As of October 28, 2025, USCIS no longer accepts checks or money orders. All payments must be electronic via Form G-1450 (credit card authorization) or Form G-1650 (online electronic payment). Sending a check will result in the immediate rejection of your application. This change creates a systemic barrier for the unbanked population — without a credit card or linked bank account, access to immigration justice is effectively blocked.
"Critical Mandate: USCIS will automatically reject any application accompanied by a check or money order as of October 28, 2025. You must have access to electronic payment BEFORE starting any immigration process."
Complete USCIS Fee Schedule 2026
| Form | Purpose | 2026 Fee (Paper) | 2026 Fee (Online) |
|---|---|---|---|
| N-400 | Citizenship (Naturalization) | $760 | $710 |
| I-130 | Family Petition | $675 | $625 |
| I-485 | Adjustment of Status (Green Card) | $1,440 | N/A (paper only) |
| I-90 | Green Card Renewal | $465 | $415 |
| I-765 | Work Permit (EAD) | $520 | $470 |
| I-131 | Travel Document (Advance Parole) | $630 | $590 |
| I-129 | Work Visa (H-1B, L-1, etc.) | $780 | $730 |
| I-140 | Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker | $715 | $715 |
Accepted Payment Methods
| Method | Form | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Credit/Debit Card | G-1450 | Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover. Attached to the main form |
| Online Payment | G-1650 / USCIS Portal | Through myaccount.uscis.gov |
| Pay.gov | Pay.gov Account | For specific forms that allow payment at pay.gov |
| ❌ Checks | — | NOT accepted since October 2025 |
| ❌ Money Orders | — | NOT accepted since October 2025 |
Solution for the Unbanked Population
If you do not have a bank account or credit card, you must complete financial onboarding (account opening) BEFORE starting any immigration process. Options:
- Reloadable prepaid cards: Available at convenience stores (Green Dot, NetSpend). They accept temporary addresses
- Bank accounts without SSN: Some banks accept ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) to open accounts
- Legal assistance organizations: Contact CLINIC (Catholic Legal Immigration Network) for assistance
Fee Waivers
If you cannot afford the fees, USCIS offers waivers through Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver). Available for:
- Public benefit recipients (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI)
- Income below 150% FPL
- Documented financial hardship
| Resource | Detail |
|---|---|
| Form G-1450 | uscis.gov/g-1450 |
| USCIS Online Account | myaccount.uscis.gov |
| I-912 Fee Waiver | uscis.gov/i-912 |
| USCIS Phone | 1-800-375-5283 |
| Verify Fees | uscis.gov/feeschedule |
"Immediate Action: If you are unbanked, open an electronic account or acquire a prepaid card TODAY. Otherwise, you will not be able to pay USCIS fees and any application will be automatically rejected."