USCIS Officially Phases Out Checks, Money Orders
Back in August, USCIS announced it would modernize how people can pay their filing fees. As part of its reforms, the federal agency began accepting ACH payments on August 27. It also stated that foreign nationals had until October 28 to pay filing fees with checks and money orders.
That deadline has now passed. Unless they qualify for a waiver, applicants must now use debit, credit, or ACH transactions to cover their filing fees.
Paper filings must now include digital payment authorization
With the paper check and money order phaseout now complete, all foreign nationals must pay USCIS through digital payments. This includes petitions made via the mail.
To pay their filing fees, applicants will now need to fill out and send one of the following forms to USCIS:
- Form G-1650, Authorization for ACH Transactions, or
- Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions.
These forms authorize USCIS to charge your credit card or make an ACH debit request from your bank account. To increase security, the federal agency will destroy the G-1650 or G-1450 petition once your payment gets completed or rejected.
Note that USCIS will still process paper-based payments submitted before October 28. If you sent a check or money order on or before October 27, USCIS will still accept and process your transaction.
Exceptions still allowed in select cases
In some cases, applicants can still request to pay their filing fees with checks or money orders. However, they need to fill out Form G-1651 and meet at least one of the following criteria:
- The individual does not have access to a bank account or electronic payment services.
- Electronic payments would cause significant hardship to the filer.
- Paper-based transactions are necessary for national security or law enforcement.
- The Treasury Department identifies other circumstances where non-electronic payments are permitted.
Need help filing your petition and paying USCIS fees? Manifest’s experienced immigration attorneys can help. Request a consultation today to get the support you need to move your case forward.
