Form I-129F Filing Fee in 2026: Cost & How to Pay

How Much Is the Form I-129F Filing Fee in 2026?

The standard USCIS Form I-129F filing fee for a K-1 fiancé(e) petition is $675.

The $0 fee is a K-3 filing-category exemption. It does not apply to K-1 fiancé(e) petitions.

Last verified: October 21, 2026. Source: USCIS Fee Schedule (Form G-1055).

How to Pay the Form I-129F Filing Fee

Since October 28, 2025, USCIS generally requires electronic payment for paper-filed Form I-129F petitions. You can pay by card or authorize a withdrawal from a U.S. bank account. Paper payments are allowed only under limited exceptions.

Pay by Credit or Debit Card — Form G-1450

Use Form G-1450 to authorize payment using an eligible credit, debit, or prepaid card issued by a U.S. bank.

Enter the cardholder’s billing information, card details, $675 payment amount, and required signature. Place the completed authorization form on top of your mailed petition package.

Pay From a U.S. Bank Account — Form G-1650

Use Form G-1650 to authorize an electronic withdrawal, called an ACH debit, from a U.S. bank account.

Select a personal or business account and checking or savings. Enter the routing number, account number, authorized payment amount, and required signature.

If your bank blocks ACH withdrawals, contact it before filing to allow USCIS transactions.

Request a Paper-Payment Exception — Form G-1651

Use Form G-1651 only if you qualify for an exemption from electronic payment.

Exceptions may apply if you lack access to banking or electronic payment systems, or electronic payment would cause qualifying undue hardship.

Place Form G-1651, signed by the person paying the fee, on top of your mailed petition with the correct paper payment. Simply preferring checks or money orders does not qualify.

Important: Electronic payment does not mean Form I-129F can be filed online. For submission instructions, see our Form I-129F filing guide.

Can You Get a Form I-129F Fee Waiver or Exemption?

No. USCIS does not allow a Form I-912 fee waiver for the standard $675 K-1 fiancé(e) petition, even if you cannot afford the fee.

However, two types of exemptions are worth understanding:

• K-3 filing exemption: Qualifying K-3 spouse petitions based on a previously filed Form I-130 have a $0 filing fee.
• Payment-method exemption: Form G-1651 allows qualifying petitioners to request permission to pay by check or money order instead of electronically. The $675 K-1 filing fee still applies.

Check the USCIS Fee Schedule (Form G-1055) before filing.

What Happens If You Pay the Wrong I-129F Fee?

USCIS may reject Form I-129F if the filing fee is incorrect or the payment cannot be processed. Common problems include:

• Incorrect fee amount: Paying the wrong amount can lead to rejection. Confirm the current fee in the USCIS Fee Schedule.
• Declined card or ACH payment: USCIS does not retry a declined card payment. An ACH debit returned for insufficient funds may be retried once. Confirm your account has sufficient funds and allows USCIS withdrawals.
• Missing or unsigned authorization: An incomplete or unsigned Form G-1450 or G-1650 can prevent USCIS from collecting the fee.

If USCIS rejects your filing, read the rejection notice, correct the payment problem, and resubmit the petition with the required fee and payment documents.

Rejection means USCIS did not accept the petition; denial follows review of an accepted petition. Rejected filings generally lose their original filing date.

Is the Form I-129F Filing Fee Refundable?

The USCIS Form I-129F filing fee is generally nonrefundable once USCIS accepts and processes the petition, even if it is later denied or withdrawn.

If USCIS rejects your filing before collecting payment, that is different from denying an accepted petition. You generally have not paid a processing fee in that situation.

If you believe USCIS collected an incorrect amount or made a payment-processing error, contact USCIS and request a review. The USCIS fee refund policy explains when a refund may be considered. Approval is not automatic.

Does the I-129F Fee Cover the K-1 Visa Fee?

No. The $675 Form I-129F filing fee covers only the USCIS petition. It does not include the separate $265 K-1 visa application fee paid later during the Department of State’s consular process.

Medical examinations, required documents, travel, and optional form-preparation services may cost extra. These expenses are separate from the USCIS filing fee.

For the complete visa process and related expenses, see our K-1 fiancé(e) visa guide.

I-129F Payment Checklist Before Mailing

Before mailing Form I-129F, review your payment information to avoid preventable filing rejections.

• Confirm the current fee using the USCIS Fee Schedule.
• Choose the correct payment authorization: Form G-1450 or G-1650.
• Enter the exact filing fee amount.
• Check your card details or bank account and routing numbers.
• Sign the payment authorization where required.
• Confirm sufficient funds and that your bank permits the transaction.
• If requesting a paper-payment exception, include the completed Form G-1651 signed by the payer and the correct paper payment. Include supporting documentation when required for your circumstances.
• Save a copy of your payment documents.

For the complete petition and mailing checklist, see our Form I-129F filing guide.

Form I-129F Filing Fee FAQs