Overview (What is Form G-1650?)
#Form G-1650 is a payment authorization, not an immigration application. Since 28 October 2025, mailed USCIS filings generally require electronic payment by ACH (G-1650) or card (G-1450), unless the payer qualifies to use Form G-1651 with a paper payment. Online filers enter payment information directly in Pay.gov and do not upload G-1650.
Context and workflow
#USCIS changed paper-filed benefit-request payments on 28 October 2025. Choose G-1650 for an ACH debit from a U.S. bank account, G-1450 for a card, or G-1651 only when you qualify for a paper-payment exemption.
Who uses it
Use G-1650 when you are mailing a USCIS application, petition, or request and want the fee debited from a U.S. bank account. The account holder can be the applicant, petitioner, attorney, employer, family member, or another payer, but that account holder must complete and sign the authorization.
When it is used
- To pay a USCIS benefit request filed by mail from a U.S. checking or savings account
- To authorize one ACH debit for all applicable fees tied to one benefit request, unless the Fee Schedule directs otherwise
- To split one benefit request payment across two U.S. bank accounts using two G-1650 forms whose amounts total the exact fee
What it asks for (What does Form G-1650 ask for?)
#- Whether the account is personal or business
- Whether it is checking or savings
- Exact authorized payment amount in U.S. dollars
- Nine-digit U.S. routing number and bank-account number
- Account-holder name, contact information, signature, and date
What you need (What do you need for Form G-1650?)
#- Current edition of Form G-1650 (edition 06/03/25 at last review)
- Correct USCIS fee for the underlying request
- U.S. checking or savings account that accepts ACH debits
- Routing and account numbers verified with the bank
- Signed authorization from the account holder
Evidence checklist
#- Current edition of Form G-1650 (edition 06/03/25 at last review)
- Correct USCIS fee for the underlying request
- U.S. checking or savings account that accepts ACH debits
- Routing and account numbers verified with the bank
- Signed authorization from the account holder
Checklist (What is the Form G-1650 checklist?)
#- Check the current fee on Form G-1055 and the underlying form page
- Ask the bank to remove any ACH debit block for U.S. Department of Homeland Security transactions
- Complete every account-type, amount, routing, account, and payer field
- Sign and date the form
- Place G-1650 on top of the specific benefit request it pays for
- Use a separate payment authorization for each separate benefit request in a package
Fees
#G-1650 has no separate fee. It authorizes the underlying filing fee.
Where to file
#Do not file G-1650 by itself. Place it on top of the completed benefit request and mail the entire package to the filing address listed for that underlying USCIS form.
Submit application
Send with the underlying paper-filed application, petition, or request to its current Lockbox, Service Center, or other listed filing address.
The payment form does not change where the underlying request is filed. Using the wrong address can delay or reject the package.
Form sections (What sections does Form G-1650 have?)
#Complete G-1650 line by line
Identify whether the account is personal or business and checking or savings. Enter the exact authorized amount, nine-digit routing number, full account number, and account-holder details. The account holder—not necessarily the immigration applicant—must sign and date the authorization. Do not include a foreign account or combine ACH and card authorizations for the same benefit request.
Match payment to the filing
Place G-1650 on top of the specific mailed application, petition, or request it pays for. For a package containing several separate benefit requests, use separate payment authorizations so one defective request does not force USCIS to reject every request tied to a combined payment.
Common mistakes (What mistakes are common with Form G-1650?)
#- Using a foreign bank account
- Leaving personal/business or checking/savings unmarked
- Entering the wrong fee, routing number, or account number
- Combining G-1650 and G-1450 to split one benefit-request fee
- Using one combined payment for several separate benefit requests
- Submitting the unsigned form separately from the filing
Examples (What are examples for Form G-1650?)
#- One mailed I-485 paid from one U.S. checking account uses one signed G-1650 for the exact required I-485 fees.
- Two separate benefit requests in one package use two separate G-1650 authorizations, even if the same bank account pays both.
- One benefit-request fee can be split across two U.S. accounts using two G-1650 forms whose amounts add to the exact total.
- An applicant filing electronically enters bank details in Pay.gov and does not attach G-1650.
Common misconceptions (What misconceptions surround Form G-1650?)
#- G-1650 does not pay the fee by itself; USCIS must successfully debit the listed account.
- It cannot debit a foreign account, even if that account holds U.S. dollars.
- It is not a check or money-order cover sheet and is not used for an online Pay.gov filing.
- A declined ACH debit can cause USCIS to reject the underlying benefit request for lack of payment.
- G-1650 authorizes the stated one-time payment amount; it is not permission for recurring or unrelated withdrawals.
- G-1650 has no separate filing fee, but it is not optional paperwork — failing to include it when required can delay or jeopardize the underlying case.
In-depth guidance
#Complete G-1650 line by line
Identify whether the account is personal or business and checking or savings. Enter the exact authorized amount, nine-digit routing number, full account number, and account-holder details. The account holder—not necessarily the immigration applicant—must sign and date the authorization. Do not include a foreign account or combine ACH and card authorizations for the same benefit request.
How to avoid a payment rejection
Confirm the current fee for the underlying benefit request on Form G-1055 immediately before filing. Keep each payment authorization or exempt paper payment clearly paired with the request it pays for. Save a complete copy of the package and monitor the account or payment instrument after delivery.
Verification
#This guide is based on the official USCIS G-1650 page, instructions, filing-fee guidance, and Policy Manual. Verify the current edition and payment rules immediately before filing.
Resources
#Free United States planning tools
#Itemize the government fees that go alongside Form G-1650.
United States eligibility checker
See which United States visas your profile fits before you finalize Form G-1650.
United States processing times
Get the typical wait time for the visa associated with Form G-1650.
United States interview practice
Practice United States interview questions if your filing route includes one.