DACA Renewal Fee: 2026 Cost, Payment Methods and Exemptions

What Is the DACA Renewal Fee in 2026?

The DACA renewal fee is $605 paper / $555 online under the USCIS fee schedule effective Oct. 16, 2026. The full line reads: I-821D $85 + I-765 $520 (paper) / $470 (online) = $605 paper / $555 online. It covers the deferred action request and the work permit.

Why the fee has two parts

A DACA renewal is two filings in one package. Form I-821D asks USCIS to renew deferred action. Form I-765 asks for a new work permit under category (c)(33). Each has its own fee line in Form G-1055, and you must pay both.

Where the numbers come from

The amounts come from Form G-1055, Edition 10/16/26, the official USCIS fee schedule, checked in October 2026. Our Form G-1055 fee schedule guide explains how to read it, so you can confirm the amount yourself.

How Much Is the I-821D Fee?

The Form I-821D fee is $85, the same on paper and online. It pays for USCIS to review your request to renew deferred action. Biometrics are included: Biometrics included in most fees (separate $30 for TPS I-821 and some EOIR forms). For a renewal, the I-765 always goes with it.

The I-821D edition you need

USCIS currently lists edition 01/20/25 for Form I-821D. An old edition can get a paper package rejected. Download it from uscis.gov the day you prepare it. Online filers do not need to worry about editions, because the USCIS account always serves the current version of the form.

When the I-821D fee is lost

The I-821D page warns that if you file Form I-821D only to replace a lost, stolen or damaged work permit, USCIS will not refund the $85 filing fee. A replacement card needs only Form I-765.

How Much Is the DACA Work Permit Fee?

The DACA work permit fee is $520 paper / $470 online for Form I-765 under category (c)(33). It is the larger part of the DACA renewal cost, and it must be filed with the I-821D. The lower $260 rate on the same line is only for people with a pending I-485, so it does not apply to DACA.

Which I-765 edition is accepted?

Use edition 08/21/25 (the 09/15/26 edition is NOT accepted because of a Sept. 14, 2026 court order). A package with the newer, blocked edition will be rejected. Check the edition date at the bottom of each page before you mail anything.

The (c)(33) category on Form I-765

The eligibility category question on the I-765 must say (c)(33), the DACA code. A wrong code can send the request down the wrong path or get it rejected. Copy it exactly as (c)(33), with parentheses, and match the category printed on your current card.

Do you also need Form I-765WS?

DACA work permit requests include Form I-765WS, the worksheet that explains your economic need to work. The worksheet has no separate fee. It travels with the I-765 and is part of the same payment.

Is the DACA Renewal Cost Lower Online?

Yes. Filing online lowers the DACA renewal cost, because the online I-765 fee is $470 instead of $520. The I-821D fee stays at $85. You need a free USCIS online account, and you pay through Pay.gov at the end. Both forms are filed and paid together in one session.

How much online filing saves

By our sums, filing online saves $50 on every renewal, because only the I-765 line differs. Online filing also removes postage and the risk of a lost envelope. For a family renewing two people, the savings double, since each person pays separately.

Filing DACA online step by step

USCIS lets you file Forms I-821D and I-765 online and has a video showing how. You answer the questions, upload evidence, review the forms and pay. The receipt notices appear in your account, which makes tracking both forms easier.

When paper may still be needed

Paper is needed if USCIS approved a fee exemption for you, because the approval letter must go on top of a paper package. Some filers also choose paper when a clinic prepares the forms.

DACA Renewal Fee Table: Paper vs Online

This table shows the DACA renewal price for each part of the package, on paper and online. The totals match the official G-1055 line: I-821D $85 + I-765 $520 (paper) / $470 (online) = $605 paper / $555 online. Read it before you choose how to file.

DACA renewal price by form and filing method

Each row is one part of the renewal package. Add the I-821D and I-765 rows in your column to get the total due.

How to use this table

Pick your filing column. The total is what you pay, not one line. Paying only the I-821D fee or only the work permit fee gets the whole package rejected. Write the total on your payment form.

Does Biometrics Cost Extra for DACA?

No. The biometrics appointment for a DACA renewal is included in the fees you already pay. Most USCIS form fees include biometrics since April 1, 2024, so do not add a separate payment. If an online checklist still tells you to add a separate biometrics charge, it is out of date.

