The Financial Express recently featured Divij Kishore, Founding Attorney at Flagship Law, in its article “H-1B, Green Card Applicants Must Now Pay USCIS Fees Electronically via U.S. Bank or Credit Card.” The story covers a major procedural shift from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requiring that all filing fees be paid electronically—ending the long-standing acceptance of paper checks and money orders.
Starting October 28, 2025, USCIS now mandates that all fees for petitions and applications, including H-1B (Form I-129), F-1 student extensions (Form I-539), work authorizations (Form I-765), and green card applications (Form I-485), must be paid either by ACH debit through a U.S. bank account (Form G-1650) or credit/debit card (Form G-1450).
Kishore explained the challenges this poses for applicants outside the United States or new arrivals without a U.S. bank account. “USCIS doesn’t accept international payments,” he noted. “That can pose a challenge for applicants outside the country or those who have just arrived and don’t yet have a U.S. account.”
He further clarified that individuals without access to U.S. banking can still use U.S.-issued or prepaid credit cards to comply with the rule. For those abroad or filing independently, Kishore cautioned that “they’ll need someone in the U.S.—often an attorney or employer—to process the payment on their behalf.”
Flagship Law continues to guide employers, investors, and foreign professionals through evolving immigration compliance and filing protocols, ensuring clients remain aligned with regulatory updates while avoiding costly errors or rejections.
Read the full Financial Express feature:
H-1B, Green Card Applicants Must Now Pay USCIS Fees Electronically via U.S. Bank or Credit Card