Is USCIS no longer accepting checks?
Asked by: Lela Gaylord | Last update: April 26, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (66 votes)
Yes, USCIS stopped accepting personal checks, cashier's checks, and money orders for filing fees as of October 28, 2025, shifting to electronic payments like credit/debit cards (Form G-1450) or ACH debit (Form G-1650) for mailed applications, with limited exemptions available for those unable to pay electronically.
Is USCIS still accepting checks?
USCIS no longer accepting filing fee checks as of 10/29/25. USCIS has announced that it will no longer accept checks as a payment method for any filing fee as of October 29, 2025, and will transition entirely to electronic payment methods instead.
Can you pay USCIS with a check?
Alert: USCIS no longer accepts payments made by personal or business check, money order, or cashier's check for forms filed by paper unless you qualify for an exemption.
What is the best way to pay USCIS?
The best way to pay USCIS is usually electronically via Pay.gov for online filings, or by using Form G-1450 (Credit Card) or Form G-1650 (ACH Debit) when mailing forms, as paper checks/money orders are largely phased out; use G-1450 for U.S.-issued cards, G-1650 for direct U.S. bank debits, and ensure accurate details to avoid delays.
Can you use a personal check for USCIS?
Quick Summary: Starting October 28, 2025, USCIS will only accept credit card or debit card payments. Personal checks and money orders will no longer be accepted for immigration applications. Questions about your immigration application?
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What happens if I don't cash a check after 180 days?
After the 6-month window has closed, a bank may choose to refuse a check. If this happens, you may need to have the check reissued. Some banks may cash the stale check for a fee or under certain conditions. The bank that issued the check may also have its own policies for dealing with stale checks.
Will USCIS no longer accept paper payments for filing fees?
USCIS now allows fee payments via electronic debit from U.S. bank accounts using Form G-1650. After October 28, 2025, USCIS will only accept ACH debit (Form G-1650) or credit card (Form G-1450) payments; paper checks and money orders will be accepted until then.
What is the new form of payment for USCIS?
USCIS's new payment method mandate, effective October 28, 2025, requires electronic payments for mailed filings, shifting away from checks/money orders to **ACH debit (Form G-1650) ** from U.S. bank accounts or credit/debit cards (Form G-1450), with online filings continuing via Pay.gov. This modernization aims for faster, more secure processing, allowing only electronic methods for mailed requests and requiring specific forms (G-1650, G-1450) for direct bank or card payments, with limited exemptions for those without electronic access.
What payment methods are accepted by USCIS?
If you are inside the United States
Depending on the form you are submitting, you may pay your fees: Online using a credit, debit, or prepaid card, or through an ACH debit transaction; or. By mail by completing Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, or Form G-1650, Authorization for ACH Transactions.
How does USCIS process checks?
Checks, on the other hand, are electronically deposited, without the possibility of an agent mistyping the check's information. After you file an application and send your check, look at your online bank statement every day or so to see when the check is cashed by USCIS.
Does USCIS accept money gram?
Payments by Phone or Email
We will never ask you to transfer money to an individual. We do not accept Western Union, MoneyGram, PayPal, Venmo, or gift cards as payment for immigration fees.
What are the new changes to USCIS filing fees?
SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is increasing premium processing fees charged by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to reflect the amount of inflation from June 2023 through June 2025 according to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers.
How to pay for USCIS immigrant fee?
You must pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee online using the USCIS Electronic Immigration System (USCIS ELIS) after you receive your immigrant visa from the Department of State and before you depart for the United States. You will not receive your Green Card until you have paid the USCIS Immigrant Fee.
Why don't places accept checks anymore?
Businesses and utilities encourage online and automatic payments, which increase the availability and use of such options. Banks like electronic checking because there is a lower risk of fraud. Automatic payments are also more reliable and predictable, giving businesses some certainty of getting paid.
Does anyone still accept checks?
Even in a world dominated by digital payments, checks continue to hold their ground. Here's why they remain relevant for many people and businesses: Accessibility: Checks don't need Wi-Fi, apps or fancy devices. They're a simple, reliable payment method that works for anyone with a bank account.
How to pay for I-130?
USCIS continues to accept payments made through Pay.gov for applications and petitions filed online. If you are filing by mail, you may pay your filing fees with a credit or debit card issued by a U.S. bank. This includes biometric services fees and other fees, if applicable, for any form we process.
When should I pay the USCIS immigrant fee?
USCIS uses this fee to process your immigrant visa packet and produce your Permanent Resident Card (commonly known as a Green Card). We strongly encourage you to pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee after you pick up your immigrant visa from the Department of State and before you depart for the United States.
How do I write a check to the USCIS fee?
Writing a Check
- Make sure to enter the date (MM/DD/YYYY).
- Make the check payable to: U.S. Department of Homeland Security. ...
- Make sure to write the amount of payment in words as above. ...
- In the Memo or “For” section, write “USCIS I-765” and your SEVIS ID number, found in the in the upper left-hand corner of your I-20.
How do I avoid payment processing fees?
How to Lower Credit Card Processing Fees and Avoid Extra Costs
- Protect Your Devices. ...
- Stay PCI Compliant. ...
- Find the Best Merchant Services Provider for Your Business. ...
- Consider Surcharging or Cash Discounts. ...
- Avoid Cancellation Fees.
Is USCIS processing faster in 2025?
In 2025, USCIS processing times are mixed, with some forms like Naturalization (N-400) seeing faster processing, while others, particularly Adjustment of Status (I-485) for green cards, are experiencing significant backlogs and longer waits, though receipt notices for new forms are faster, and premium processing remains an option for some employment-based cases. Overall, it's a dynamic period with improvements in some areas but continued challenges, especially for complex family-based and adjustment cases.
What is the $3000 rule for banks?
The "3000 bank rule" refers to U.S. Treasury regulations under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) requiring financial institutions to record and report specific information for certain transactions over $3,000, mainly involving cash or monetary instruments, to combat money laundering, including identifying the payer, recipient, and transaction details for five years. This rule covers purchases of cashier's checks, money orders, and wire transfers above this amount, mandating verification of identity and detailed record-keeping for law enforcement.
When can a check no longer be cashed?
You generally have six months (180 days) to cash a personal or business check before it's considered "stale," though some have "void after 90 days" printed on them, and banks aren't required to honor them after six months, but might at their discretion; U.S. Treasury checks last a year, while cashier's checks and money orders vary by issuer but should be cashed quickly.
How long does it take for a $500,000 check to clear?
Personal checks typically clear within two business days. It can take up to seven days for some accounts. Government and cashier's checks and checks from the same bank that holds your account typically take one business day to clear.