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General Immigration Information
Rejection Due to Payment

Rejection Due to Payment

Submitting an application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires attention to detail—especially when paying filing fees. A payment error can lead to an immediate rejection, causing unnecessary delays. Not every payment rejection can be avoided—remember, your bank and USCIS can make mistakes too!—but being prepared can reduce your risk. 

Applicants have reported seeing more rejections due to payment when using a credit card.

Sometimes rejections due to payment happen even if everything is correct. Read on to learn more.

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Two Primary Payment Methods 

When mailing paper applications, petitions, or requests to a USCIS Lockbox or Service Center, USCIS requires payment authorizations through two primary methods: Electronic Bank Transfer or Credit/Debit Card.

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Note on Paper Checks & Money Orders: USCIS has generally stopped accepting checks and money orders. Applicants who face hardship (ex. you do not have access to banking services or electronic payment systems) can request to pay via a check or money order via Form G-1651 (Exemption for Paper Fee Payment).

Common Reasons USCIS Rejects Applications for Payment Failures

USCIS does not attempt a second charge if your payment fails. If processing fails on the first attempt, the entire application package is rejected and returned. The most common culprits include:

  1. Bank Fraud Alerts & Security Blocks

    Fraud protection algorithms frequently flag USCIS transactions due to the high amount or unusual merchant category. If your credit card issuer or bank blocks the transaction, USCIS marks it as a payment failure and rejects the packet immediately.

  2. Insufficient Funds or Daily Spending Limits

    There is often a delay of several days or weeks between mailing your package and the moment USCIS attempts intake fee collection. If your bank balance drops or the transaction exceeds your account's daily limit on the processing date, the charge will fail.

  3. Missing or Incomplete Authorization Forms

    Submitting Form G-1450 or G-1650 with missing information will result in immediate rejection. Common mistakes include:

    • Forgetting to sign or date the payment form.
    • Missing expiration dates or card numbers.
    • Illegible handwriting.
    • Providing incorrect routing or account numbers.
  4. Splitting Payment Methods Unlawfully

    USCIS enforces strict rules on combining payment types:

    • You cannot split a single application fee between an ACH transaction (Form G-1650) and a credit card (Form G-1450).
    • If you file multiple benefit requests together, each individual application must have its own dedicated payment form.
    • If you are filing multiple forms together (often called filing concurrently), you must use the same payment type for all fees.
  5. Foreign Financial Accounts

    All USCIS electronic payments must be drawn from financial institutions based in the United States and payable in U.S. currency. Using a non-U.S. bank account or international debit card will result in rejection.

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Proactive Checklist Before Mailing Your Package

  • Notify Your Bank: Call your card issuer or bank prior to filing to authorize upcoming transactions from USCIS.
  • Verify the Exact Fee: Double-check the current USCIS Fee Schedule online, as outdated fee amounts trigger automatic rejections. If you are a SimpleCitizen user, your fee amounts will be pre-filled for your convenience.
  • Separate Forms for Multiple Requests: Include one payment authorization form per benefit request. SimpleCitizen users receive the correct number of payment forms for the application they are filing.
  • Confirm Available Funds: Keep a buffer in your bank account to cover the payment until the charge officially clears.

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Handling a Rejection Due to Payment 

Sometimes rejections due to payment happen.

While some situations might require a more involved approach, resubmission can be fairly straightforward. It typically involves:

  1. Wait: When you receive your application back from USCIS, it will look different. It will include a green piece of paper explaining the rejection, and your application may contain scanmarks and/or your medical exam envelope (if applicable) may be opened.
  2. Evaluate: Ensure all information in the forms and form editions are up to date. SimpleCitizen users should reach out to their case team for support with this step.
  3. Resubmit: Place the green sheet of paper on top of your application and resubmit with a different payment method. Generally, applicants can resubmit the same application that was returned to them even if there are marks or an open medical exam. 

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