The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced a new electronic payment option that allows applicants to pay immigration fees directly from U.S. bank accounts.
The change, which took effect on Friday, requires the use of Form G-1650, Authorization for ACH Transactions, submitted alongside immigration applications, petitions, or requests.
USCIS says the move is part of the federal government’s efforts to modernize payment systems, improve security, and reduce delays. Currently, more than 90% of USCIS fee payments are still made by paper check or money order—methods that can slow down processing and carry risks such as fraud or lost payments.
Under the new system, applicants now have two electronic payment options:
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ACH debit via Form G-1650 (from a U.S. bank account)
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Credit card via Form G-1450 (including prepaid cards)
Paper checks and money orders will continue to be accepted until October 28, 2025. After that date, USCIS will only process payments made through ACH debit or credit card.
Applicants are advised to ensure sufficient funds are available in their bank accounts to avoid payment rejections. Those without a U.S. bank account may continue to use credit or prepaid cards. USCIS says the transition is expected to speed up processing times and reduce payment errors and fraud risks.
