The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), beginning October 28th, 2025, will require all applicants filing paper-based immigration forms to make their payments electronically. This, as stated, is to improve efficiency, reduce fraud, and comply with a federal directive to modernize government financial transactions.
According to a statement from USCIS, payments for paper-filed forms must now be made either by credit or debit card using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, or by ACH debit from a US bank account using Form G-1650, Authorization for ACH Transactions.
The new system eliminates the need for applicants and third-party payors to bring physical funds to field offices.
Part of federal transition to electronic payments
USCIS said the move supports the implementation of Executive Order 14247, titled Modernizing Payments To and From America’s Bank Account, which requires federal agencies to adopt electronic payment systems.
USCIS spokesperson Matthew Tragesser said the transition addresses long-standing issues in the agency’s payment process. “Modernizing financial transactions to and from the federal government is a priority for the Trump administration,” Tragesser said. “Over 90% of our payments come from checks and money orders, causing processing delays and increasing the risk of fraud and lost payments. This is a no-brainer move.”
Online filing and payment options continue
The agency informed that it will continue to accept online payments for forms filed electronically. USCIS encourages applicants and their accredited representatives to use their USCIS online account to file forms and pay associated fees through the secure pay.gov system.
Applicants filing online have access to guided instructions, form completion tips, and real-time status updates. The agency said these tools are put in place to simplify the filing process and reduce errors that can delay application processing.
Limited exemptions apply
USCIS clarified that certain applicants and third-party payors may be exempt from the new electronic payment rule. Those seeking exemptions must submit Form G-1651, Exemption for Paper Fee Payment, which outlines the specific criteria and qualifying circumstances.
Applicants are advised to review the form instructions to confirm whether they are eligible before submitting their applications, petitions, or requests.
Implementation and additional information
The change shows another step in USCIS’s striding effort to simplify operations and reduce administrative costs. By moving to electronic payments, the agency expects to improve payment accuracy, speed up processing times, and reduce the handling of paper checks and money orders.
For detailed information about payment requirements, exemptions, and online filing options, applicants can visit uscis.gov or follow USCIS on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
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