You can pay USCIS filing fees online through myUSCIS or pay.gov, by electronic bank transfer, or by mailing a signed credit card form with your paper application. USCIS no longer accepts checks, money orders, or cash—all payments must be electronic. Whether you're filing for naturalization, employment authorization, or a status extension, the payment method depends on how you submit your form and what you can afford. If fees are a hardship, you can request a waiver.
Table of Contents
- Online Payment Methods
- Paying by Mail
- How Much Each Form Costs
- Reduced Fees and Fee Waivers
- Payment Methods That Don't Work
- Frequently Asked Questions
Online Payment Methods
USCIS accepts payments through myUSCIS (my.uscis.gov) and pay.gov using credit or debit cards, or through electronic funds transfer (EFT) from a U.S. bank account using Form G-1650. Online filing through myUSCIS is the fastest route; you pay directly when you submit your application.
Pay.gov works similarly but is used for certain paper-filing categories. For bank transfers, complete Form G-1650 (Authorize Payroll Deduction) and submit it with your application or form. This method withdraws funds directly from your bank account, giving you an audit trail. No debit card, credit card, or PayPal is required.
Paying by Mail
If you submit a paper form by mail, you must include a completed Form G-1450 (Authorization for Credit Card Transactions) to pay with a credit, debit, or prepaid card. Sign and date the form, include your card information, and mail it with your application. The card is not enclosed—only the signed authorization form.
Do not mail checks, money orders, or cashier's checks. USCIS no longer accepts these payment methods for most paper filings; all payments must be electronic via credit card, ACH transfer, or pay.gov. If your form requires a specific payment method and you're unsure which one to use, contact the USCIS office handling your case before mailing.
How Much Each Form Costs
fees vary by form and sometimes by category. Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization) costs $710–$760 at full fee, with a reduced-fee option of $380 available to qualifying applicants using Form I-942. Form I-765 (Employment Authorization) costs $2,075, except for STEM-OPT cases, which are $1,780; Form I-539 (Extend/Change Status) is $2,075.
Rather than memorizing each fee, use the USCIS Fee Calculator at uscis.gov/feecalculator to determine exact current fees for any form and filing method. The calculator accounts for reduced-fee eligibility and category-specific variations, so you'll know your exact cost before filing.
Reduced Fees and Fee Waivers
Reduced fees are available for certain forms if your household income falls below a threshold. You qualify by filing Form I-942 (Request for Reduced Fee) along with your application; USCIS will review your income and determine if you qualify. The amount is typically half the standard fee. If you cannot afford even the reduced fee, file Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver) at no charge.
USCIS approves waivers only for applicants who clearly demonstrate financial inability to pay. Submit the form with your application and supporting documents (tax returns, pay stubs, financial statements) showing your income and expenses. Approval is not guaranteed, but there is no cost to request one.
Payment Methods That Don't Work
USCIS does not accept cash payments at any office or location, even for in-person filings. If you walk into a USCIS field office or Application Support Center, you still cannot pay with cash—you must use credit/debit card via pay.gov or file an electronic bank transfer authorization. Personal checks, business checks, money orders, and cashier's checks are no longer accepted, regardless of where or how you file.
These methods have been phased out entirely in favor of traceable electronic payments. If you're unsure whether your payment method is acceptable, check the instructions page for your specific form or call your local USCIS office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay by phone or in person?
Online payment through myUSCIS and pay.gov is available 24/7. For in-person payments, USCIS field offices no longer accept walk-in fee payments; you must file online or mail a credit card authorization form.
What if my payment is late?
Submit your payment before your form is delivered to USCIS. Late payments may cause your application to be rejected and returned unprocessed. Check the mailing address and processing timeframe for your specific form.
Does USCIS accept wire transfers or cryptocurrency?
No. Only the electronic methods listed above are accepted: credit/debit cards via myUSCIS or pay.gov, or bank account transfers via Form G-1650.