Where a separate biometrics fee still applies

The separate $30 biometrics fee is limited to a few forms, such as the TPS Form I-821. It does not apply to DACA. People who once paid a separate DACA biometrics charge under older rules sometimes add it by habit.

What the biometrics visit covers

At the Application Support Center, USCIS takes your fingerprints, photo and signature for the new work permit. There is no charge at the center, and no one there should ask you for money.

Do H.R. 1 Fees Apply to DACA Renewals?

No H.R. 1 add-on applies to the DACA work permit under the current schedule. H.R. 1 (Public Law 119-21) added extra fees for asylum, TPS and parolee work permits. The (c)(33) I-765 pays the standard fee only. Recheck that line in each new G-1055 edition.

How the DACA EAD fee compares

The full I-765 line shows the other categories: $520 (paper) / $470 (online); $260 with a pending I-485 filed on or after Apr. 1, 2024. H.R. 1 add-ons: initial asylum-applicant (c)(8) EAD $0 + $570; initial TPS/parolee EAD base fee + $570; renewal TPS/parolee base fee + $280; renewal (c)(8) base fee + $275. DACA is not in the add-on list. H.R. 1 fees change yearly, so recheck the line before each renewal.

Why people mix them up

News stories about H.R. 1 often say "work permit fees went up" without naming categories. Our work permit and H-1B visa fees guide shows which permits pay the add-ons. Check the category code, not the headline.

Has the DACA Renewal Fee Changed?

Yes. Older guides still list a lower amount from earlier fee schedules. The current total is $605 paper / $555 online. Paying an old amount gets the package rejected, and you lose time inside your renewal window. Check the date on any guide you use.

Why old amounts still appear online

Many websites, flyers and clinic handouts were written before 2024 and never updated. Some still show a single combined fee. Trust only the current G-1055 and the USCIS form pages.

Will the fee change again?

Some lines change yearly. The Oct. 16, 2026 H.R. 1 updates did not add a DACA add-on. Check Form G-1055, Edition 10/16/26 or its newer edition before each renewal. A new edition date on G-1055 signals a change.

How Do You Pay the DACA Renewal Fee?

You pay the DACA renewal fee the same way as other USCIS fees: pay online through Pay.gov, or on paper with Form G-1450 (card) or Form G-1650 (bank account). Online filers pay at submission; paper filers put the authorization form on top. Under the current rules, checks, money orders and cashier's checks are accepted only with an approved Form G-1651 exemption.

The three accepted methods at a glance

1. Online filing: credit, debit or prepaid card, or bank account withdrawal through Pay.gov.
2. Paper with Form G-1450: credit, debit or prepaid card.
3. Paper with Form G-1650: ACH payment from a U.S. bank account.

Who can pay for you

A parent, spouse or friend can pay your DACA fee. On a card form, the cardholder signs the authorization. The money comes from their account, but the filing stays yours.

How Do You Pay the DACA Fee Online?

To pay the DACA fee online, file Forms I-821D and I-765 in your USCIS online account. After you review and sign, the system sends you to Pay.gov. Pay $85 plus $470 with a card or bank account. Check the total on the Pay.gov screen before you confirm it.

Before you press submit

Have the full online total available on one card or in one account. Check that your name and A-Number match your last DACA approval. Save the Pay.gov confirmation until both receipt notices show in your account.

If the online payment fails

A failed Pay.gov payment means USCIS has not received the filing. Check your card limit and retry. Do not mail a paper package as a backup. If the card was charged but no receipt shows, wait a few days and check your account before retrying.

How Do You Pay a Paper DACA Renewal by Card?

To pay a paper DACA renewal by card, fill in Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, and place it on top of the package. Enter the paper total ($85 plus $520). The cardholder signs. Without a cardholder signature, USCIS rejects the whole package.

Credit, debit and prepaid cards

G-1450 accepts credit, debit or prepaid cards. A prepaid card must have enough balance for the full charge. If the card is declined, USCIS rejects the package and returns it.

Splitting the payment between forms

Read the current G-1450 instructions on how to authorize the charge for two forms in one package. Also, use one payment method per form; USCIS won't take a mix of payment types for one form. The amount must match the official fees for both the I-821D and the I-765.

Can You Pay the DACA Fee From a Bank Account?

Yes. Use Form G-1650, Authorization for ACH Transactions, to pay a paper DACA renewal from a U.S. checking or savings account. Sign it and put it on top of the package. Enter the full paper total and the account holder's name exactly as the bank has it. The account holder signs, even if that is a parent.

