Immigration Blog

May 13, 2026

USCIS to Modernize Fee Payments with Electronic Funds

A Hispanic woman walking through a corridor looking at her phone as she submits an ACH transaction to USCIS

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a major step toward modernizing its payment systems by introducing a secure way for applicants to pay fees directly from a U.S. bank account on August 29, 2025. Beginning immediately, individuals can submit Form G-1650, Authorization for ACH Transactions, with their applications, petitions, or requests to make payments through electronic funds transfer.

This update is part of the federal government’s commitment to modernizing financial transactions under Executive Order 14247, Modernizing Payments to and from America’s Bank Account. The goal is to reduce delays caused by paper checks and money orders while lowering risks related to fraud, lost payments, or theft.

What This Means for Applicants

With the addition of the new ACH debit option, individuals now have multiple ways to pay USCIS filing fees:

  • Electronic Debit (Form G-1650): Directly from a U.S. bank account.
  • Credit Card (Form G-1450): Including prepaid credit cards.
  • Checks and Money Orders: Only accepted until October 28, 2025.

After October 28, 2025, USCIS will only accept ACH debit transactions (Form G-1650) or credit card payments (Form G-1450).

Key Things to Keep in Mind

  • Applicants must ensure their bank account has enough funds to cover the full amount of filing fees when using Form G-1650. If a transaction is denied, USCIS may reject the application, petition, or request.
  • If you do not have a U.S. bank account, you will need to use Form G-1450 for credit card payments. Prepaid credit cards can be used for this option.
  • USCIS has updated its Policy Manual to reflect ACH debit payments as an official form of payment.

Why This Matters

By introducing electronic debit transactions, USCIS is aiming to make the filing process more efficient, secure, and accessible. The agency hopes this change will speed up processing times, reduce manual handling of payments, and provide applicants with more reliable options.

 

Attorney Diana Bailey and her team bring over 20 years of experience in helping individuals through their immigration processes. Call (503) 224-0950 to schedule a free phone consultation.