USCIS Payment Modernization: Your Guide to New Electronic Fee Rules

USCIS has modernized its payment system, moving away from paper-based methods to a more efficient and secure electronic process. As of October 28, 2025, USCIS no longer accepts paper checks or money orders for paper-filed forms . This change aligns with a federal executive order to modernize government payments.

What Are the New Payment Methods?

For any paper-filed application, you now have only two payment options:

1. Credit/Debit Card: Use Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions. You can use Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover cards issued by a U.S. bank
2. ACH Debit from a U.S. Bank Account: Use the new Form G-1650, Authorization for ACH Transactions. This allows USCIS to securely pull funds directly from your checking or savings account .

Step-by-Step Guide to Paying with Form G-1650 (ACH Debit)

1. Complete the Form: Download the latest Form G-1650 from the USCIS website. Fill it out completely, including: 

• The full legal name of the applicant/petitioner.
• Selection of Personal or Business account.
• Selection of Checking or Savings account.
• The correct 9-digit bank routing number and account number.
• The exact dollar amount of the filing fee.
• Your signature .

2. Place it in Your Package: The Form G-1650 must be placed on top of your entire application packet when you mail it .
3. Check for ACH Debit Blocks: Contact your bank to ensure there is no “ACH debit block” on your account. If there is, you must provide them with the specific USCIS Agency Location Code (ALC) for the lockbox you are mailing to so they can “whitelist” USCIS transactions .
4. Ensure Sufficient Funds: Make sure your account has enough money to cover the fee. If the payment is returned for insufficient funds, USCIS will try once more. If it fails again, your entire application will be rejected .

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

• Pitfall: Submitting a single payment for multiple applications.

Solution: Provide a separate payment authorization form (G-1450 or G-1650) for each benefit request. If one form in a package is defective and you used one payment, the entire package will be rejected .

• Pitfall: Splitting a single application’s fee between a credit card and an ACH debit.

Solution: Use only one payment method per application. You can split a fee across two credit cards (using two G-1450 forms) or two bank accounts (using two G-1650 forms), but you cannot mix G-1450 and G-1650 for one form .

What If You Don’t Have a U.S. Bank Account?

If you are outside the U.S. or don’t have a U.S. bank account, you can still pay using Form G-1450 with a U.S.-issued credit, debit, or prepaid card.