In a major update for immigration applicants, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that starting October 28, 2025, all application and petition fees must be paid electronically.
This change will affect thousands of applicants — including those applying for H-1B visas, green cards, and work authorizations — as the agency moves away from paper-based payments to a faster and more secure online system.
Only U.S. Bank Accounts and Cards Accepted
Under the new system, payments will only be accepted from U.S. bank accounts or credit/debit cards.
Any payments made using non-U.S. accounts will be automatically rejected.
Applicants who still file on paper will need to use:
Form G-1650 – for payments made directly from a U.S. bank account (ACH debit)
Form G-1450 – for credit or debit card transactions
Those without U.S. bank accounts can use prepaid credit cards with Form G-1450.
USCIS will no longer accept paper checks, and any failed or invalid payment will lead to the rejection of the application, according to Dmitry Litvinov, CEO of Dreem.
While most applicants must pay electronically, a few categories remain fee-exempt.
Individuals facing financial hardship can apply for a waiver using Form G-1651.
Wide Impact on Employers, Students, and Applicants
This change affects a broad range of applicants and organizations, including:
Employers sponsoring H-1B, H-2B, or other foreign workers
International students applying for visa extensions or work authorization
Universities and immigration attorneys managing student and employee filings
The new rule applies to forms such as Form I-129 (H-1B), Form I-539 (dependents/students), Form I-765 (work authorization), and Form I-485 (green card applications).
USCIS says this transition is part of its digital modernization plan — aimed at reducing paperwork, preventing fraud, and improving overall efficiency in processing immigration applications.
