Is ACH safer than a credit card for USCIS?

Both work. ACH avoids card declines due to fraud flags or limits, which can cause immediate rejection. If you use a card, tell your bank a large government charge is coming.

Can I still use a money order?

Not after October 28. From today, USCIS accepts only ACH (G-1650) or credit/debit (G-1450) for most filings.

Do I need a separate payment form for each fee?

Usually, yes—use a separate G-1450 for each fee and follow the packet-stacking order in USCIS instructions.

Published: Oct 29, 2025|Updated or Revised for Accuracy: Dec 05, 2025

USCIS Updates

It’s Official: USCIS Stopped Accepting Checks Today (Oct 29, 2025)

Effective Oct 29: USCIS no longer accepts checks or money orders—pay filing fees by ACH (G-1650) or credit/debit card (G-1450).

By Alicja

As of Oct 29, USCIS no longer accepts paper checks or money orders. Pay filing fees by ACH (Form G-1650) or credit/debit card (Form G-1450) to avoid rejection. Our guide shows how to pay correctly, prevent declines, and keep your case moving.

What changed (and why it matters today)

As of today, October 29, USCIS no longer accepts paper checks or money orders for most immigration filings. If you mail a packet with a check now, it’s likely to be rejected for improper payment and sent back, costing you time and, in some cases, your filing window. USCIS announced this transition in late August and confirmed the October 28 cutoff on its fees page and news release.

USCIS says the shift is about speeding up intake, reducing errors, and improving security by moving to electronic payments. From today forward, payment is electronic only: ACH debit (Form G-1650) or credit/debit card (Form G-1450).

Your payment options: starting now

1) ACH debit from a U.S. bank account (Form G-1650)

Include Form G-1650 on top of your paper filing, or pay through your online USCIS account when available. Double-check your routing and account numbers and make sure your bank doesn’t have an ACH debit block.

2) Credit/debit card (Form G-1450)

If you’re mailing a packet to a USCIS lockbox, place Form G-1450 on top. USCIS provides clear steps on its “Pay with a credit card by mail” page; each fee generally needs its own G-1450. (For online filings, you’ll pay through the portal instead.)

"I mailed a check yesterday. What happens?"

USCIS stated it would accept checks through October 28. From today, filings with checks or money orders are no longer accepted and are generally rejected. If yours is in transit with a check, watch for a rejection and be ready to refile fast using ACH or card.

Step-by-step: pay the right way (and avoid hiccups)

If you’ll use ACH (G-1650):

Confirm the correct fee on the USCIS site.
Make sure your bank account is U.S.-based and has no debit block.
Put Form G-1650 on top of your packet and double-check numbers/signatures.

If you’ll use a card (G-1450):

Complete Form G-1450 and place it on top of your packet.
Ensure the card has enough limit and won’t flag the charge as fraud—USCIS won’t retry declined cards.
Use separate G-1450s for separate fees unless USCIS says otherwise.

Helpful Immiva guides:

How to pay (with screenshots and tips): How to Pay USCIS Filing Fees and ACH Option Guide.
Doing biometrics soon? Biometrics 101or need to move the date? Reschedule biometrics the right way.
Need to file an I-539? Start here: Form I-539 Guide and H-4 change of status overview.

Who’s affected?

Anyone paying USCIS filing fees by mail—family and employment cases, benefits like EAD renewals, naturalization, etc. Online filers will continue to pay electronically inside their account. Some form-specific exceptions may apply; always check the form instructions and USCIS pages for your category.

Quick FAQs

Is ACH safer than a credit card for USCIS?: Both work. ACH avoids card declines due to fraud flags or limits, which can cause immediate rejection. If you use a card, tell your bank a large government charge is coming.
Can I still use a money order?: Not after October 28. From today, USCIS accepts only ACH (G-1650) or credit/debit (G-1450) for most filings.
Do I need a separate payment form for each fee?: Usually, yes—use a separate G-1450 for each fee and follow the packet-stacking order in USCIS instructions.

Conclusion

Today’s change is big, but it’s manageable. Before you mail anything, swap checks for ACH or card, use the correct payment form, and keep receipts. If you’re close to a visa-bulletin filing window or a work authorization deadline, getting payment right the first time keeps your case moving.

Need a hand? Our plain-English walkthroughs make this simple: start with How to Pay USCIS Filing Fees, then prep the rest of your packet with our guides to Biometrics 101 and Form I-539.