What immigration help for children costs

This page is general information, not legal advice. Fees change often. We checked these on October 21, 2026, against the federal fee rules and the USCIS fee schedule. A lawyer or accredited representative should confirm the fee for your child's exact forms before you pay.

Which cases are free?

Survivors of crime, abuse and trafficking pay no USCIS fees for the main forms (8 CFR 106.2; 8 CFR 106.3(b)):

• U visa (crime victims who helped police): Form I-918 and Supplement A for family are free. The first work permit filed with it is free.
• T visa (trafficking survivors): free.
• VAWA (abuse by a US citizen or green card parent, for children under 21, and in some cases up to 25): the I-360 is free, and the green card and work permit steps are exempt too.

See Do I have to pay fees to apply for a U visa? and Immigration options after violence, abuse or trafficking.

What does a Special Immigrant Juvenile case cost?

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) is for children under 21 who were abused, neglected or abandoned by a parent and have a state court order. See Can my child qualify for SIJS?

The $250 SIJ fee is being challenged in federal court in San Francisco (CHIRLA v. Mullin, filed July 22, 2026). We found no ruling as of October 21, 2026 (case page, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights SF).

What does an asylum case cost?

Since July 2025, asylum has fees set by Congress that cannot be waived (FY 2027 fee notice):

• $100 to file Form I-589.
• $105 for each year the case stays pending, paid within 30 days of the notice (8 CFR 106.2(c)(15)). Missing it can be fatal to the asylum claim.
• First work permit: $570. Renewal: $275 plus the regular $520 on paper or $470 online.

The USCIS fee notice lists no exception for children and says fees created by H.R. 1 cannot be waived or reduced (90 FR 34511). If your child is in immigration court, pay through the court's online portal; immigration court stopped taking checks and money orders on February 23, 2026 (EOIR fees page). See New immigration court and asylum fees.

What does a family green card cost?

If a parent is a US citizen or green card holder and the child is in the US and eligible to apply here (8 CFR 106.2; Form G-1055):

A child abroad goes through a visa interview instead, which has State Department fees. See Can a family member help me get a green card?

What about DACA, TPS and citizenship?

• DACA renewal: $85 plus $520 on paper ($605), or $555 online (USCIS fee schedule). See DACA fee help.
• TPS, first time: $520 plus $30 biometrics. Re-registering: $30. A TPS work permit adds the regular fee plus $570 the first time or $280 to renew (FY 2027 fee notice).
• Certificate of citizenship (N-600) for a child who became a citizen through a parent: $1,385 on paper, $1,335 online; a fee waiver may be possible (USCIS fee schedule). See Did my child become a citizen?

Can I get a fee waived?

Many regular USCIS fees can be waived with Form I-912 or a written request. You qualify if you, your spouse or a parent in the household gets a means tested benefit (such as Medi-Cal or CalFresh), your household income is at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, or you are in extreme financial hardship (USCIS fee waiver page).

What cannot be waived: the fees Congress created in 2025, including the asylum fees, the $250 SIJ fee, and the extra work permit fees for asylum, TPS and parole. Not every form can be waived either. Check the form's fee page first.

If USCIS denies a fee waiver, it rejects the whole filing. You can fix it and file again.

What does a lawyer cost, and where is free help?

Legal fees vary widely. Many children qualify for free help:

• Unaccompanied children: California funds free nonprofit legal services for unaccompanied undocumented minors, including those living with a sponsor, for cases like SIJS and asylum (California Department of Social Services).
• CLSEPA: free help for low income residents of San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, including SIJS and youth cases. (650) 326-6440 (CLSEPA).
• Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County, LIBRE program: limited help with SIJS for teen parents and other vulnerable immigrants. (650) 517-8936 (LASMC LIBRE).
• Bay Area Legal Aid: advice line 1-800-551-5554, all languages; immigration help includes SIJS (BayLegal).
• Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County: $50 consultation. (408) 468-0100 (Catholic Charities SCC).
• Anywhere: the EOIR free legal service providers list, by immigration court.

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

What hidden costs should I plan for?

• Certified translations of birth certificates and court records
• Passport photos, copies and mailing with tracking
• Certified copies of birth certificates from the home country
• The civil surgeon's medical exam fee
• Time off work and travel for court dates and biometrics
• An FBI record ($18) if your teen has any arrests

What mistakes cost families the most?

• Paying a notario. Only lawyers and DOJ accredited representatives can give legal advice (EOIR). A wrong filing costs the fee and can create risk.
• Sending the wrong fee. USCIS rejects filings with the wrong amount. Use the fee calculator on the day you mail.
• Missing the yearly asylum fee. Put the date on your calendar.
• Waiting until your child turns 21. SIJS and many child categories end or change at 21. See What happens when my child turns 21 while waiting?

Questions people ask

My child has SIJS approved. Do we pay for the green card? No USCIS fee for the I-485, work permit or travel document in SIJ cases. The doctor charges for the medical exam.

Do I pay for my child if we are both in the same asylum case? A child listed on a parent's I-589 is part of that application. Ask your lawyer how the yearly fee is billed in your case.

Is the fee refunded if the case is denied? Generally no. USCIS keeps the asylum fee even if it rejects the filing (8 CFR 106.2(c)(14)).

Are there grants to help pay? Some community groups help with DACA and citizenship fees. See DACA fee help.

Is there a worksheet I can print?

Yes. Use it to plan costs before you file.