When to choose ACH

ACH suits people without a credit card or with a low card limit. Keep at least the full paper total in the account until the charge clears. Tell the account owner when you mail it, so they do not move money out early.

Avoiding an ACH rejection

Copy the routing and account numbers from a check or the bank's app. A wrong digit means a failed payment and a rejected package, and you must refile inside your renewal window.

Can You Still Use a Money Order for DACA Renewal?

Usually not. The rule now: checks, money orders and cashier's checks are accepted only with an approved Form G-1651 exemption. A DACA money order is accepted only if USCIS approved a paper-payment exemption on Form G-1651 first. Otherwise, pay by card or bank account.

Who qualifies to pay on paper

Form G-1651 lists the reasons, including no access to banking or electronic payment systems, undue hardship, and national security or law enforcement needs. If USCIS denies it, pay electronically. Send it before the DACA package, not with it.

Why old money order advice is risky

For years, many DACA guides told people to buy two money orders. A package with a money order and no approved exemption is likely to be rejected. Those guides predate the current payment rule, so check the date on any guide you follow.

Who Do You Make a DACA Money Order Out To?

Make a DACA money order payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and only if you have an approved paper-payment exemption. The USCIS rule: make paper payments payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (not 'DHS' or 'USDHS'). Never leave the payee line blank or write "USCIS" alone.

U.S. funds from a U.S. institution only

USCIS requires paper payments to be in U.S. funds and drawn on a U.S. financial institution. A money order bought abroad or in another currency will not be accepted. Buy it in dollars, inside the U.S.

What Does a DACA Money Order Example Look Like?

A DACA money order example. Use it only with an approved exemption, and check the exemption approval and current form instructions for any extra rules. The table below shows how each field might be filled in. The names, amounts and memo are a fictional example, not a form to copy word for word. If the exemption letter tells you how to pay, follow it over this sample.

Filling in each field of the money order

Each row matches a line printed on a typical U.S. money order. Fill every field in ink, and never leave the amount or payee blank.

Keep proof of the money order

Keep the purchase receipt and the stub. It helps you trace a lost payment. Never send cash, and attach the exemption approval letter on top of the package. Photocopy the completed money order before you seal the envelope.

What Happens If Your DACA Payment Is Rejected?

A rejected payment means a rejected DACA package. USCIS returns the forms without processing them. The fee is not taken, but your renewal is not filed, so fix the problem and refile inside the 120 to 150 day window. The forms come back by mail.

Common reasons a payment fails

A declined card, an unsigned G-1450, a wrong amount, a closed bank account or a money order without an exemption are the usual causes. An expired card or a typo in the card number on Form G-1450 also causes rejections.

Refiling after a rejected payment

Fix the cause, fill in a fresh payment form, and send the complete package again. USCIS does not hold the first package, so every form, photo and copy of evidence must go back in.

Rejection vs denial

A rejection is about the package, such as the fee or form edition. A denial is a decision on the merits after review, and the fee is kept. Our DACA status guide explains each case update.

Can You Get a DACA Fee Waiver?

No. USCIS says there are no fee waivers available for DACA requests or DACA work permit applications. The official rule: Fee waivers are possible for forms like I-90, I-751, I-765 (not DACA), N-400, N-565 and N-600. Only a narrow fee exemption exists, and it must be approved before you file.

Why I-912 does not work for DACA

Form I-912 covers many other forms, but DACA is excluded. A DACA package sent with an I-912 and no fee will be rejected. If you cannot pay, look at the exemption below or ask a local nonprofit about help.

Where Can You Find Help Paying the DACA Renewal Cost?

Help with the DACA renewal cost comes from private groups, not USCIS. Some community groups and scholarship funds have paid renewal fees for DACA recipients in the past. Ask a trusted local immigrant-rights group early, because funds often run out.

Avoiding fee assistance scams

No group can waive a USCIS fee. Anyone selling a "DACA fee waiver" or asking for the fee in a personal account is a scam. The fee goes only through Pay.gov, Form G-1450 or Form G-1650.

What Are the DACA Fee Exemptions?

DACA fee exemptions are very limited. USCIS guidance lists three hardship groups, each with income below a set percentage of the federal poverty guidelines: people under 18 who are homeless, in foster care or without family support; people with a serious chronic disability; and people with large unreimbursed medical debt.

