This new rule is effective immediately and recipients can pay fees directly to USCIS by completing and signing Form G-1650 Authorization for ACH Transactions and filing their applications, petitions, or requests.

This move is consistent with Executive Order 14247, Modernizing Payments to and from America’s Bank Accounts, and is intended to reduce the time and manpower required to process checks and money orders, as well as reduce the risk of fraud, lost payments, and theft.

“We have a responsibility to the American people to deliver services as efficiently and safely as possible,” said USCIS spokesman Matthew J. Trageser. More than 90% of our payments come from checks and money orders, which causes delays in regular service and increases the risk of fraud and lost payments. That’s why we aim to provide a secure and reliable service.”

This new ACH debit payment option is in addition to the existing option of paying by credit card using Form G-1450, which gives individuals multiple options for paying the required fees.

USCIS will accept paper check and money order payments in addition to credit and debit payments until October 28, 2025. After October 28, USCIS will only accept ACH debit transactions using Form G-1650 or credit card payments using Form G-1450.

USCIS has also issued updated guidance in the policy manual to include ACH debit transactions as an acceptable form of payment using Form G-1650.

Applicants and petitioners must ensure that their account has sufficient funds to cover all filing fees. USCIS may deny any application, petition, or request if the transaction is declined.

If you do not have a U.S. bank account, you cannot use Form G-1650. However, prepaid credit cards can be used to pay the filing fee for Form G-1450, Credit Card Transactions.