USCIS Switches to Card-Only Payments for Paper-Filed Immigration Forms - VisaHQ
Key Takeaways
- It has been reported that USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) is moving to card-only payments for many paper-filed immigration forms.
- Mailed applications that once accepted checks or money orders will allegedly require a credit or debit card payment instead.
- The change affects people who prefer or must file on paper — including some applicants without online access or who use legal clinics.
- Options include filing online where available, using a credit/debit/prepaid card, or seeking help from attorneys or nonprofit legal services; fee waivers for eligible applicants should remain available.
What changed
It has been reported that USCIS is shifting to a card-only payment model for paper-filed forms, meaning mailed submissions will need an accompanying credit or debit card authorization rather than a personal check or money order. USCIS has long accepted credit card authorizations using Form G-1450 (Authorizing Credit Card Transaction) for certain mailed payments; the reported change makes cards the default and potentially exclusive payment method for paper filings. Details such as exactly which forms are affected and the implementation date were not fully disclosed in the reporting.
Who is affected
The move principally affects applicants who still file by mail: people with limited internet access, clients of legal aid clinics that submit bulk paper filings, and those who prefer paper for complex cases. For many immigrants, this is a practical barrier — not everyone has a credit or debit card, and some rely on checks, money orders, or third-party payments from community organizations. Attorneys and accredited representatives who prepare filings for low-income clients could face new logistical challenges.
What this means now and next steps
If you plan to file a paper form, check the USCIS website (uscis.gov) for the agency’s official payment guidance and any updated form instructions before mailing anything. Where available, consider filing online to avoid payment complications; online filing accepts cards and sometimes other electronic payments. If you must file on paper and do not have a card, options include obtaining a prepaid card, asking an attorney or trusted family member to pay, or contacting local nonprofit immigration service providers for assistance. Eligible applicants should still be able to apply for fee waivers — those requests do not require payment — but confirm waiver rules for your specific form.
This development underscores a broader trend toward electronic fee collection as USCIS relies on fee revenue for operations. For now, watch for an official USCIS announcement clarifying which paper forms are affected, when the change takes effect, and any transitional procedures for applicants without cards.
Source: Original Article