USCIS switched to electronic payment only for most immigration forms and fees

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) no longer accepts checks, money orders, or cash for most immigration petitions and applications. As of a date that varies by form type, you must pay by credit card, debit card, or electronic bank transfer through their online filing system or payment portal. This shift affects anyone filing forms like I-130 (family sponsorship), I-140 (employment sponsorship), I-485 (green card application), and dozens of others.

The mandate does not apply uniformly to every USCIS form. Some applications filed by mail still accept traditional payment methods, and certain fee waivers or reductions follow different rules. Understanding which forms require electronic payment, what payment methods work, and what to do if you cannot pay online will save you from delays or rejected applications.

Key Takeaways

  • USCIS requires electronic payment (credit card, debit card, or bank transfer) for most online-filed forms, with the transition date varying by form type.
  • Forms filed by mail may still accept checks or money orders, but you must verify the current payment method for your specific form before submitting.
  • The USCIS website lists which forms require electronic payment and which still accept traditional methods; check the form's instructions page before paying.
  • If you cannot pay electronically, you may request a fee waiver or reduction on Form I-912, which does not require payment to submit.
  • Paying by credit or debit card online incurs a convenience fee of roughly 2 percent, while bank transfer typically has no additional fee.

Which forms require electronic payment and which do not

USCIS transitioned forms to electronic payment in phases. Forms filed through their online system (USCIS.gov) require electronic payment. This includes I-130, I-140, I-485, I-765 (work permit), I-131 (advance parole), I-539 (extension of stay), and many others. The exact list and transition dates appear on each form's instructions page under "Fee" or "Payment" sections.

Forms filed by mail—such as I-864 (Affidavit of Support) when submitted alone, or certain I-539 extensions—may still accept checks or money orders. However, USCIS has been moving toward electronic-only payment for years, so you must check the specific form's current instructions before preparing your payment. Do not assume a form accepts checks just because it did last year.

To find the payment method for your form, go to USCIS.gov, search for your form number, and open the most recent version of the instructions PDF. The payment section will state whether electronic payment is required, optional, or whether checks are still accepted. Print or save this page as proof of what method was current when you filed.

How to pay electronically through USCIS

If you are filing online through USCIS.gov, the payment portal appears as part of the application process. You enter your form information, review the fee amount, and then select your payment method at checkout. The system accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards, as well as electronic bank transfers (ACH) from a U.S. checking or savings account.

Credit and debit card payments incur a convenience fee—typically around 2 percent of the total fee, though the exact percentage varies. A bank transfer (ACH) usually has no additional fee but may take longer to process. The payment is processed immediately, and you receive a confirmation number and receipt. Keep this receipt; it serves as proof of payment if USCIS later questions whether you paid.

If you are filing by mail and your form still accepts electronic payment as an option, you can pay through USCIS's online payment portal without filing the form online. You will need your receipt number to reference the payment when you mail your paper application.

What to do if you cannot pay electronically

If you do not have access to a credit card, debit card, or U.S. bank account, you have limited options. Some USCIS field offices may accept payment in person, though this is not may provide and varies by location. Call your local USCIS office to ask whether they accept in-person payment and what forms of payment they take.

Your primary recourse is to request a fee waiver or reduction using Form I-912. This form does not require payment to submit—you file it along with your main application to ask USCIS to reduce or waive your fee based on income and household size. USCIS will review your financial information and decide whether to grant the waiver. This process can take weeks, so submit I-912 at the same time as your main application, not after.

If you are filing by mail and your form still accepts checks, you can mail a check even if electronic payment is preferred. However, this may slow processing because USCIS staff must manually deposit the check rather than process it automatically.

Convenience fees and payment costs

Paying by credit or debit card online adds a convenience fee to your total cost. This fee is separate from the USCIS filing fee itself and is charged by the payment processor, not by USCIS. For example, if your filing fee is $640, a 2 percent convenience fee would add roughly $12.80 to your total payment. The exact percentage is shown on the payment screen before you confirm.

Bank transfer (ACH) typically has no convenience fee, making it the cheapest option if you have access to a U.S. bank account. However, ACH transfers may take one to two business days to process, whereas card payments are instant.

If you pay by check or money order through the mail, there is no convenience fee, but this option is disappearing for most forms. Verify whether your form still accepts it before choosing this route.

What happens if you pay the wrong amount or use the wrong method

If you submit a check when electronic payment is required, USCIS will likely reject your application and return it to you. The rejection letter will explain that payment was not received in the correct form. You will then need to resubmit your application with electronic payment, which restarts the processing timeline.

If you underpay or overpay, USCIS will contact you. For underpayment, they will give you a deadline to submit the remaining balance. For overpayment, they may refund the excess or apply it to a future filing if you request it. Do not assume an overpayment will be automatically refunded; follow USCIS's instructions in their letter.

Keep your payment confirmation number and receipt for at least one year after filing. If USCIS claims they did not receive your payment, this documentation proves you paid and when.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay USCIS by wire transfer or PayPal?

No. USCIS accepts only credit cards, debit cards, and ACH bank transfers through their official payment portal. Wire transfers, PayPal, and other payment services are not accepted. If someone tells you to wire money to USCIS, it is a scam.

What if I do not have a U.S. bank account or credit card?

Request a fee waiver or reduction using Form I-912. You can also visit a USCIS field office in person to ask whether they accept payment there, though this is not may provide. Some applicants use a U.S. bank account opened by a family member or sponsor, with that person's permission, to make the payment.

Do I have to pay the convenience fee if I use a credit card?

Yes. The convenience fee is mandatory when paying by card and is shown on the payment screen before you confirm. It is not charged by USCIS but by the payment processor. Using ACH bank transfer avoids this fee if you have access to a U.S. bank account.

Can my employer or sponsor pay my USCIS fee for me?

Yes, if they have access to your application and can log into your USCIS account or file on your behalf. They can use their own credit card or bank account to pay. However, the application itself must be filed under your name or your authorized representative's name.

What if my payment was processed but USCIS says they did not receive it?

Contact USCIS immediately with your payment confirmation number and receipt. Request that they search their records for the payment. If the payment genuinely did not post, ask USCIS whether you need to resubmit or whether they can manually credit your account. Do not pay again without confirmation from USCIS that the first payment was lost.