The three exemption groups

1. Under 18: homeless, in foster care, or lacking parental or other family support.
2. Serious chronic disability: unable to care for yourself.
3. Medical debt: a high level of unreimbursed medical expenses in the past 12 months.

The income limit in every group

All three groups also require low income. The exact income percentage and the medical debt amount are on the USCIS DACA fee exemption guidance page. Read that page before applying, because the limits can change, and gather income proof for everyone in your household.

Who does not qualify

Low income alone does not qualify. If you do not fit one of the three groups, plan to pay the full DACA fee. Receiving a means-tested benefit such as SNAP or Medicaid does not qualify you either, even though it works for a Form I-912 waiver on other forms.

How Do You Request a DACA Fee Exemption?

Request a DACA fee exemption by mailing a signed letter in English with supporting documents to the address on the USCIS exemption guidance page, before you file. If USCIS approves, attach the approval letter to the front of your DACA package and file without the fee.

What the exemption letter needs

Each person sends a letter naming the exemption group. The person signs it, or a parent or legal guardian signs and explains why. Attach copies of evidence in English or with a certified translation.

Evidence by group

Disability requests need medical or insurance records. Medical debt requests need bills or insurance records. Under-18 requests need proof of age plus a letter from an agency or an affidavit from a community or religious group. Every group needs proof of income.

Timing the exemption request

USCIS must decide the exemption before you file. Send it well before your 120 to 150 day window, so you are not forced to choose between paying and missing the window.

Is the DACA Renewal Fee Refundable?

No. The rule is: USCIS fees are nonrefundable, even if your case is denied or withdrawn. If USCIS denies your DACA renewal, you do not get the fee back. A rejected package is different, because USCIS returns it without taking the fee.

Avoiding a lost fee

Check that you meet the renewal guidelines before you pay. People with new arrests, long trips abroad or gaps in continuous residence should get legal advice first. A denial keeps the fee, so a short consultation first can save it.

Withdrawn requests

If you withdraw a DACA renewal after filing, USCIS keeps the fee as well. Think it through before you submit, especially online, where the payment is taken the moment you file.

When Should You Pay the DACA Renewal Fee?

Pay the DACA renewal fee when you file, inside the window USCIS recommends: File your DACA renewal 120-150 days before it expires. The fee goes in the same package or online submission as the forms. Filing earlier does not speed up the decision.

Saving for the renewal

Start saving at least six months before expiration. By our sums, putting aside about $110 a month for six months ($660) covers the paper total with a little left over.

No automatic work permit extension

Filing on time matters more now: Ended: renewals filed on or after Oct. 30, 2025 no longer get the up-to-540-day automatic extension (exceptions: TPS by law/Federal Register notice; STEM OPT 180 days). A late DACA renewal can leave you without work authorization while you wait, which can cost far more than the fee.

How Much Is DACA if Your DACA Has Expired?

The fee is the same, but the request type may differ. USCIS can treat a long-lapsed DACA as an initial request rather than a renewal. Right now: DACA: renewals processed; initial requests accepted but not processed. Check the USCIS DACA page before paying.

Check before you pay

If your DACA expired, read the USCIS DACA page or ask a lawyer whether your request counts as a renewal. Our DACA status guide explains the current rules. Have your last approval notice with you when you ask.

How Much Is an Initial DACA Application?

An initial DACA application uses the same two forms and G-1055 lines, so the fees match: $605 paper / $555 online. But USCIS is accepting initial requests without processing them at this time, so the fee would be paid for a case that may wait indefinitely.

Initial and renewal requests share one fee line

G-1055 has no separate "initial DACA" price. The DACA application fee is the same I-821D and I-765 pair either way. What differs is the evidence and whether USCIS processes it now.

Should you file an initial request now?

That is a legal decision. Talk to a lawyer or DOJ-accredited representative about the risk of paying a nonrefundable fee for a case on hold. Ask whether filing now protects you in any way, or only spends money on a case that sits unprocessed.

How Much Is DACA Advance Parole?

DACA advance parole uses Form I-131: $630 (paper) / $580 (online); $0 if your I-485 was filed before Apr. 1, 2024 with the fee. H.R. 1 Immigration Parole Fee $1,050 when parole is granted (some exceptions). It is a separate fee from the DACA renewal. Travel now carries a serious new risk: Since Aug. 13, 2026, travel on advance parole counts as a departure: over 180 days of unlawful presence can trigger the 3/10-year bar.

