USCIS Will Soon Require Electronic Payments for Paper-Filed Applications: What Applicants Need to Know

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a significant change affecting anyone preparing to file an immigration application, petition, or request.
Starting October 28, USCIS will no longer accept paper checks or money orders for most paper-filed forms. Instead, applicants will be required to submit payments electronically.

This shift is part of a broader government effort to modernize and streamline financial transactions. USCIS has stated that electronic payments help reduce delays, minimize lost payments, and improve overall processing efficiency.

Beginning October 28, payments for paper-filed USCIS forms must be made electronically using one of two methods:

✔ Credit or debit card

Submit Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions

✔ ACH debit from a U.S. bank account

Submit Form G-1650, Authorization for ACH Transactions

These forms securely authorize USCIS to process payments directly.
USCIS will also continue accepting online payments for forms that can be filed through a USCIS online account.

Why USCIS Is Making This Change

USCIS explained that:

• Moving to electronic payments supports a standardized government-wide payment system.
• Most payments are still made by check or money order, which can slow down case processing.
• Electronic transactions help reduce fraud, lost payments, and manual errors.

The agency described the shift as a practical step toward a more efficient and secure process.
This update is administrative in nature and does not reflect any change in immigration policy, eligibility standards, or filing rights.

Are There Any Exceptions?

Yes. In limited situations, some applicants or third-party payors may still be exempt from the electronic payment requirement.
USCIS will specify these exceptions on the instructions for each form.

How This Affects You

If you will be filing a paper application on or after October 28, you should:

• Review the new payment requirements before submitting your case
• Ensure you are using the correct payment authorization form
• Plan ahead if you normally submit checks or money orders
• Confirm whether your specific form is eligible for online filing

Electronic payments will apply to most people, including individuals hiring an immigration attorney or those paying on behalf of family members.

At Zhang-Louie PLLC, we closely monitor USCIS updates to ensure our clients’ cases follow the most current requirements.
Our team will:

• Guide you on the correct payment method based on your filing
• Handle the preparation of required authorization forms
• Help you determine whether online filing is available for your case
• Make sure your application package is fully compliant with the new rules

Our goal is to help you file confidently and avoid delays, especially during periods of procedural change.

If you’re preparing to file an immigration application and want to ensure everything is submitted correctly, our office is here to help.