USCIS changes the fee payment process for immigration applications to the United States

The Office of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has implemented a new fee payment process for filing applications in person.

The change seeks to simplify the process for most applicants, their legal representatives and attorneys, allowing payments to be made remotely or by mail rather than visiting a local office in person.

Under the new guidelines, applicants have the option of sending a check or filing Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, by mail to the appropriate local office with their application for benefits.

It is critical that applicants and their legal representatives carefully review the submission instructions to ensure that the application form can be submitted by mail or remotely, as well as to ensure that it is forwarded to the correct location.

In case of incorrect submission, USCIS will return the application to the sender so that it can be forwarded to the correct office. This new process, by eliminating the need to schedule an in-person appointment, aims to streamline the process and save time and money for applicants who are required to pay this fee.

New online tools

In addition, attorneys and legal representatives now have the option to process payment for submitting Form EOIR-29, Notice of Appeal, to the Board of Immigration Appeals of a Homeland Security (DHS) decision, via a link provided by USCIS. In emails or text messages from the Contact Center.

Once payment is completed, attorneys and legal representatives should mail their client’s EOIR-29, Forms EOIR-2 and EOIR-27, as well as the Pay.gov receipt, to the appropriate local office.

It is important to note that Emergency Advance Parole (EAP) applications, filed using Form I-131, still require a prior appointment with the USCIS Contact Center. In these cases, applicants must submit their complete application package, including forms and supporting documents, in person, and pay the applicable fee, Form G-1450, or by check, to the local office.

This change in the fee payment process reflects USCIS’s commitment to streamlining its services and facilitating access to immigration benefits in an efficient and convenient manner for all applicants and their representatives.