How to Pay Your EOIR Asylum Fee Through the Payment Portal
What the EOIR payment portal is and who needs to use it
The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) payment portal is an online system where you can pay asylum-related fees directly to the federal immigration court system. You access it through the EOIR website, and it processes payments for certain immigration court filings and services. Not every immigration matter requires a fee — asylum applications filed with USCIS (the immigration service, not the court) do not charge a fee — but if you are paying a court-related fee through EOIR, this portal is how you do it.
The portal accepts credit cards, debit cards, and electronic bank transfers. When you pay through it, you receive a confirmation number immediately, and EOIR records your payment in their system. This confirmation is important: keep it, because you will need it if there are questions later about whether your payment went through.
Key Takeaways
- The EOIR payment portal is the official online system for paying fees owed to the immigration court, and you access it through the EOIR website.
- You will need your EOIR case number, the fee amount, and a valid payment method (credit card, debit card, or bank account) to complete a payment.
- Payments typically process within one to two business days, and you should receive a confirmation number immediately after submission.
- If your payment fails or you need to dispute a charge, contact the EOIR directly using the case number and confirmation number from your transaction.
- Fees vary depending on the type of filing or service; confirm the exact amount owed before you pay, because overpayments and refunds can take weeks to process.
How to locate your EOIR case number before you pay
Your EOIR case number is a unique identifier that the immigration court assigns to your case. You need this number to pay through the portal, and the system will not accept a payment without it. If you have received any documents from the immigration court — a notice to appear, a hearing notice, or any official correspondence — your case number appears on that document, usually at the top or in a header section.
If you cannot find a document with your case number, contact the immigration court that has your case directly. You can find the court's phone number and mailing address on the EOIR website, which lists all immigration courts by location. When you call, have your name, date of birth, and country of origin ready, because the court will use those to look up your case number in their system.
Step-by-step process for paying through the portal
Go to the EOIR website and locate the payment portal link. The portal will ask you to enter your EOIR case number first. Once you enter it, the system will display the amount owed and the reason for the fee (for example, a motion filing fee or an appeal fee). Review this information carefully to make sure it matches what you expect to pay.
Next, select your payment method. The portal accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards, as well as electronic bank transfers via ACH (Automated Clearing House). If you use a card, enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV. If you use a bank transfer, you will need your routing number and account number. After you submit your payment information, the system processes it immediately and displays a confirmation number on the screen.
Write down or screenshot your confirmation number before you close the browser. This number is your proof of payment. The portal will also send a confirmation email to the address you provide, but the email may take a few minutes to arrive. Do not assume the payment failed if the email is delayed — check the confirmation number first.
What happens after you submit payment and how long it takes
Once you submit payment through the portal, the transaction is recorded in EOIR's system within one to two business days. During that time, the payment is pending — it has left your account or card, but EOIR has not yet marked the fee as paid in your case file. This is normal and does not mean there is a problem.
After the payment clears, EOIR updates your case record to show that the fee has been received. If you have an upcoming hearing or filing deadline, the court will see that the fee is paid when they review your file. You do not need to bring a receipt to court, but you should keep your confirmation number and any email receipts in case you need to prove payment later.
If you paid by card, the charge will appear on your statement within one to three business days, depending on your bank. If you paid by bank transfer, the money will leave your account within one to two business days. Neither method is faster than the other — the difference is only in when your bank or card company shows the transaction.
What to do if your payment fails or does not go through
If the portal rejects your payment, it will display an error message on the screen. Common reasons include an incorrect card number, an expired card, insufficient funds, or a card that is flagged for fraud protection. Try the payment again with the same method, or switch to a different payment method if the first one does not work.
If the payment fails a second time, contact your bank or card company to ask whether they are blocking the transaction. Some banks flag government payments as suspicious and require you to call and approve the charge before it will go through. Once your bank approves it, try the portal again.
If you have tried multiple times and the payment still will not process, contact EOIR directly. Have your case number and the error message ready. EOIR can tell you whether there is a problem with your case record or whether the portal itself is experiencing technical issues. In rare cases, EOIR may allow you to pay by mail or phone if the online system is not working.
Overpayments and refund requests
If you accidentally pay more than the amount owed, or if you pay a fee and then the court dismisses your case or waives the fee, you may be may have access to to a refund. To request a refund, contact EOIR in writing and include your case number, the date you paid, your confirmation number, and an explanation of why you believe you overpaid.
Refunds are processed by check and mailed to the address on file with EOIR. The process typically takes four to eight weeks from the date EOIR receives your request. Do not expect a refund to appear in your bank account or on your card — EOIR issues refunds by check only. If you do not receive your check within eight weeks, contact EOIR again with your case number and the date you submitted the refund request.
Fees that require payment and fees that do not
EOIR charges fees for certain court filings and services, but not all immigration matters require a fee through this portal. For example, if you are filing an asylum application with USCIS (the immigration service), there is no fee. If you are filing a motion or appeal with the immigration court, there may be a fee depending on the type of motion or appeal.
Before you pay, confirm with the immigration court or your attorney what fee, if any, is required for your specific filing. The court's website lists fee amounts, or you can call the court directly. Paying a fee you do not owe is a mistake that takes weeks to correct, so it is worth taking five minutes to verify the amount first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my EOIR fee by mail or phone instead of online?
The online portal is the primary payment method, but some courts may accept payment by mail or phone in limited circumstances. Contact your immigration court directly to ask whether alternative payment methods are available. If you use mail, send a check or money order with your case number clearly written on it, and allow two to three weeks for processing.
What if I lose my confirmation number?
Contact EOIR with your case number and the approximate date you paid. EOIR can look up your payment in their system and provide you with the confirmation number or a record of payment. Keep this record in a safe place in case you need it later.
Does paying my fee through the portal mean my case is approved?
No. Paying a fee only means you have paid a required court cost. It does not change the outcome of your case or move your case forward in any way. The immigration judge will still review your case on its merits at your hearing.
What if my card is declined and I do not have another payment method?
Contact EOIR immediately and explain your situation. Some courts have hardship procedures or may allow you to request a fee waiver or payment plan. You will need to submit a written request with your case number and an explanation of your financial circumstances. Courts are not required to grant waivers, but it is worth asking.
How do I know if my payment was successful?
You will receive a confirmation number on the screen immediately after you submit payment. This number confirms that the transaction was processed. You should also receive a confirmation email within a few minutes. If you have the confirmation number, your payment went through, even if the email is delayed.