How to Pay I-140 and I-907 Fees for EB1A & EB2 NIW as Self-Petitioners

Important Update - October 2025

⚠️ Critical Change: Starting October 28, 2025, USCIS will no longer accept paper checks or money orders. Only electronic payments via Form G-1650 (ACH debit) or Form G-1450 (credit card) will be accepted. Although this change is not yet reflected on the I-140 form instructions page, USCIS has announced this policy effective October 28, 2025.

Introduction

When filing your EB1A or EB2 NIW petition as a self-petitioner, you must pay the required government filing fees for Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) and, if applicable, Form I-907 (Request for Premium Processing). This guide explains all available payment methods and provides critical recommendations to help ensure your payment is accepted without delay.

Overview of Required Fees

• Form I-140 Filing Fee: $715
• Asylum Program Fee (mandatory): $300 (reduced from $600 for self-petitioners)
• Form I-907 Premium Processing Fee: $2,805 (optional)

Total for I-140 submission: $1,015 as of September 2025
Always verify the latest fee amounts using the USCIS Fee Schedule before submitting your petition.

Available Payment Methods

Current Payment Methods (Until October 28, 2025)

USCIS currently accepts the following methods for petitions filed by mail:

1. ACH Debit (Form G-1650) - NEW

   • Use Form G-1650: Authorization for ACH Transactions
   • Direct debit from your U.S. bank account
   • Must have sufficient funds to cover all fees
   • Recommended: More reliable than credit card processing

2. Credit Card (Form G-1450)

   • Use Form G-1450: Authorization for Credit Card Transactions
   • Accepted cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover
   • Important: USCIS will only attempt to process your credit card once. If the charge fails (e.g., flagged by your bank as suspicious), your entire petition will be rejected and returned.

3. Personal Check (Will be discontinued after October 28, 2025)

   • Must be from a U.S. bank
   • Must include your name, address, and phone number
   • Must have a 9-digit routing number
   • Payable to: U.S. Department of Homeland Security

4. Certified Check (Will be discontinued after October 28, 2025)

   • Must also be issued by a U.S. bank with a 9-digit routing number
   • Funds are guaranteed
   • Payable to: U.S. Department of Homeland Security

5. Money Order (Will be discontinued after October 28, 2025)

   • Purchase from USPS, U.S. bank, or major retailers
   • Payable to: U.S. Department of Homeland Security

6. Attorney/Representative Check (Will be discontinued after October 28, 2025)

   • If using legal representation, your attorney may pay using their firm's business check

After October 28, 2025 - Only Electronic Payments

Starting October 28, 2025, USCIS will only accept:

1. ACH Debit via Form G-1650

   • Direct debit from U.S. bank account
   • Most reliable payment method

2. Credit Card via Form G-1450

   • For those without U.S. bank accounts
   • Prepaid credit cards are acceptable

Do not send cash. If you don't have a U.S. bank account, you can use Form G-1450 with prepaid credit cards to pay filing fees.

How to Prepare Your Payment

• Always submit separate payments for each fee:

  • $715 for I-140 filing fee
  • $300 for the asylum program fee
  • $2,805 for I-907 (if applying for premium processing)

• ACH Debit via Form G-1650 (Recommended):

  • Submit a separate Form G-1650 for each fee ($715, $300, and $2,805 if applicable)
  • Fill out each form completely with your bank account information
  • Sign each authorization form
  • Ensure sufficient funds are available in your account
  • Place them on top of your application packet

• Credit Card via Form G-1450:

  • Submit a separate Form G-1450 for each fee ($715, $300, and $2,805 if applicable)
  • Fill out each form completely and sign
  • Place them on top of your application packet
  • Double-check your card's credit limit and fraud protection settings before filing

• Checks or Money Orders (Only until October 28, 2025):

  • Make each payment separately
  • Pay to: U.S. Department of Homeland Security (no abbreviations)
  • Include your name and A-number (if applicable) on the memo line

Our Recommendation

Before October 28, 2025:

We recommend using Form G-1650 (ACH Debit) as your primary payment method, as it:

• Provides direct, secure transfer from your bank account
• Has lower risk of rejection compared to credit cards
• Creates a clear electronic trail

If you cannot use ACH debit, certified checks or money orders remain good alternatives until October 28, 2025.

After October 28, 2025:

You must use Form G-1650 (ACH Debit) if you have a U.S. bank account. This method is:

• More reliable than credit card processing
• Less likely to be flagged for fraud
• Creates immediate electronic confirmation

Avoid credit cards when possible because:

• Credit card payments are processed only once — if your bank declines the transaction (e.g., suspecting fraud), USCIS will reject and return the entire packet
• Fraud detection systems may flag large government transactions

Tips & Common Mistakes

• Write separate checks or money orders for each individual fee ($715, $300, and $2,805 if applicable)
• Always write out the payee in full: U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• Never send cash
• Use a U.S. bank with a 9-digit routing number
• Keep copies of all checks, money orders, or G-1450 forms for your records
• Ensure your credit card is authorized for large, one-time government transactions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I pay both I-140 and I-907 with one check or money order? A: No. As of September 2025, you must submit separate payments for each required fee.

Q: What happens if my payment is declined?
A: USCIS will reject your entire petition packet. You must correct the issue and refile.

Q: Can I pay online? A: Not currently. As of September 2025, online payment is not available for I-140 or I-907 when filing by mail. However, electronic payments via ACH debit (Form G-1650) are now available.

Q: What if I don't have a U.S. bank account after October 28, 2025? A: You can use Form G-1450 with a prepaid credit card purchased in the United States.

Q: When do checks and money orders stop being accepted? A: October 28, 2025. After this date, only electronic payments (ACH debit or credit card) will be accepted.

For the most current information, always refer to the official USCIS website.