Why travel advice matters more in 2026

The August 2026 decision changed how parole travel is treated for unlawful presence. A DACA recipient with past unlawful presence could face a bar on returning. Get legal advice before you pay for Form I-131 or book any trip.

Parole fees on top of the I-131

The I-131 line also mentions the H.R. 1 Immigration Parole Fee ($1,050) when parole is granted, with exceptions. Whether it applies to a DACA traveler is a question for a lawyer.

How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Lost DACA Work Permit?

Replacing a lost, stolen or damaged DACA work permit requires Form I-765 with its fee, $520 paper / $470 online. Do not add Form I-821D; that fee would not be refunded. The request uses the same (c)(33) category as your current card. A replacement does not extend your DACA, so it does not count as a renewal.

Wrong information on the card

If the card has a mistake caused by USCIS, you may not need to pay again. If the mistake was yours, a replacement request with the fee is usually needed.

What Other DACA Costs Should You Budget For?

Beyond the $605 paper / $555 online in USCIS fees, budget for passport-style photos, postage with tracking, copies of documents, and possibly legal help. Some clinics prepare renewals for free or at low cost. These extra costs are not set by USCIS.

Photos and postage

A paper DACA package needs the passport-style photos the form instructions ask for and a reliable mailing method. Use a service with tracking so you can prove delivery. Write your name and A-Number lightly on the back of each photo.

Copies and translations

Renewals need copies of your last work permit and any new court or police records. Any document not in English needs a full English translation with a translator's certification.

Legal help

A lawyer is not required for a simple renewal, but many people use one if anything changed since the last approval. Our immigration lawyer cost guide explains typical pricing. Ask if the price includes USCIS fees.

What Does DACA Renewal Cost for Two People in One Family?

Each DACA recipient pays the full fee. By our sums, two siblings renewing at the same time pay $1,210 on paper or $1,110 online. USCIS has no family rate. Each person files a separate package with separate payment forms. If the two renewal windows open at different times, file each one when its window opens, not together.

No family discount

Do not combine two people's fees on one payment form unless the form instructions allow it. A mix-up can get both packages rejected. Use one G-1450 or G-1650 per person's package, and write each person's own total on it.

Paying for a brother or sister

A family member can pay for another person's renewal by card or bank account. The payer signs the payment form; the applicant signs the DACA forms. Keep a copy of each payment form.

Can You Pay the DACA Fee in Installments?

No installment plan exists. USCIS requires the full fee when you file. You can spread the cost only by saving ahead of the renewal window or by using your own credit card. Any group or website offering a USCIS payment plan is not legitimate.

Using a credit card

Paying through Pay.gov or Form G-1450 lets your card issuer carry the balance. That is a private loan with interest, not a USCIS plan. Check the card limit covers the full total first.

Is the DACA Fee the Same in Every State?

Yes. The DACA fee is set nationally in Form G-1055, so it is $605 paper / $555 online everywhere in the U.S. What changes by state is the mailing address for a paper package, not the price. Online filers use the same process everywhere.

What does change by state

Your filing address depends on where you live. Legal help also varies: some states and cities fund free DACA clinics, and others have few options. Search for a nonprofit near you before paying a private preparer.

How Does the DACA Fee Compare With Other USCIS Fees?

The DACA renewal fee is lower than most green card and citizenship fees but higher than some work permits. A DACA renewal is $605 paper / $555 online. The bigger difference is that DACA cannot be waived, while most of the fees in the table below can be.

DACA cost next to N-400, I-90 and I-751 fees

This table puts the DACA total beside three common fees. DACA is the only one with no waiver.

Where to read about other fees

See our guides to how much it costs to become a US citizen and the green card renewal fee. Every USCIS fee is also on our USCIS filing fees overview.

Where Do You Send the DACA Fee and Forms?

A paper DACA renewal goes to the USCIS lockbox for your state, with the payment form on top. USCIS lists the addresses on its Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-821D page. The address depends on your state of residence and the delivery service, because USPS and courier deliveries can use different addresses. Use the address for the I-821D, since it covers the whole package.

Online filers skip the lockbox

If you file online, there is no mailing address to look up. Forms, evidence and payment all go through your USCIS account, so the lockbox address matters only for paper packages.

