📋 Your Renewal Situation
Nonprofits offer free or low-cost help — see below
Birth certificates, foreign IDs often need certified translation
DACA alone does NOT authorize international travel
Each renewal = 2 years of DACA protection
Total DACA Renewal Cost
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📊 Complete Fee Breakdown
📅 Renewal Filing Timeline
150 days before
Earliest recommended filing date. Begin gathering documents and working with attorney.
120 days before
USCIS recommended target date. File your renewal package by this point for safest processing window.
On expiration
If renewal pending & filed on time: automatic 180-day EAD extension activates automatically.
3–8 months
Typical processing time for DACA renewals at current USCIS workload (2026 estimate).
⚠️ Disclaimer: DACA is subject to ongoing litigation and policy changes. This calculator reflects current USCIS fees as of April 2026. Fee amounts and program availability can change. This is not legal advice. Given DACA’s legal complexity, consulting a licensed immigration attorney before filing is strongly recommended.
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Sources & Methodology
All USCIS filing fees verified against the official USCIS Fee Schedule effective April 1, 2024. Biometrics waiver for DACA confirmed via USCIS Form I-821D instructions (current edition).
USCIS Official DACA Page — Fees, Forms, and Instructions
Official USCIS guidance on DACA renewal requirements, current filing fees ($495 for I-765), biometrics waiver confirmation, and Form I-821D renewal instructions verified directly from USCIS.
USCIS Fee Schedule (Effective April 1, 2024)
Official USCIS fee schedule confirming the I-765 filing fee of $495 and the absence of a biometrics fee for DACA renewal applications, used as the primary source for all government fee amounts in this calculator.
National Immigration Law Center — DACA Resources
NILC provides legal aid referrals and attorney fee range data for DACA renewal assistance, used to inform the attorney fee ranges displayed in this calculator.
Fee Calculation (verified against USCIS fee schedule):
USCIS I-765 Filing Fee = $495 (mandatory, no waiver available) Biometrics Fee = $0 (WAIVED for all DACA renewals — confirmed USCIS policy) Advance Parole I-131 Fee = $630 (only if international travel needed) Total = $495 + $0 biometrics + Attorney + Translation + [Advance Parole if needed] Multi-cycle planning: each renewal cycle costs the same base amount. Attorney fee ranges are market estimates; nonprofit/legal aid rates are significantly lower. Translation: certified translation typically $50–$100 per page from professional translators.
USCIS I-765 Filing Fee = $495 (mandatory, no waiver available) Biometrics Fee = $0 (WAIVED for all DACA renewals — confirmed USCIS policy) Advance Parole I-131 Fee = $630 (only if international travel needed) Total = $495 + $0 biometrics + Attorney + Translation + [Advance Parole if needed] Multi-cycle planning: each renewal cycle costs the same base amount. Attorney fee ranges are market estimates; nonprofit/legal aid rates are significantly lower. Translation: certified translation typically $50–$100 per page from professional translators.
Last reviewed: April 2026 | USCIS I-765 fee: $495 effective April 1, 2024
DACA Renewal Cost: Complete 2025–2026 Guide
DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) requires renewal every 2 years. Understanding the exact cost breakdown — including which fees are mandatory, which are waived, and what professional help costs — helps Dreamers plan financially and file on time. Many websites list incorrect fee information; this guide uses the current official USCIS fee schedule.
Official 2026 DACA Fee Schedule — Verified
| Fee Item | Amount | Mandatory? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form I-765 (EAD Application) | $495 | Yes | Primary filing fee — no waiver available |
| Form I-821D (DACA Request) | $0 | Yes (free) | No separate fee for the DACA form itself |
| Form I-765WS (Worksheet) | $0 | Yes (free) | Must be included with I-765 |
| Biometrics (fingerprints) | WAIVED ($0) | N/A | Biometrics fee waived for all DACA renewals |
| Advance Parole I-131 | $630 | Only if traveling | Required before any international travel |
| Attorney fee (market range) | $300–$1,500 | Optional | Varies by provider type and complexity |
| Certified document translation | $75–$250 | If needed | Foreign-language documents require certified translation |
The Biometrics Fee: Frequently Misreported
Many websites incorrectly state that DACA renewal costs $495 + $85 biometrics = $580. This is wrong. The biometrics fee is waived for DACA renewal applications. The $85 biometrics fee applies to many other immigration forms but has been waived for DACA since the program began and continues to be waived as of the current fee schedule effective April 1, 2024. Your only mandatory government fee for DACA renewal is $495. This is a significant point — if you paid $580 to a preparer claiming $85 was required for biometrics, the extra $85 was either a service fee or an error.
Should You Use an Attorney or Legal Aid?
| Service Type | Cost Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Self-file (DIY) | $0 professional fee | Simple renewals, experienced filers, no changes in situation |
| Nonprofit / Legal Aid | Free – $300 | Low-income applicants, first-time renewals, budget-constrained |
| Immigration attorney | $500 – $1,000 | Standard renewals with some situational complexity |
| Full-service attorney | $1,000 – $1,500+ | Criminal history, travel issues, previous denials, complex cases |
💡 Finding free or low-cost DACA help: Many nonprofit organizations provide free or reduced-cost DACA renewal assistance. Search for DACA legal help through: United We Dream (unitedwedream.org), National Immigration Law Center (nilc.org), your local legal aid society, or law school immigration clinics. Many of these organizations can help you complete the forms accurately for little or no attorney fee, reducing your total cost to just the $495 filing fee.
Advance Parole: The Hidden Cost of International Travel
DACA provides deferred action and work authorization — it does not grant permission to leave and re-enter the United States. If you travel abroad without Advance Parole (Form I-131, $630 filing fee), you risk your DACA being terminated and losing the ability to re-enter. Advance Parole is only granted for specific purposes: educational (study abroad programs), humanitarian (visiting a sick relative), or employment (work travel). It must be approved before you depart — not after. Never leave the US without a valid Advance Parole document in hand.
