USCIS changed how it accepts payments and raised some filing fees in 2024
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) stopped accepting checks and money orders for most immigration forms starting October 2, 2023. The agency now requires credit cards, debit cards, or electronic bank transfers for nearly all filings. At the same time, USCIS raised fees on many common forms — including work permits, green card applications, and citizenship petitions — though some forms stayed the same and a few decreased.
The shift away from paper payments means you cannot mail a check with your application anymore. If you file by mail, you must include a separate payment by card or bank transfer. If you file online through USCIS's myUSCIS account, payment happens during the application process. Understanding which payment methods work for your specific form and what the current fee is will keep your application from being rejected or delayed.
Key Takeaways
- USCIS no longer accepts checks or money orders for most forms; you must pay by credit card, debit card, or electronic bank transfer.
- Filing fees increased for many common forms in 2024, including I-485 (green card), I-131 (work permit), and N-400 (citizenship), but some forms like I-130 (family petition) did not change.
- You can pay online through myUSCIS during the application process or by mail using a separate payment form if you file by post.
- If you file by mail, include Form G-1450 (authorization to charge a card) or Form G-1451 (authorization to charge a bank account) with your application packet.
- Rejected payments or missing payment information will cause USCIS to return your entire application, delaying your case by weeks or months.
Which payment methods USCIS accepts now
USCIS accepts three payment methods: credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), debit cards (same networks), and electronic bank transfers from a U.S. bank account. You cannot pay with cash, checks, money orders, wire transfers, or PayPal. If you file online through myUSCIS, the system accepts all three methods during checkout. If you file by mail, you must include either Form G-1450 (to authorize a credit or debit card charge) or Form G-1451 (to authorize a bank account debit).
The payment forms — G-1450 and G-1451 — must be signed and dated by hand. A printed signature or unsigned form will be rejected. Include the original form in your mailed packet; USCIS will not accept a photocopy or fax. If you are filing multiple forms at once, you can use a single payment form to cover all of them, but the total charge will hit one card or account on one date.
Common forms and their current fees
Filing fees vary by form type and change periodically. Some of the most common forms and their 2024 fees are listed below. These fees do not include biometric services fees (fingerprinting), which apply to certain forms and add to the total cost. USCIS publishes a full fee schedule on its website, and fees can change without notice, so check the form's instructions page before you file.
| Form | Purpose | 2024 Fee |
|---|---|---|
| I-485 | Green card application | $640 |
| I-131 | Work permit (Advance Parole) | $575 |
| N-400 | Citizenship application | $640 |
| I-130 | Family petition | $435 |
| I-140 | Employment-based petition | $715 |
| I-765 | Work authorization | $120 |
| I-539 | Extension of stay | $575 |
Fee waivers and reductions are available if your household income falls below 200% of the federal poverty line. You request a waiver by filing Form I-912 along with your application and supporting documents (tax returns, pay stubs, or a signed statement of income). USCIS will review the waiver request and notify you whether it was approved before processing your main application. A denied waiver does not automatically reject your case, but you will then owe the full fee.
How to pay when you file online through myUSCIS
If you create an account on myUSCIS and file your form electronically, payment happens as the final step before submission. The system will display the required fee and ask you to choose a payment method. You enter your card or bank account information, review the charge amount, and authorize the payment. The system generates a receipt with a confirmation number and date. Keep this receipt — it proves you paid and shows the transaction ID if USCIS later questions the payment.
Online payment is processed immediately, but it can take one to three business days for the charge to appear on your bank statement or credit card. If the payment is declined (insufficient funds, incorrect card number, expired card), the system will tell you right away and let you try again or use a different card. Do not submit your application without a successful payment confirmation, or USCIS will reject the entire package.
How to pay when you file by mail
If you mail your application to a USCIS lockbox or service center, you must include a separate payment authorization form. Complete either Form G-1450 (for credit or debit card) or Form G-1451 (for bank account). Write the form number and filing fee amount in the spaces provided, sign and date the form by hand, and place it in your application packet. Do not send cash, a check, or a money order — USCIS will return it.
Mail your complete packet (application form, supporting documents, and payment form) to the address listed in the form's instructions. USCIS will charge your card or bank account after receiving and opening your envelope, usually within one to two weeks. You will not receive a payment receipt in the mail; instead, the charge will appear on your statement. If you want confirmation, check your myUSCIS account after a few weeks — it should show your case number and payment status.
What happens if your payment is rejected or missing
If USCIS cannot process your payment — because the card was declined, the account had insufficient funds, or the payment form was unsigned — the agency will return your entire application by mail. The letter will explain why the payment failed and tell you to resubmit with a corrected payment method. This rejection adds weeks or months to your case timeline, especially for time-sensitive forms like work permits or extensions of stay.
If you included a payment form but made an error (wrong card number, illegible signature, missing amount), USCIS may hold your case in a pending status while it tries to contact you. Some applicants do not hear back for months. To avoid this, double-check that your payment form is completely filled out, signed in blue or black ink, and includes the correct fee amount before you mail it. If you filed online, print your payment receipt and keep it with your records.
Fee waivers and reduced fees for low-income filers
If your household income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty line, you can request a fee waiver or reduction. File Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver) along with your main application. Include proof of income: recent tax returns, pay stubs from the last 30 days, a signed statement of income if you are self-employed, or a letter from your employer stating your salary. USCIS will review your request and send you a notice of approval or denial before it processes your main application.
A waiver covers the full filing fee. A reduction (available for some forms) lowers the fee by 50%. If your waiver is denied, you must pay the full fee within a set timeframe or your application will be rejected. The waiver request does not delay your case significantly — USCIS typically decides within two to four weeks. Do not wait to hear back before submitting; include the I-912 in the same packet as your main application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay USCIS by check if I mail my application?
No. USCIS stopped accepting checks and money orders in October 2023. You must use a credit card, debit card, or bank account authorization form (G-1450 or G-1451). If you mail a check, USCIS will return your entire application.
What if my credit card is declined when I try to pay online?
The myUSCIS system will tell you immediately that the payment failed. Try a different card or use a bank account transfer instead. Do not submit your application without a successful payment confirmation, or it will be rejected.
How long does it take for USCIS to charge my card after I mail my application?
Usually one to two weeks after USCIS receives and opens your envelope. The charge will appear on your statement, but you will not receive a separate receipt in the mail. Check your myUSCIS account after a few weeks to confirm the payment went through.
Do I have to pay the full filing fee, or can I pay part of it now and part later?
You must pay the full fee at the time you file. Partial payments are not accepted. If you cannot afford the full fee, file Form I-912 to request a waiver or reduction based on your income.
What happens if I file by mail but forget to include the payment form?
USCIS will return your entire application by mail with a notice explaining that payment information is missing. You will have to resubmit everything, which delays your case by several weeks or months.