Fees, forms & filingPOLICY UPDATE
Transition to Electronic Payments
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual on the transition from accepting paper-based forms of payment to accepting only credit or debit cards and the new Authorization for ACH Transactions (Form G-1650). This guidance becomes effective October 28, 2025.
Effective date and application
This update, contained in Volume 1 of the Policy Manual, is effective October 28, 2025, and applies
Key changes
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual on the transition from accepting paper-based forms of payment to accepting only credit or debit cards and the new Authorization for ACH Transactions (Form G-1650). This guidance becomes effective October 28, 2025.
- Provides that the Authorization for ACH Transactions (Form G-1650) is now available for bank payments.
- Provides that, starting on October 28, 2025, USCIS will no longer accept checks, money orders or other forms of paper payments, unless an exemption is available under Exemption for Paper Fee Payment (Form G-1651).5
- Explains that an ACH payer with ACH debit block, must provide the ACH transaction codes to his or her U.S. bank prior to the ACH transaction.
- Explains the limited exemptions for paper-based payments.
