Paying USCIS Filing Fees Electronically
USCIS recently announced that it has implemented an ACH (Automated Clearing House) debit payment option for paying filing fees, and that it will phase out accepting paper checks and money orders by October 28, 2025. This means that, after October 28, 2025, USCIS will accept only ACH debit payments using new Form G-1650 or credit card payments using Form G-1450. This transition is in response to Executive Order 14247 which mandates that all federal agencies phase out paper checks and make electronic payments a requirement (subject to limited exceptions and accommodations). The rationale underlying this mandate is that paper-based forms of payment increase costs, delays, risks of fraud, lost payments, and inefficiencies. Electronic fund transfers made through an ACH payment method are faster, more efficient and less likely to become lost in the mail.
Requirements of Forms G-1650 and G-1450
USCIS will reject any applications, petitions, or other submissions that do not contain a valid form of payment for the correct fee or do not otherwise meet the acceptance criteria. Thus, applicants, petitioners, and attorneys acting on their behalf bear the burden of ensuring that their accounts (whether debit or credit) have sufficient funds to cover all filing fees.
Form G-1650 – Authorization for ACH Transaction
The new Form G-1650 must be used for paying filing fees via electronic transfer. All ACH payments via Form G-1650 must be made from a U.S. bank account, payable in U. S. currency. If the filer/payor does not have access to a U.S. bank account or credit from a U.S. bank, the requestor may use a prepaid card to pay the filing fee via Form G-1450. The applicant, petitioners, or attorneys acting on their behalf must completely fill out and sign Form G-1650. USCIS will reject the ACH payment for any of the following reasons:
The payor attempts to split the fee payment between an ACH payment and a credit card, debit card or prepaid card.
The payor fails to identify whether the payment is to be drawn from a business or personal account.
The payor fails to identify whether the payment is to be drawn from a checking or savings account.
The payor fails to authorize the correct payment amount.
The payor fails to provide the correct bank routing number and account number.
Form G-1650 lacks an authorized signature or contains a stamped or typewritten signature.
Payors may need to contact their banks and provide the appropriate Agency Location Codes to remove the ACH Debit Block to permit DHS to debit funds from the bank account. 2 The Agency Location Codes are listed in the Instructions to Form 1650.
If the ACH payment is declined for insufficient funds, USCIS will reprocess the transaction one time. If the ACH payment is declined a second time, USCIS may reject or deny the filing. If an ACH payment is returned as unpayable after the benefit request has been approved, USCIS will likely issue a NOIR (Notice of Intent to Revoke) and give the submitter an opportunity to cure by promptly paying the correct fee amount.
Form G-1450 – Authorization for Credit Card Debit Cards, and Pre-Paid Credit Cards Transactions
Form G-1450 must be used to pay filing fees by credit card, debit card, and prepaid card. As with Form G-1650, the funds to be paid via the Form G-1450 authorization must come from a U.S. bank and be paid in U.S. currency. USCIS may reject the credit, debit, or prepaid card payment for any of the following reasons:
The payor attempts to split the fee between an ACH payment and a credit, debit or prepaid card payment
The payor submits one Form G-1450 for multiple benefit requests
Fails to provide the cardholder’s first and last name
Fails to provide the cardholder’s credit card number or provides an invalid number
Fails to provide the card expiration date or
Fails to provide any authorized payment amount or fails to authorize the total amount to cover the required fee or fees
The Form G-1450 lacks an authorized signature
If the credit card, debit card, or prepaid card is declined, USCIS will reject the application or petition. USCIS will not attempt to reprocess the payment a second time.
Have questions or want an attorney to take care of your application? Please contact Hope Immigration today!