USCIS to Transition to All Electronic Payments on October 28, 2025: What Every Immigrant, Employer, and Attorney Must Know

By Richard T. Herman, Esq., Immigration Attorney (Herman Legal Group – “The Law Firm for Immigrants”)

On October 28, 2025, a new federal requirement will take effect, mandating that all immigration-related payments be made electronically. This represents a significant shift in how immigration payments are handled, marking a major step toward modernization. The agency responsible for this change, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), is implementing the new system as part of its ongoing efforts to modernize processes and improve efficiency within the immigration system.

Immediate Alert: Paper Checks Will Be Rejected On and After October 28, 2025

Beginning October 28, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will no longer accept paper checks or money orders for immigration filing fees. USCIS will continue to accept checks and money orders along with electronic payments until this date, providing applicants with a transition period to adapt to the new system.

Any application or petition submitted on or after October 28, 2025, with a paper check or money order will be rejected—as if it was never filed—and returned to the sender. USCIS may reject applications that do not comply with the new payment requirements, including those that do not include the correct fee.

This means missed filing deadlines, lost priority dates, and potential loss of status for applicants and employers who fail to comply. It is crucial to ensure the correct fee is submitted to avoid rejection.

To avoid devastating delays, every immigrant, employer, and attorney must understand USCIS’s new electronic payment system and prepare now for a fully digital payment future, as all filing fees must be paid using approved electronic payment methods after October 28, 2025.

At a Glance: Key Changes Taking Effect

Important Note:

Applicants submitting paper checks on and after Oct 28 will receive rejection notices. These cases will not preserve filing dates even if resubmitted electronically.

Why USCIS Is Going Fully Digital

For years, USCIS accepted personal checks, cashier’s checks, and money orders—methods that caused frequent delays, errors, and returned filings. Traditional payment methods like checks and money orders were causing processing delays and lost payments, making the system inefficient and unreliable.

• The old system required significant manpower required to process checks, increasing the risk of errors and fraud.
• Modernizing payments through electronic methods reduces processing delays and mitigates risks associated with traditional payment methods.
• However, while this transition addresses many longstanding issues, it also introduces new risks related to electronic payment security and compliance.

Expert Tip:

Nearly 15% of rejected USCIS filings in 2023 were due to invalid or mismatched payment instruments, leading to weeks or months of delay.

USCIS’s modernization initiative aims to:

• Eliminate paper handling
• Speed up receipting and adjudication
• Reduce rejection rates and fraud risk
• Align with federal digital payment mandates

This digital transition follows a larger government initiative under the Federal Payment Modernization Act and Executive Order 14247.

What Is the New Electronic Payment (EFT) System?

USCIS is implementing Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to replace traditional check payments. This includes the introduction of the ACH debit payment option as a secure and efficient alternative to checks and money orders for paying the filing fee. USCIS has updated its Policy Manual to include ACH debit transactions as an acceptable form of payment, modernizing the process and enhancing security.

You’ll now use Form G-1650 (Authorization for ACH Transaction) to allow a direct electronic debit from your U.S. bank account—similar to paying a bill online. Form G-1650 must be completed and signed before filing with applications, petitions, or requests. Applicants must use approved electronic payment methods to pay the filing fee. Electronic payments must be made from a U.S. bank and payable in U.S. currency.

Accepted methods include:

1. Electronic debit (EFT/ACH debit) — using Form G-1650
2. Credit card payments or debit card payments — using Form G-1450
3. Online payment via Pay.gov or myUSCIS portal
4. Prepaid credit cards — using Form G-1450 for individuals without a U.S. bank account. Individuals without a U.S. bank account can use this method to ensure their filing fees are processed without issues, even after the transition.

Applicants must pay required fees using the electronic payment methods that USCIS accept on and after October 28, 2025. When using Form G-1650 and G-1450, credit and debit payments are the main options for secure and efficient fee processing.

Fast Fact:

USCIS partnered with Pay.gov to manage electronic debits through secure federal banking systems.

 

Who Is Affected

1. Family-Based Applicants:Spouses, fiancées, parents, and others filing I-130, I-485, or I-751 must pay electronically—no exceptions after Oct 28. Petitioners must ensure all required fees are paid electronically to avoid rejection of their petitions.

2. Employers & HR Departments:All H-1B, L-1, and EB-5 filings must switch to EFT or credit card. Corporate payroll departments should pre-authorize their banks to process ACH transactions from USCIS.

3. Attorneys & Representatives:Law firms must transition all client payments to digital workflows, with clear authorization forms and compliance controls.

Timeline: USCIS Electronic Payment Rollout

• August 29, 2025: USCIS announces policy update in its news release, stating that the USCIS transition to electronic payments will be effective immediately on October 28, 2025.
• **October 28, 2025:**Mandatory electronic payment date.
• October 28, 2025 and beyond: Paper filings with checks will be returned as unfiled.
• October 29, 2025: USCIS will transition to electronic payments for immigration benefits.