New addresses in 2026

Many USCIS filing addresses changed in October 2026: New USCIS mailing addresses from Oct. 7, 2026; old addresses accepted if postmarked by Nov. 9, 2026. Check the official DACA filing address page the day you mail, even if you renewed at the same address before.

Keep your address current

USCIS mails notices and the new card to your address on file. The rule: Report a new address to USCIS within 10 days of moving (INA 265). A wrong address can cost you a new card fee if the card is returned.

What Happens After You Pay the DACA Fee?

After USCIS accepts your payment, it sends two receipt notices, one for the I-821D and one for the I-765. A biometrics notice may follow, then one decision on both forms. USCIS may reuse your earlier fingerprints instead of scheduling a new visit. If approved, the new work permit arrives by mail.

How long the decision takes

USCIS published this median for DACA work permits: I-765 (DACA): median 4.1 months (USCIS data, Apr.-June 2026). For a DACA work permit filed with Form I-821D, the official tool shows no single figure; it says "See notes" (checked October 27, 2026).

Tracking both receipts

Check both receipt numbers on the official tool. Our USCIS case status guide explains each message. If only one form moves forward, wait a few days before contacting USCIS. Each form has its own receipt number, so a change on one says nothing about the other.

How Do You Know USCIS Accepted Your DACA Payment?

Your receipt notices prove the payment was accepted. USCIS sends a Form I-797C for each form after it takes the fee. Online filers see them in their account, and paper filers get them by mail. Expect them a few weeks after filing.

Reading the receipt notice

Each I-797C shows the form, the receipt number and the date USCIS received it. Check that both the I-821D and I-765 appear. Our I-797C notice guide explains every field. Report any name error right away.

A charge but no receipt notice

A charge on your statement without a receipt means the payment went through but the notice is still on its way. Do not pay again, which could create a duplicate filing.

Matching your bank statement

Compare the charge with the official total. A charge for only one form, or a wrong amount, is a sign to check the package. Keep the statement with your receipt notices.

What Are the Most Common DACA Fee Mistakes?

The most common DACA fee mistakes are paying an old amount, paying only one form, mailing a check or money order without an exemption, and a card declined for the full total. Each one gets the package returned, and all four are avoidable with a check before mailing.

A quick pre-mailing check

Confirm the fee from G-1055, the I-765 edition, the signed payment form, and enough funds on the card or account. It prevents most rejections. Have someone else read the payment form too.

Mistakes that cost the fee

Filing an initial request instead of a renewal, filing with new criminal issues, or filing only to replace a card with an I-821D can each cost the fee. Unlike a rejection, these keep the money.

DACA Renewal Fee Checklist You Can Copy

Use this checklist before every renewal. It covers the amount, the payment method and the paperwork that most often causes rejections. Copy it into your notes or print it, then tick off each item as you prepare the package. The second list applies only to paper filers; the last one is for after you file, while you wait for the decision.

Before you pay

• Fee checked on the current G-1055: $605 paper / $555 online
• I-821D on edition 01/20/25; I-765 on edition 08/21/25
• Payment method chosen: Pay.gov, G-1450 or G-1650
• Enough money on the card or in the account
• Filing date inside the 120 to 150 day window

Extra checks for a paper package

• Signed G-1450 or G-1650 on top of the forms
• Both forms signed in ink
• Photos and evidence copies included
• Current lockbox address checked that day
• Tracked mailing service chosen

Keep a full copy of the package.

After you pay

• Pay.gov confirmation or payment form copy saved
• Two receipt notices received
• Bank charge matches the official total
• Address on file is current

If any item is missing after a few weeks, check the case status tool before calling USCIS.

When Should You Talk to a Lawyer About the DACA Fee?

Talk to a lawyer or DOJ-accredited representative before paying if your DACA expired, you were arrested, you traveled, or you are thinking about advance parole. The fee is nonrefundable, so advice first can save it. Many nonprofits offer a first consult for free.

Finding low-cost help

Nonprofits and DOJ-accredited representatives often help with DACA renewals at low or no cost. Confirm anyone you pay is a licensed attorney or an accredited representative. The Justice Department publishes a list of recognized organizations.

Questions to ask before you pay for help

Ask whether the person is a licensed attorney or accredited representative, what the price covers, and whether USCIS fees are included. Get the answer in writing.

Frequently Asked Questions

casestatuscompass.com is an independent publication and is not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency. This page is general information, not legal advice. For denials, court or asylum matters, consult an immigration attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative.