Many schools are not need blind for international students. Many look at the international pool for money via full pay. You are already signaling that you have need when you can’t even pay the application fee. Requesting a fee waiver on the common and coalition apps lead you to questions as to what sort of financial hardship your family has that you should be granted this waiver. Having gotten a fee waiver on the SAT or ACT is one of the items listed. Just not wanting to pay for the fees, or being a bit tight on the cash right now is not one of the options. A catastrophe like death of a parent, a hurricane destroying your home, are examples of reasons why someone might need a fee waiver at the time , but have resources to pay for college later.
You can call and ask if there are fee waivers for a college. Research on internet if done schools offering any. Sometimes, schools will give, just for asking. My son got a fee waiver from Pitt after he toured the school. Sometimes showing some interest does being offers of fee waivers. But you can’t count on them.