U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a major change to its payment system, unveiling a new option for applicants to pay filing fees directly from a U.S. bank account through an Automated Clearing House (ACH) debit.

Effective immediately, individuals can authorize debit transactions by submitting Form G-1650, Authorization for ACH Transactions, along with their application, petition, or request. The move is designed to modernize USCIS’s payment processing system, reduce administrative burdens, and minimize risks tied to paper payments.

“We have a responsibility to the American people to operate as efficiently and securely as possible,” USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser explained in a statement. “Over 90% of our payments come from checks and money orders, causing processing delays and increasing the risk of fraud and lost payments. America deserves better, and we intend to deliver.”

The change is a result of an Executive Order signed by President Trump earlier this year, titled the “Modernizing Payments to and from America’s Bank Account,” which directs federal agencies to improve payment efficiency and security.

In addition to the ACH option, applicants may continue to pay by credit card, including prepaid credit cards.

USCIS will continue to accept checks and money orders until October 28, 2025. After that date, the agency will only accept payments via ACH debit or credit card.

Applicants without U.S. bank accounts will need to use the credit card option.