USCIS Introduces New Payment Option: Pay Immigration Filing Fees Directly from Your Bank Account

I.S. Law Firm
Sep 21
2 min read

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a significant update that will affect how applicants pay for their immigration filings. Starting immediately, applicants can submit filing fees directly from a U.S. bank account by using the newly introduced Form G-1650, Authorization for ACH Transactions.

This change reflects USCIS’s broader efforts to modernize its systems, improve security, and reduce delays caused by traditional payment methods.

Why This Change Matters

Until now, most applicants relied on paper checks or money orders to cover filing fees. While widely used, these methods often carried risks:

Lost or stolen checks could disrupt the application process.
Mail delivery delays sometimes postponed the acceptance of applications.
Rejected or bounced payments could result in the denial or rejection of a case.

The new ACH debit option allows applicants to make payments directly from their bank accounts, ensuring a more secure, reliable, and efficient process.

How You Can Pay USCIS Filing Fees

Applicants now have two main options to pay filing fees:

Bank Account Payment (ACH Debit):
- Submit Form G-1650 with your application package.
- Funds will be withdrawn directly from your designated U.S. bank account.
Credit Card Payment:
- Submit Form G-1450 with your application.
- USCIS accepts both credit cards and prepaid credit cards.

Important Deadline: Starting October 28, 2025, USCIS will no longer accept paper checks or money orders. From that date forward, only bank account payments or credit card payments will be accepted.

Things to Keep in Mind

Sufficient Funds: Ensure your bank account has enough money to cover the filing fee in full. Insufficient funds may lead to the rejection of your entire application.
Application Rejection Risk: If your payment fails for any reason, USCIS may return your application unprocessed.
Credit Card Option Remains: If you do not have a U.S. bank account, you can still pay with a credit card, including prepaid cards.

What This Means for Applicants

This update is a welcome development for applicants and their families. It makes the payment process:

Faster – no more waiting for paper checks to clear.
Safer – eliminates the risks of lost or stolen checks.
More reliable – ensures that payments are processed directly and securely.

By streamlining the payment process, USCIS aims to reduce errors and speed up application handling times.

How I.S. Law Firm Can Help

At I.S. Law Firm, we closely monitor every USCIS update to ensure that our clients benefit from the most accurate and up-to-date information. When preparing your immigration application, we will help you choose the best payment method and make sure all required forms are completed correctly to avoid unnecessary delays.

If you have questions about this new payment option or any aspect of your immigration case, contact our office today to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced immigration attorneys.