How USCIS Changed Its Payment Methods and What You Need to Know

USCIS now requires online payment for most immigration forms, and no longer accepts checks or money orders by mail

As of October 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services stopped accepting paper checks and money orders sent through the mail for most immigration petitions and applications. Instead, you must pay online using a credit card, debit card, or electronic bank transfer through their payment portal. The only exceptions are certain forms that still allow payment at a USCIS office in person, and some cases where you may have access to for a fee waiver or reduction.

This shift means you cannot simply print a form, write a check, and mail everything together anymore. You pay first online, receive a receipt number, and then mail or file your form with that receipt as proof of payment. The payment and the application are now two separate steps, and they happen in a different order than they used to.

Key Takeaways

• Most USCIS forms now require you to pay online before mailing your application, using a credit card, debit card, or bank account transfer.
• You receive a payment receipt number immediately after paying online, and you must include this number when you submit your form by mail or through USCIS online filing.
• Some forms still allow in-person payment at a USCIS office, and you can request a fee waiver or reduction if you cannot afford the filing fee.
• Payment processing is instant for card payments and typically takes one to two business days for bank transfers, so plan ahead if you are mailing your form.

Which forms require online payment and which do not

USCIS publishes a list on their website showing which forms accept online payment and which still allow other methods. The majority of common forms—including I-485 (adjustment of status), I-130 (family petition), I-140 (employment-based petition), and N-400 (naturalization)—now require online payment. Forms for work permits, travel documents, and name changes also moved to online payment.

A smaller set of forms still allow payment by check or money order at a USCIS office. These are typically forms filed in person at a local office rather than by mail. If you are unsure whether your specific form requires online payment, check the form's instructions page on USCIS.gov, which lists the payment methods accepted for that form.

How to pay online and what happens after

Go to the USCIS online payment portal (pay.uscis.gov) and enter the form number you are filing. The portal will show you the current filing fee for that form. You then choose your payment method: credit card, debit card, or electronic bank transfer. Credit and debit card payments process immediately. Bank transfers (ACH) typically clear within one to two business days, though USCIS recommends allowing three to five business days for safety.

After you pay, the system generates a receipt number on screen and sends a confirmation email to the address you provided. Write down this receipt number—you will need it. If you are mailing your form, include a copy of the receipt with your application. If you are filing online through USCIS's online filing system, you will enter the receipt number into the form itself. Do not mail a check or money order along with your form; USCIS will reject it.

Keep your receipt email and the receipt number for your records. If there is ever a question about whether USCIS received your payment, you can use the receipt number to look up the transaction.

Fee waivers and reductions if you cannot afford the filing fee

USCIS allows you to request a fee waiver or reduction using Form I-912. You can file this form at the same time as your main application. To may have access to, your household income must fall at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty line, or you must show that paying the fee would cause severe financial hardship.

If you submit a fee waiver request, you do not pay online upfront. Instead, you mail Form I-912 along with your main application and supporting documents showing your income and expenses. USCIS will review the waiver request and decide whether to grant it. If approved, you owe nothing. If denied, USCIS will send you a notice telling you how much to pay and giving you a deadline to submit payment.

The fee waiver process takes longer than paying upfront, so if you are on a tight timeline, paying online immediately may be faster than waiting for a waiver decision.

What changed from the old check-by-mail system

Before October 2023, you could mail a check or money order with your application, and USCIS would cash it when they received your package. Now, payment must happen before or at the same time as filing, not after. This means you cannot delay payment until USCIS opens your case.

The change also means payment is no longer part of the mail stream. There is no risk of a check getting lost in the mail or taking weeks to clear. You have immediate proof that you paid, in the form of a receipt number, which reduces disputes about whether payment was received.

For people who do not have internet access or a bank account, the shift has created a barrier. USCIS does not operate a phone line for payment, and there is no way to pay by mail anymore. If you cannot pay online yourself, you will need to ask someone else to pay on your behalf using their card or bank account, or visit a USCIS office or community organization that may offer computer access.

Payment timing if you are mailing your form

Pay online first, then mail your form. Do not mail your form before you have paid and received a receipt number. USCIS will reject applications that arrive without a valid receipt number.

If you are using a bank transfer (ACH), allow three to five business days for the payment to clear before you mail your form. If you are using a credit or debit card, you can mail your form the same day you pay, since the payment processes instantly. Either way, include a copy of your receipt with your mailed application.

The mailing address for your form depends on the form type and your location. Check the form's instructions for the correct address. Mail your form to the address listed, not to a general USCIS office.

If your online payment fails or you need to dispute a charge

If your card is declined or your bank transfer fails, the payment portal will show an error message immediately. Try again with the same card or a different payment method. If the problem persists, contact your bank or card issuer to ask whether there is a block on the transaction.

If USCIS charged your card but you did not receive a receipt number, or if you were charged twice, contact USCIS using the contact information on their website. Have your receipt number (if you have one) and the date of the charge ready. USCIS can look up the transaction and issue a refund if there was an error.

Do not assume a payment went through just because your card was charged. Always wait for the receipt number and confirmation email before considering the payment complete.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay by phone or through the mail?

No. USCIS does not accept phone payments, and they no longer accept checks or money orders by mail. Online payment through pay.uscis.gov is the only option for most forms, except for a small number of forms that allow in-person payment at a USCIS office.

What if I do not have a credit card or bank account?

You can ask someone else to pay on your behalf using their card or bank account. They will need your form number and the filing fee amount. Alternatively, visit a local library, community center, or nonprofit organization that offers free computer access and help with USCIS forms. Some organizations can help you pay online.

Do I need to print my receipt and mail it with my form?

Yes, if you are mailing your form by post. Print or save the receipt page and include it with your application. If you are filing online through USCIS's online filing system, you will enter the receipt number into the form instead of printing it.

How long does it take for USCIS to see my payment?

Credit and debit card payments show up instantly. Bank transfers (ACH) typically take one to two business days, though USCIS recommends waiting three to five business days before mailing your form to be safe. You will receive a confirmation email as soon as the payment is processed.

What if I paid online but then decided not to file the form?

Contact USCIS to request a refund. You will need your receipt number and the reason for the refund request. USCIS processes refunds, but it may take several weeks. If you do not use the receipt number within a certain time frame, USCIS may refund the fee automatically, though this varies by form type.