Starting October 28, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will no longer accept paper checks, cashier’s checks, or money orders for filing fees. From that date onward, all paper-filed immigration forms must include an electronic payment authorization.
This is a big change, and it affects anyone who files immigration applications or petitions by mail. The update is part of USCIS’s long-term plan to modernize payment collection, reduce errors, and speed up case processing.
Let’s break down what this means, how to pay correctly going forward, and what you can do to stay compliant.
Why USCIS Is Making the Change
USCIS has been gradually moving toward digital processing for several years. According to the agency, a large percentage of payments it receives are still made by check or money order. These paper-based methods often lead to delays, returned applications, or lost payments due to simple mistakes.
By shifting to electronic payments, USCIS aims to:
- Reduce payment processing errors
- Improve the security of applicants’ personal and financial information
- Shorten overall case processing times
It’s part of a broader federal initiative that encourages agencies to move away from paper-based transactions and adopt secure, electronic payment methods.
What You’ll Need to Do
If you’re planning to mail an immigration form to USCIS, you’ll now need to include one of two new authorization forms:
- Form G-1650 – Authorization for ACH Payment
This form allows USCIS to withdraw the filing fee directly from your U.S. bank account (checking or savings). You’ll need to provide your routing and account number, similar to how an electronic bill payment works.
- Form G-1450 – Authorization for Credit Card Transactions
This form authorizes payment using a credit or debit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover). You’ll fill in your card details, billing address, and signature to approve the transaction.
These forms replace the need for physical checks or money orders. Simply include the completed payment form on top of your application package before mailing it to the appropriate USCIS address.
Important Notes and Common Pitfalls
- Do not send paper checks or money orders that may arrive after October 28, 2025, your package will be rejected and returned.
- Double-check all payment information (bank routing numbers, card numbers, and signatures) before mailing.
- Make sure the account or card you use has enough funds to cover the filing fee. USCIS will only make one withdrawal attempt.
- If you’re submitting multiple applications, you’ll need a separate payment form for each, one Form G-1450 or G-1650 per filing.
- Payments must come from U.S. bank accounts or U.S.-issued credit cards. Foreign accounts or international cards won’t be accepted.
If you live outside the U.S. and don’t have a U.S. payment method, you can ask a trusted person in the United States to complete the payment form and make the payment on your behalf.
Exemptions for Paper Payments
USCIS will allow limited exemptions for individuals who cannot make electronic payments. To request this, you must file Form G-1651, Exemption for Paper Fee Payment, and provide evidence that:
- You don’t have access to banking or electronic payment services, or
- Electronic payment would cause undue hardship
USCIS will review exemption requests on a case-by-case basis, but approval is expected to be rare.
How This Affects Law Firms and Employers
For immigration law firms, corporate HR teams, and petitioning employers, this update means it’s time to review internal workflows. Payment instructions, client communications, and filing checklists will all need to be updated to reflect the new process.
The move also underscores a broader trend: immigration processing is becoming increasingly digital-first. Whether through online filings, digital document uploads, or now electronic payments, USCIS is moving toward a fully electronic environment.
Firms and HR teams that rely on manual methods will benefit from using technology platforms that can track form changes, payment rules, and compliance updates automatically ensuring nothing slips through the cracks.
Staying Ahead with Imagility
Immigration compliance can change quickly, from updated filing fees to new payment rules like this one. That’s where Imagility makes a real difference.
Imagility’s intelligent immigration platform keeps you updated with every USCIS change, including payment requirements, form updates, and filing deadlines. Our automated checklists, smart workflows, and real-time alerts help attorneys, HR managers, and petitioners stay compliant without manual effort.
When new forms like G-1450 or G-1650 are introduced, Imagility automatically updates your petition-building process to ensure you’re using the correct version. With Imagility, your firm stays one step ahead, always aligned with USCIS’s latest digital transformation goals.
In summary
Starting October 28, 2025, USCIS will stop accepting paper checks and money orders for immigration fees. Instead, payments must be made electronically through Form G-1650 (ACH) or Form G-1450 (credit card).
Prepare early, update your workflows, and rely on a trusted immigration management platform like Imagility to guide you through every update, efficiently, accurately, and on time.
