Effective October 28, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will transition to a primarily electronic payment system, marking a significant shift in how applicants, petitioners, and their legal representatives pay filing fees. Effective immediately, this change is part of USCIS’s broader effort to modernize and streamline payment processing, improve security, and reduce delays caused by paper-based payment methods. The transition aims to reduce issues such as causing processing delays and fraud lost payments that are often associated with traditional payment methods like checks and money orders.
Currently, nearly 90% of payments received by USCIS are still made via paper checks or money orders. With this transition, USCIS will stop accepting those forms of payment—except under limited exemptions—and will instead require payment via ACH debit, credit and debit payments, or electronic debit. This new payment method is designed to ensure greater efficiency and security, and it is essential that applicants, petitioners, or those submitting an application, petition, or request pay the required fees using the approved electronic methods. It is also important to pay the correct fee amount and required fees for all application, petition, or request filings, as failure to do so may result in rejection of the submission. Applicants must pay required fees using the new payment method and ensure they pay the correct fee to avoid rejection.
Key Implementation Dates
- Now through October 27, 2025: USCIS accepts all payment methods — paper checks, money orders, ACH debit (Form G-1650), and credit/debit cards (Form G-1450). The existing option of paying by paper check, money order, or credit card remains available until the transition date.
- Starting October 28, 2025: Only payments submitted in an acceptable form—ACH debit using Form G-1650 (applicants must use Form G-1650 for ACH debit transactions from a U.S. bank account) or credit/debit card using Form G-1450—will be accepted for USCIS filings, unless an exemption is granted.
Applicants must pay fees using the appropriate electronic payment method and the correct form as specified by USCIS.
Background on the Transition
This transition follows Executive Order 14247, “Modernizing Payments To and From America’s Bank Account”, issued in March 2025. USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser stated that this modernization effort is designed to improve efficiency, security, and reduce administrative burdens in fee payment processes. In line with the order, USCIS issued Policy Alert PA-2025-19 on August 29, 2025, announcing the required shift away from paper-based payments. This transition moves payments away from checks and money orders to electronic payment options, such as ACH debit transactions and credit card payments. ACH debit transactions are processed directly from applicants’ bank accounts, providing a secure and modernized payment method. The new system reduces the manpower required to process checks and money orders, streamlining operations and minimizing processing time. Corresponding updates were also made to the USCIS Policy Manual (Volume 1, Part B – Submission of Benefit Requests, Chapter 3: Fees), effective October 28, 2025.
New Payment Methods Introduced
Form G-1650: Authorization for ACH Transactions
Applicants and petitioners can now authorize direct debit of filing fees from a U.S. bank account using ACH debit by submitting Form G-1650, which enables transactions using Form G-1650 to authorize ACH debit (direct debit) payments directly from a U.S. bank account. This payment method is available immediately.
Payments using Form G-1650 are processed as ACH debit (direct debit) transactions using the bank account information provided on the form. Debit transactions using Form G-1650 offer a secure alternative to traditional payment methods such as paper checks and money orders. In contrast, card payments using Form G-1450 allow for credit or debit card payments.
Form G-1450: Authorization for Credit Card Transactions
Credit card payments using Form G-1450 are accepted for all eligible filings, allowing applicants to pay fees via U.S. credit, debit, or prepaid credit cards. This is especially helpful for applicants who do not have a U.S. bank account, as they can use prepaid credit cards to pay USCIS fees by submitting Form G-1450.
Applicants have the option of paying by credit card, including prepaid credit cards, for their USCIS fees.
Each application must be paid with either Form G-1450 or credit card, not both.
Note: Both payment methods are separate. A single application or request cannot be paid with a combination of ACH and card payments.
Upcoming Form for Exemption Requests
USCIS has indicated that it will release Form G-1651 by October 28, 2025, for individuals requesting exemptions from electronic payment. Limited details are currently available, but exemptions may apply to individuals who lack access to U.S. banking or electronic payment systems.
Until the form is available, paper-based payments such as personal checks, money orders, or cashier’s checks may still be accepted under narrow conditions. USCIS will only accept paper check or money order payments for petitions under specific exemption conditions.
Practice Considerations & Common Concerns
Case Tracking Impacts
Many attorneys and representatives rely on paper checks for tracking filings. With electronic payments, this method will no longer be viable. There is currently no clear guidance from USCIS on how electronic payments will support case tracking.
Limited Stakeholder Input
USCIS has not indicated that stakeholder feedback was sought in shaping this policy, raising further concerns in the legal community.
Payment Submission Tips
General Best Practices
- Use U.S. banks only: All payments must be made from a U.S.-based account and in U.S. dollars.
- Wet or scanned signatures on payment forms are accepted, but must be clear.
- Place Form G-1650 or G-1450 on top of the application or petition package.
- No mix-and-match: Only one payment method (ACH or card) is allowed per form or filing.
Using Form G-1650 for ACH Debit
- Confirm the account has sufficient funds and is not subject to debit blocks.
- Enter all bank details accurately, including account number and routing number.
- For businesses, list the company name in the “name” field as needed.
- Submit a separate G-1650 for each filing, even when using the same account.
- When splitting payments between accounts, ensure the total adds up correctly and submit one G-1650 per transaction.
- ACH payments may be attempted twice by USCIS before rejection.
Payment Failures
- If a payment is unfunded, no receipt will be issued—or it will be voided.
- USCIS may issue a Notice of Intent to Revoke (NOIR) for approvals made on later-rejected payments.
- All rejected applications must be resubmitted with a new payment authorization.
Filing Examples
The table below illustrates how to structure fee payments for various filing scenarios, including options for ACH debit and credit card methods. This helps ensure efficient, secure, and timely processing by reducing delays associated with traditional payment methods.
| Scenario | What to Submit |
| One application paid from one account | One Form G-1650 |
| One application split between two accounts | Two Forms G-1650, totaling the full fee |
| Three applications from one account | Three Forms G-1650 |
| Five applications: 2 via ACH, 3 via credit card | Submit in two separate packages: 2 with G-1650s and 3 with G-1450s |
Final Notes
- Only ACH or credit card payments will be accepted starting October 28, 2025, unless an approved exemption is obtained.
- Each filing must use a single payment method.
- USCIS will destroy Forms G-1650 after processing—regardless of whether a case is accepted or rejected—so resubmissions must include new payment forms.
Stay Informed
As this is a major shift in USCIS processing, applicants and legal representatives are strongly encouraged to:
- Review updated instructions for Forms G-1650 and G-1450
- Monitor the USCIS Policy Manual and payment pages for updates
- Begin transitioning clients to electronic payment methods ahead of the October 28 deadline
If you have questions about how this change may impact your filings or need assistance preparing for the USCIS electronic payment transition, contact our Chicago, IL, office for further guidance.