Multi-Year DACA Renewal Budget Planning
DACA must be renewed every 2 years. For Dreamers who want to plan long-term, here is what to budget for continuous DACA coverage assuming attorney assistance and no Advance Parole:
| Coverage Period | Renewals Needed | USCIS Fees | With Attorney (~$750/renewal) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 years | 1 | $495 | ~$1,245 |
| 6 years | 3 | $1,485 | ~$3,735 |
| 10 years | 5 | $2,475 | ~$6,225 |
Situations That Require an Attorney (Do Not Self-File)
- Any criminal record: Even minor arrests, dismissed charges, or traffic violations can affect DACA eligibility. An attorney reviews whether your record disqualifies you before you spend $495 on a likely-denied application.
- Travel outside the US: If you left the US after June 15, 2012 without Advance Parole, your DACA eligibility may be affected. An attorney reviews your travel history before filing.
- Previous denial or termination: If your DACA was previously denied or terminated, do not re-file without attorney guidance.
- Questions about your continuous residence: If there are gaps in your US residence since June 15, 2007, an attorney can help document your case properly.
- Any change in immigration status: If you have had any change in your immigration situation since your last renewal, consult an attorney first.
Frequently Asked Questions
The mandatory USCIS fee is $495 for Form I-765 (Employment Authorization Document). There is no biometrics fee for DACA renewals — the $85 biometrics fee is waived. Adding a standard immigration attorney costs $500 to $1,000, bringing total cost to $995 to $1,495 with attorney. Nonprofits and legal aid organizations charge much less or nothing. If you need Advance Parole for international travel, add $630 in USCIS fees.
No. The biometrics fee is waived for DACA renewal applications. Many sources incorrectly report the total as $580 ($495 + $85 biometrics), but USCIS waives biometrics for DACA. Your only mandatory government fee is $495. If someone charged you $580 for biometrics, the extra $85 was a service fee or error — not an official USCIS requirement.
No. USCIS does not accept fee waiver requests for DACA applications and renewals. The $495 I-765 fee is required for all applicants regardless of income. However, many nonprofits, legal aid organizations, and DACA assistance funds can help cover the $495 USCIS fee for eligible low-income applicants. Search for DACA financial assistance programs in your area through organizations like United We Dream or your local legal aid society.
USCIS recommends filing 120 to 150 days (4 to 5 months) before your DACA expiration. Filing during this window ensures processing has the best chance of completing before expiration. If you file too early (more than 150 days), USCIS may reject your application. If your renewal is still pending when your DACA expires and you filed on time, an automatic 180-day extension of your EAD activates.
If your DACA expires before your renewal is filed or approved and you did not have a pending timely renewal, your work authorization ends and your deferred action status lapses. You can still file a renewal application — USCIS accepts DACA renewals even after expiration — but you will have a gap in work authorization until your renewal is approved. Employers cannot legally employ you without valid EAD authorization during this gap.
DACA renewal requires three forms filed together: Form I-821D (DACA request — no fee), Form I-765 (Employment Authorization Application — $495 fee), and Form I-765WS (worksheet — no fee). You also include: a copy of your current EAD (front and back), two passport-style photos, a copy of an identity document, and the $495 filing fee. Unlike initial DACA, renewal does not require submitting all the original proof documents for continuous US residence.
Not without Advance Parole. DACA alone does not authorize you to leave and re-enter the United States. You must file Form I-131 (Advance Parole) and have it approved before any international travel. The I-131 fee is $630. Advance Parole is granted for educational, humanitarian, or employment purposes. Traveling without Advance Parole can permanently terminate your DACA and create bars to re-entry. Never leave the US while your DACA is pending renewal without an approved Advance Parole document.
As of 2026, DACA renewal processing typically takes 3 to 8 months. Processing times vary by USCIS service center and current workload. Check the USCIS website for the most current processing time estimates. Because processing can take several months, filing 4 to 5 months before expiration is essential. If your renewal is pending when your current DACA expires and you filed during the recommended window, your work authorization is automatically extended 180 days.
Yes. DUI (Driving Under the Influence) is classified as a significant misdemeanor under DACA guidelines, which disqualifies an applicant from DACA. A DUI conviction — even a first offense — can result in DACA denial or termination. If you have a DUI or any other criminal charge (arrest, conviction, or pending case), consult an experienced immigration attorney before filing your renewal. Do not assume a minor offense will not affect your case — the consequences of a wrongly-filed renewal can be severe.
The I-797 is the USCIS receipt notice confirming they received your DACA renewal application. It includes your receipt number for tracking your case online. If your DACA expires while your renewal is pending and you filed on time, your I-797 receipt notice serves as evidence of your pending application. Present your expired EAD plus I-797 receipt to employers as proof of your continued employment authorization during the 180-day automatic extension period.
DACA itself does not provide a path to a Green Card or citizenship. However, some DACA recipients may be eligible for a Green Card through other means: marriage to a US citizen or permanent resident, employer sponsorship (if eligible), or other family relationships. Consult an immigration attorney to explore all possible paths. Having DACA does not prevent you from applying through other channels, though your individual circumstances and immigration history will affect eligibility.
DACA renewal applications are currently filed online through the USCIS website at myaccount.uscis.gov. USCIS transitioned DACA renewals to online filing in recent years. If paper filing is required for your situation, the mailing address is determined by your state of residence and is listed in the Form I-821D instructions on the USCIS website. Always verify the current filing location on the USCIS website before mailing, as addresses change. Never use an unofficial address provided by a third party.
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