers or reductions

A fee waiver is a request to the government to waive your filing fee. Some immigration forms allow this, however, the I-129F does not.

According to DHS (fee schedule), the Fiance visa process isn’t eligible for fee waivers because visa approval is based on the Affidavit of Support, where the applicant must show they can financially support the incoming fiance. 

If the US petitioner asks for a waiver, this means he/she won’t be able to support the incoming fiance (I-134). That’s why the I-129F filing fee can’t be waived.

For the same reason, there are also no reductions. Meaning they won’t reduce the filing fee for any reason.

To verify all of this information yourself, see the form I-912. Notice that out of the list of eligible forms, the I-129F isn’t there. The same goes for a fee reduction (I-942).

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There’s no “premium processing” or “expedite” by paying extra

Many immigration forms allow “premium processing” — which means getting your forms processed quicker if you pay extra. 

It’s like “paying your way to the front of the line”.

However, this only applies to employment-based petitions, where people from overseas come here to work. It doesn’t apply to the fiance visa petition I-129F. So, we cannot get an expedite by paying extra.

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Make sure you submit the correct fee

It’s simple: pay the correct I-129F form filing fee and be done with it. Be sure you have sufficient funds in your account.

Your payment is the first thing they check in your packet. And if it happens to be incorrect, they’ll reject your entire I-129F.

This is a simple problem to tackle. But other parts of the fiance visa process are not so easy. If you’d like my help in figuring out how to do things right, sign up for my free emails.

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