Guidance on Paying Fees and Completing Information for Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers

Be sure to provide the correct payment and complete information when filing Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers. Since publishing both a new edition of this form and a new fee rule in April 2024, we have had to reject an unusually high number of Form I-140 petitions at intake because of incorrect fees and missing information. 

When you file Form I-140, provide a payment with your petition for the full $600 Asylum Program Fee, unless you qualify for a reduced Asylum Program Fee of either $300 or $0. If you do not provide the correct Asylum Program Fee, in addition to the $715 filing fee, we may reject your filing.  Also, because your answers in Part 1 of the form to questions 5 and 6 tell us whether you qualify for a reduced fee, they cannot be left blank. 

If you do not provide the correct payment with your petition, or if you do not provide a response for questions 5 and 6 in Part 1, we may reject your form. Refer to the chart below for guidance on how to complete questions 5 and 6 and determine the correct payment. 

Non-Profit Organizations or Government Research Institutions

• Response to Part 1, Question 5: Yes

• Response to Part 1, Question 6: Either Yes or No

• Asylum Program Fee: $0

• Filing Fee: $715

• Total Payment: $715

Explanation: Non-profit organizations or government research institutions are exempt from paying the Asylum Program Fee and are only required to pay the $715 filing fee.

1. Small Businesses (25 or fewer employees)

   • Response to Part 1, Question 5: No

   • Response to Part 1, Question 6: Yes

   • Asylum Program Fee: $300

   • Filing Fee: $715

   • Total Payment: $1,015

   Explanation: Small businesses or organizations that employ 25 or fewer full-time employees in the U.S. qualify for a reduced Asylum Program Fee of $300, in addition to the $715 filing fee.

1. Individual Self-Petitioners (With 25 or fewer employees, or no employees)

   • Response to Part 1, Question 5: No

   • Response to Part 1, Question 6: Yes

   • Asylum Program Fee: $300

   • Filing Fee: $715

   • Total Payment: $1,015

   Explanation: Self-petitioners, including those with 25 or fewer employees (or no employees), must pay the reduced Asylum Program Fee of $300, along with the $715 filing fee.

1. All Other Petitioners

   • Response to Part 1, Question 5: No

   • Response to Part 1, Question 6: No

   • Asylum Program Fee: $600

   • Filing Fee: $715

   • Total Payment: $1,315

   Explanation: Petitioners who do not qualify for any reductions must pay the full Asylum Program Fee of $600, along with the $715 filing fee, resulting in a total of $1,315.

Important Guidelines for Filing Form I-140:

• Separate Payments: The $715 filing fee and the Asylum Program Fee must be submitted as separate payments (e.g., separate checks or money orders). Both payments must use the same payment method, whether by check, money order, or credit card (using Form G-1450). If different payment methods are used, the petition may be rejected.

• Required Responses in Part 1: It is essential to answer Questions 5 and 6 in Part 1 of the form. Failure to do so can result in the rejection of the entire petition.

Provide separate payments for the $715 filing fee and the Asylum Program Fee, using the same type of payment, either check/money order or Form G-1450 to pay with a credit card. Packages filed with more than one type of payment may be rejected. 

For additional guidance on filing paper-based forms at the Lockbox and how to avoid or correct common errors before you file, including what and how to pay the fees required, visit our Five Steps to File at the USCIS Lockbox webpage.

See the Form I-140 instructions (PDF, 393.86 KB) or 8 CFR 106.1(f) for more detailed definitions of nonprofit and small employer. 

Guidance on Paying Fees and Completing Information for Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers | USCIS