Key Insight:

Missing this transition could invalidate filings that must be received by a statutory deadline—especially I-765 renewals, I-751 petitions, or employer petitions tied to visa caps.

How Electronic Payments Improve Efficiency

The move to electronic payments promises:

• Immediate payment confirmation
• Elimination of lost checks or mismatched names
• Reduced rejection rates and faster receipt notices
• Simplified refunds and recordkeeping through Pay.gov
• Fewer delays caused by lockbox data entry

Unlike traditional paper based payments such as checks and money orders, electronic payments offer greater efficiency and reliability.

Note: Submitting the correct fee amount electronically is essential to avoid delays or rejections of your immigration application.

At a Glance

USCIS projects up to 30% faster processing for cases filed under the new EFT system.

Potential Challenges and Privacy Concerns

While EFT improves speed, it raises questions about security, access, and data protection. Sensitive credit card and ACH information must now be listed directly on USCIS forms, creating new vulnerabilities compared to checks. The shift to electronic payments introduces new risks such as increased exposure to fraud, processing delays, and compliance challenges, making it essential to exercise caution.

Applicants and their representatives have a responsibility to ensure payment security and compliance with all USCIS requirements, including proper trust accounting and fiscal accountability.

Need to Know:

• Applicants must have a U.S. bank account capable of ACH transactions.
• Transactions may fail due to ACH blocks or insufficient funds, leading to rejection of the filing. Applicants must ensure their accounts have sufficient funds to cover filing fees when making payments. Individuals must also verify that their payment methods are valid to avoid rejections from USCIS.
• In special circumstances, applicants may submit a formal request (such as via Form G-1651) for exceptions to the electronic payment requirements.

Important Note:

Rejected EFT transactions = case rejection. USCIS will not attempt a second withdrawal.

Reference: USCIS Pay-by-ACH Transaction Page

How to Prepare Before October 28, 2025

✅ Checklist for Individuals

• Confirm you have a U.S. bank account (for ACH debit).
• Download Form G-1650 and ensure all details are accurate.
• Remove ACH blocks with your bank.
• Verify sufficient funds before submission.
• File before Oct 28 if paying by check to avoid rejection.

✅ Checklist for Employers and Law Firms

• Train HR and accounting teams on ACH authorization.
• Transition client billing systems to digital pay.
• Use USCIS online filing whenever available.
• Keep a record of confirmation numbers for each payment.

Expert Tip:

Submit early during transition months to avoid bottlenecks caused by payment testing and system learning curves.

Top Immigration Law Firms Adapting to USCIS Digital Payment Rules

Connected Modernization Efforts

This payment change is part of USCIS’s broader digital transformation, including:

• Expansion of the myUSCIS online filing platform
• AI-driven case management tools
• Electronic notice delivery and e-signature acceptance
• Integration with DHS modernization programs across agencies

Expert Insight: The Legal View

As an immigration attorney for over 30 years, I’ve seen how small filing errors—like incorrect check payee names—can destroy entire cases.

Richard T. Herman’s Perspective:

“This digital shift is necessary and overdue. But it’s also unforgiving—on and after October 28, one wrong payment method could derail months of work. Law firms and immigrants must prepare now.”

Cleveland & Columbus, Ohio: Local Readiness

Ohio’s immigrant communities are among the fastest-growing in the Midwest. Many file family and employment petitions through the USCIS Cleveland Field Office.

For residents of Cleveland and Columbus:

• The Herman Legal Group offers direct assistance transitioning clients to electronic filing.
• Local offices provide bilingual support for ACH setup, Pay.gov guidance, and error prevention.

Book a Consultation with Herman Legal Group

FAQs: Common Questions About USCIS Electronic Payments

1. Can I still pay by check on and after October 28, 2025?No. USCIS will reject and return any filing accompanied by a paper check or money order after that date.

2. What if my EFT transaction is declined?Your case is not filed. You must resubmit with valid payment.

3. Can my attorney pay USCIS fees for me?Yes, as long as the attorney or firm includes a valid EFT authorization (Form G-1650).

4. Will this apply to all USCIS forms?Yes, with few exceptions for specialized humanitarian forms. Check USCIS.gov for form-specific instructions.

5. Is my payment information safe?USCIS uses Pay.gov, managed by the U.S. Treasury, ensuring federal-grade encryption and security. According to USCIS spokesman Matthew, the shift to electronic funds transfer options was implemented to modernize fee payments and further enhance payment security for applicants.

Key Takeaways

• ✅ On and After October 28, 2025, USCIS will only accept electronic payments.
• ❌ Paper checks and money orders will be rejected and returned.
• ⏰ Rejected payments = missed filing deadlines.
• 💳 Use Form G-1650 (ACH debit) or Form G-1450 (credit/debit).
• 🔒 Ensure bank accounts can process ACH transactions.
• 🏢 Law firms and employers must modernize payment workflows now.
• 💼 Herman Legal Group can guide individuals and businesses through the transition.
• 📄 Submit a separate payment for each application or petition to avoid rejection of the entire package.