Green Card Fees — Payment Methods and Prepaid Cards

What green card payment fees cover

A green card payment fee depends on the form you file, not one flat charge. For Form I-90, used to renew or replace a green card, USCIS lists a $465 paper filing fee and a $415 online filing fee. These rates took effect under the 2024 fee rule. Check the current USCIS fee page and your form instructions before paying, since fees can change.

The Form I-90 fee generally includes biometrics when USCIS requires them. Do not add a separate biometrics fee unless the current instructions tell you to do so. Other green card steps, such as adjustment of status, use different forms and fee amounts. A family may also owe separate fees for each person and each application.

Use the official USCIS filing fee page to check the amount. The fee listed for one form does not cover every immigration filing. Review the edition date and filing address, too. Sending the right amount to the wrong place can delay or derail a case.

Save a copy of the fee page or form instructions you used. This gives you a record if the amount changes while you prepare your package. Fees are usually not refunded just because USCIS denies an application or you later change your mind.

• Form I-90 paper filing: $465 under the current published fee schedule
• Form I-90 online filing: $415 under the current published fee schedule
• Confirm the amount on the form page before submitting

USCIS payment choices: online, card, or bank debit

Online filing is often the simplest choice when USCIS offers it for your form. You submit through a USCIS account and pay as part of the filing process. The amount due should appear before you confirm payment. Save the receipt number and payment record after submission.

For paper filings, payment choices depend on current USCIS rules and the form instructions. USCIS has moved toward electronic payments for paper applications. Its accepted methods may include a debit from a U.S. bank account using Form G-1650, or a card payment using Form G-1450. Do not assume that checks or money orders are still accepted.

Older instructions may mention checks or money orders. Rules can change, and a stale copy may not reflect current intake policy. Before mailing, open the latest form instructions and the USCIS payment guidance. If they conflict, use the current official filing page or ask USCIS for clarification.

When paying by card, ensure the card can process the full amount and permits the payment type. The cardholder's name, billing details, and signature must match the requested fields. Keep enough available credit or balance for the fee and any pending holds. A payment that fails may cause USCIS to reject the filing.

Can you use a prepaid card to pay?

A prepaid card may work for a USCIS fee if it runs on an accepted card network and allows the type of charge USCIS makes. The card must have enough funds for the full fee. Some cards also require registration of a billing address before online use. Read the card issuer's terms before relying on it.

A prepaid card payment system can help applicants set aside a fixed amount for a filing. It may also reduce the need to use a bank account. Yet prepaid cards can decline government or online payments. Some issuers block recurring, international, or unusual transactions as a fraud safeguard.

Check these details with the issuer before filing:

• The card supports online or government payments.
• The available balance exceeds the full USCIS fee.
• The card has a registered billing address, if needed.
• The card will remain active through the expected payment date.
• The issuer can explain how to check pending charges and declines.

Do not split a single filing fee across several cards unless USCIS instructions expressly allow it. A partial payment may not count as a valid fee. If your prepaid card has a daily limit, low balance, or short expiry date, use another accepted method. A bank debit or different card may be more reliable.

Payment mistakes that can delay a filing

The most common error is paying the wrong amount. Applicants may use an old fee chart, miss a separate fee, or pay the online rate for a paper filing. Match the fee to the exact form, filing method, and applicant. Recheck the total before you send the form.

Another risk is using a payment method USCIS no longer accepts. An old blog post, saved checklist, or sample packet may refer to checks or money orders. Verify current instructions on the official form page. Do not rely on advice written before a rule change.

Card details can cause trouble, too. A wrong billing address, expired card, low balance, or missing signature can lead to a decline. Check the name and card details on Form G-1450 before sealing your packet. Do not include card security details unless the form asks for them.

Before filing, make a short payment check:

1. Confirm the current fee and accepted method.
2. Check that the form edition and filing location are current.
3. Verify the card balance or bank funds.
4. Keep a copy of the payment form and the full filing package.
5. Use a trackable delivery method for paper filings.

What to do when a payment fails

If an online payment is declined, first check your account for a pending charge. A declined screen does not always mean no charge was attempted. Contact your card issuer or bank to ask whether it blocked the payment. Do not submit the same payment repeatedly before checking.

If USCIS rejects a paper filing for payment, read the notice closely. It should state whether the filing was rejected and what happened to the package. Correct the payment issue and prepare a fresh filing if required. Follow the notice and current instructions rather than mailing a second payment on its own.

For a card payment, ask the issuer to permit the USCIS charge if it was blocked. Then use a valid payment method and complete any required form again. Keep the decline notice, issuer response, and any USCIS receipt or rejection notice. These records help you track the issue.

After successful filing, check your USCIS account or paper receipt notice for confirmation. Online account updates may appear before a paper notice arrives. If the expected receipt does not arrive, contact USCIS through its official support channel. Have your name, form type, filing date, and delivery proof ready.

Payment timing, refunds, and receipt checks

USCIS generally collects the fee when it accepts a filing for processing. Card and bank payment posting times can vary by issuer. A pending charge is not the same as a final posted charge. Keep checking both your payment account and USCIS case record.

Most filing fees are nonrefundable, even if USCIS denies the case or you withdraw it. A refund may apply in limited cases, such as a duplicate charge or an agency error. Do not count on a refund for a rejected or incomplete application. Check the current USCIS policy and notice for your case.

To confirm payment, save the online confirmation page, receipt number, and bank or card record. For a mailed form, retain a copy of the payment authorization and proof of delivery. Do not send sensitive card details in a follow-up letter unless USCIS requests them through a secure process.

FAQs about green card payment fees

How much is the green card renewal fee?

USCIS lists Form I-90 at $465 for paper filing and $415 for online filing under its current published schedule. Check the official fee page before you submit, since rates can change.

Can I pay a green card fee with a prepaid card?

Possibly, if the card supports the charge and has enough available funds. Ask the issuer about government payments, address registration, and transaction limits before filing.

Can I still pay USCIS with a check or money order?

Do not assume those methods are accepted. USCIS payment rules have shifted toward electronic payment for paper filings. Check the latest instructions for your form before mailing it.

When will USCIS process my payment?

USCIS generally attempts payment when it receives and reviews the filing. Posting time depends on your bank or card issuer. A pending charge may appear before the payment is final.

Are green card filing fees refundable?

Usually not. Denial, withdrawal, or a change of plans does not normally make a filing fee refundable. Contact USCIS if you see a duplicate charge or suspect an agency error.

How do I know USCIS received my payment?

Look for an online confirmation or USCIS receipt notice, then check your bank or card account. Keep delivery proof for paper filings and contact USCIS if no receipt arrives.