On August 29, 2025, USCIS announced two significant changes to its fee payment methods. Read below for those important details.
ACH Transaction
USCIS will now accept electronic debit from a U.S. bank account to pay filing fees. ACH stands for “Automatic Clearing House.” It’s a method of paying directly using bank account information. To pay by ACH transaction, complete the new Form G-1650, Authorization for ACH Transactions. The payer can choose to pay via checking or savings account, and can select whether the account is business or personal. Note that the bank account must be based in the United States; payment will be rejected if the funds are drawn from a foreign account.
Physical Methods of Payment No Longer Accepted
After October 28, 2025, USCIS will no longer accept paper checks or money orders for filing fees. Payers have the option of paying using either ACH transaction or debit/credit card. Debit and credit card payments must be made using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions. Note that prepaid credit/debit cards are acceptable.
If your petition was mailed to USCIS before October 28, 2025, but is not received by that date, it is likely your petition will be rejected and you will need to re-submit using some sort of electronic payment. It is, therefore, advisable to transition to using either Form G-1650 or G-1450 before the cutoff date of October 28, 2025.
Impact
This new policy may largely impact individuals applying for immigration benefits who may not have U.S.-based bank accounts or credit/debit cards. In these cases, a prepaid debit card may be the best option.
Public school districts may also consider communicating with their finance departments or superintendents now to establish a procedure for paying. If working with an immigration attorney, you may also be able to coordinate with your attorney to arrange for electronic payment.
Conclusion
After October 28, 2025, all USCIS filing fees must be paid with either ACH transaction or credit/debit card. ACH transaction using Form G-1650 is now available for use. Individuals and school districts applying for immigration benefits should begin thinking about payment strategy now to avoid delays in application/petition filings.
