FAQ: USCIS Electronic Fee Payment Requirement
Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash. It's been a couple of months since the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) implemented the new Electronic Fee payment Requirement. We've put together a quick FAQ to help you navigate this recent change and what you should know with this new requirement.
What is the new electronic debit payment option?
In its continued efforts to streamline filings and petition processing, beginning October 28th 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has mandated the use of two electronic payment methods for all benefit requests:
Credit or Debit Cards: This remains a standard option for both online and paper filings. In this case, applicants must complete one Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions for each form transaction.
Automated Clearing House (ACH) Payments: This is the method for bank account payments. Applicants filing a paper=based application can pay by bank account. In this case, they must submit the new Authorization for ACH Transactions (Form G-1650) with their benefit request, providing bank routing and account numbers for the payment to be processed electronically. For those filing online, bank account information can be entered directly into the Pay.gov system.
Can I still pay with a check or money order?
Under certain circumstances, you may be eligible for a paper fee payment exception that will allow you to pay with a personal or business check drawn on a U.S. bank and payable in U.S. funds. If you qualify for a paper-based payment exemption, you will need to complete Form G-1651, Exemption for Paper Fee Payment.
To request an exemption, you must certify that electronic payment and collection methods are not possible and you meet 1 or more of the following requirements:
You do not have access to banking services or electronic payment systems;
Electronic disbursement would cause you undue hardship, as discussed in 31 C.F.R. Part 208;
Non-electronic transactions are necessary or desirable for national security or law enforcement reasons; or
There are other circumstances as determined by the secretary of the treasury, as reflected in regulations or other guidance.
Can a third party pay my fee?
Yes. Anyone with a bank account or credit card can pay your fee. The account holder must complete and sign Form G-1650 (for ACH) or Form G-1450 (for credit/debit) and give it to you to submit with your filing.
I’m filing my application online, do I still need to complete the authorization forms?
No. If you file your form online, the system will guide you through the process of paying your fees with a credit, debit, or prepaid card. Bank account withdrawals are also available when paying online. Once you are ready to submit your form, the system will automatically direct you to the secure Department of the Treasury site, pay.gov, to pay your fees online.
What else should I know?
You must pay for each benefit request you submit using a single payment method (credit card or ACH withdrawal) and not a combination of payment methods. This means that if you cannot combine a credit card payment and an ACH withdrawal.
Each application/benefit request must have a corresponding authorization form/s. For example, if you are filing two forms, requiring two separate filing fees, you must complete two authorization forms even if you are using the same credit card. If you are paying by credit or debit card through Pay.gov or with Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, USCIS recommends you provide a separate payment for each benefit request you submit.
Each application/benefit request may be paid with two or more accounts. Similarly, if you are filing one form but would like to divide the payments using two different cards, you can do so, but you must then complete two different authorization forms, specifying the amount that you’d like to draw from each account.
You may use Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and prepaid cards from the same card networks. Make sure the card’s credit limit can cover the fee. USCIS will reject your application, petition, or request if the card is declined, and they will not try to process your credit card payment a second time.
USCIS does not support payment by gift cards.
No Refund Policy. When you send a payment to USCIS, you agree to pay for a government service. Filing and biometric service fees are final and nonrefundable, regardless of any action USCIS takes on your application, petition, or request, or if you withdraw your request.
USCIS will still accept fee waivers. Some applicants cannot pay the filing fees due to financial or other hardship, so USCIS will still honor the fee waiver process for certain forms and benefit types. USCIS will approve a fee waiver only if you clearly demonstrate that you are unable to pay the filing fees. USCIS carefully considers the merits of each fee waiver request before making a decision.
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