Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a new phase in its payment modernization effort, confirming that beginning October 28, the agency will accept only electronic payments for all paper-filed forms.
The change means that anyone submitting a paper-based immigration application must now pay electronically—either by credit or debit card using Form G-1450 (Authorization for Credit Card Transactions) or through ACH debit from a U.S. bank account using Form G-1650 (Authorization for ACH Transactions).
USCIS officials say the move will streamline processing and reduce risks associated with the manual handling of money orders and checks. “Modernizing financial transactions to and from the federal government is a priority for the Trump administration,” said USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser. “Over 90 percent of our payments come from checks and money orders, causing processing delays and increasing the risk of fraud and lost payments. This is a no-brainer move.”
The agency explained that requiring electronic payment will eliminate the need for applicants or representatives to bring funds into field offices, aligning with Executive Order 14247, which mandates government-wide adoption of electronic payment systems under the “Modernizing Payments To and From America’s Bank Account” initiative.
Applicants who file online will see no change—USCIS will continue to accept online payments via the secure pay.gov platform. Those who use a USCIS online account can file electronically through either the guided online process or the electronic PDF intake system, which the agency says helps reduce errors and improve submission accuracy.
However, USCIS noted that limited exemptions will apply. Certain individuals or third-party payors who qualify may still submit traditional payments using Form G-1651 (Exemption for Paper Fee Payment). The form outlines the specific categories eligible for exemption.
The agency emphasized that the shift is part of a broader strategy to make federal services more efficient, secure, and accessible. For more information on the new payment policy and available filing options, USCIS advises applicants to visit uscis.gov or follow its updates on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
This transition, officials say, marks a major step toward bringing immigration processing in line with modern financial and technological standards—reducing administrative burdens while ensuring a faster, more transparent experience for applicants.
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