The United States government began on Tuesday to accept only electronic payments for paper forms, a measure that eliminates the use of checks and money orders in immigration procedures.

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is implementing the measure that requires payment by credit or debit card using the form G-1450, or by direct bank debit (ACH) through form G-1650, for the various services it provides.

This measure follows the previous announcement by USCIS, indicating that forms such as the Application for Naturalization (N-400), the Application to Replace Green Card (I-90), the Petition for Alien Relative (I-130), and the Application for Employment Authorization (I-765), among others, are available to be filed digitally, allowing users to complete their procedures remotely, without needing to use the postal system.

With this, the new system includes the option to pay fees electronically, and USCIS will no longer accept checks and money orders as payment methods, a common practice for decades in immigration processes, which include naturalization, adjustment of status, and employment visa applications, among others.

According to experts, the measure could create additional obstacles for some Undocumented immigrants and other applicants who do not have access to electronic payment systems in the US

For its part, the agency, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), explained that the transition seeks to “increase security and efficiency in the handling of public funds.”

Applications submitted with checks after this Tuesday may be rejected for non-payment, the agency warned in a statement.

During 2025, USCIS has been embroiled in controversy over allegations of visa restrictions for transgender women and for allowing its agents to assess whether applicants in various processes have made “anti-American” comments or engaged in “anti-American” conduct.