| Photo by Štefan Štefančík on Unsplash
NEW YORK – The United States Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS) is rolling out a modernization initiative that will allow fee payments to be made using electronic funds, marking a significant shift from traditional payment methods like checks or money orders
USCIS will begin accepting payments directly from bank accounts, streamlining the process for applicants and petitioners. This move is expected to reduce physical paperwork and manual processing delays.
The new system is designed to enhance efficiency by facilitating faster payment verification, expedited case intake, and potentially shorter wait times for certain services.
USCIS said the move aligns with Executive Order 14247, “Modernizing Payments to and from America’s Bank Accounts,” and is aimed at reducing the time and manpower required to process checks and money orders, as well as minimizing the risks of fraud, lost payments, and theft.
“We have a responsibility to the American people to operate as efficiently and securely as possible,” said USCIS Spokesman Matthew J. Tragesser. “Over 90% of our payments come from checks and money orders, causing processing delays and increasing the risk of fraud and lost payments. America deserves better, and we intend to deliver.”
USCIS will continue to accept paper checks and money orders, in addition to credit and debit payments, until October 28, 2025. After that date, USCIS will discontinue paper checks and money orders. Only two payment methods will be accepted: ACH debit transactions using Form G-1630 and Credit card payments using Form G-1430. The phased approach provides applicants with time to adjust, educate themselves, and prepare.
Applicants navigating USCIS fee payments—especially with the shift toward electronic funds—often encounter a range of challenges that can delay or complicate their immigration process. The most common issues include:
- Submitting the wrong fee is one of the most frequent reasons applications are rejected. USCIS requires exact amounts, and fee changes can happen without widespread notice.
- Using an unsupported bank, an expired card, or incorrect routing/account numbers can cause EFT failures.
- If the bank account doesn’t have sufficient funds at the time of processing, the payment will be declined, and the application may be rejected.
- Some applicants accidentally submit payments twice, especially when they are unsure if the first attempt was successful.
- Even with electronic systems, technical glitches or bank-side delays can slow down confirmation.
- Applicants may worry about entering sensitive financial data online, especially if they’re unfamiliar with digital banking.
- Without immediate confirmation or tracking, applicants may feel uncertain whether their payment has been received and processed.
According to USCIS, it has alerts and scam warnings. Regular updates warn applicants about fake payment portals or phishing attempts. Some banks offer alerts or verification steps to confirm EFT transactions to government agencies.
