The new rule forcing immigrants to pay this way to stay in the U.S.

A new executive order from President Donald Trump is reshaping how immigrants and other applicants pay for U.S. government services.

The order, titled “Modernizing Payments To and From America’s Bank Account” (Executive Order 14247), went into effect on Oct. 28. It establishes a new nationwide system for electronic payments across federal agencies, including the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which handles most immigration-related applications and petitions.

According to the new rule, USCIS will now only accept electronic payments for its services, a major shift away from paper-based transactions.

Why USCIS is ending checks and money orders

USCIS spokesperson Matthew Tragesser explained that the change comes after years of inefficiencies tied to traditional payment methods.

“Over 90% of our payments come from checks and money orders, causing processing delays and increasing the risk of fraud and lost payments. This is a no-brainer move,” Tragesser said.

The goal, he added, is to streamline payments, improve security, and reduce backlogs by moving fully online.

How immigrants must now pay USCIS fees

Applicants will have two options for making payments under the new system.

1. Credit or debit card: Applicants can pay using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions.
2. ACH bank transfer: This method requires completing Form G-1650, Authorization for Direct Debit (ACH).

USCIS is urging applicants to complete these forms electronically and submit all fees through approved online channels.

Resources and next steps

To help immigrants navigate the transition, USCIS has posted detailed guides and step-by-step instructions for completing both forms on its official website.

“Modernizing financial transactions to and from the federal government is a priority for the Trump administration,” Tragesser added.

For more information and to access payment instructions, visit the USCIS official website.

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