What does a DACA renewal cost?

This page is general information, not legal advice.

How much is it, exactly?

Two forms make up a DACA renewal, and each has a fee.

The I-765WS worksheet has no fee. The $50 difference comes from the work permit form, which costs less online.

You must send both forms. USCIS rejects a renewal sent without the I-765.

These fees did not change in the October 16, 2026 fee schedule update. A first time DACA request costs the same $605, but it must be filed on paper, because online filing is only for people who had DACA before.

Can I get the fee waived?

No. USCIS does not give fee waivers for DACA. A very small number of people can get a fee exemption, but only if USCIS approves it before you file. The USCIS DACA questions and answers explain who may qualify. Ask a legal clinic if you think you do.

How do I pay?

• Online: you pay inside your USCIS account when you submit.
• By mail: since October 28, 2025, USCIS takes only electronic payment. Use Form G-1450 for a credit, debit or prepaid card, or Form G-1650 to take the money from a U.S. bank account. Checks and money orders are no longer accepted, unless USCIS approved a paper payment exemption.

Check that the money is in the account before you send. If the payment fails, your renewal can be rejected. Anyone with a U.S. bank account, like a parent or friend, can pay for you with Form G-1650.

Are there other costs?

Maybe:

• Legal help. Many nonprofits help with renewals for free or low cost. Some private lawyers charge more. Ask the price first.
• Mailing costs, if you file on paper. A tracked delivery service costs more but shows you when it arrives.
• Travel permission (advance parole), only if you need to travel for school, work or a family emergency. That is a separate form: $630 on paper or $580 online. When you come back, CBP also collects a $1,050 parole fee, with no waiver. Never travel without legal advice. See How do I request advance parole?

What if I can't pay it all right now?

You have options. Start early.

• Mission Asset Fund in San Francisco lends the exact online fee, $555, at 0% interest to people in California. Paying it back can help you build credit.
• Save a little each month. Over 6 months, $555 is about $93 a month. Over 12 months, about $47.
• Ask a legal clinic whether it knows of any money help this year.
• Bay Area residents with a green card case: MAF's Bay Area grant can pay for a DACA renewal only if you are actively working toward lawful status with a lawyer or nonprofit. See Who qualifies for the Bay Area grant?

See Help paying DACA and citizenship fees in the Bay Area for every program we found and checked.

What does the whole renewal cost in real life?

A made up example, not a real case. Jae renews on paper because his old USCIS account is locked.

If Jae fixed his account and filed online, he would pay $555 and save $50. He sets aside about $93 a month for six months before his filing window opens.

How do I avoid paying a scammer?

Your fee goes only to USCIS. Pay inside your USCIS account, or with Form G-1450 or G-1650. USCIS never asks for fees by phone or email and does not take gift cards or wire transfers. There is no fee to speed up a DACA case. See Warning signs of an immigration scam.

Who can help?

Contact them to confirm hours, languages and openings. Being listed here is not a referral or a promise of service.

• Mission Asset Fund: fee loans. missionassetfund.org/immigration
• Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto (for low income San Mateo and Santa Clara county residents): (650) 326-6440
• Immigration Institute of the Bay Area, Redwood City office: (650) 587-1558 to book a free first consultation (appointments only, no drop ins).
• San Mateo County Immigrant Services (for San Mateo County residents): (650) 363-4194, immigrantservices@smcgov.org
• Anywhere in California: the state's map of free immigration legal services, or call (916) 651-8017.

It is a lot of money. It also buys you more time with protection and permission to work. You can do this.

Related questions

• Did DACA fees change?
• Can I get money to pay for immigration fees?
• Who qualifies for the Bay Area grant?