USCIS has begun a new process for most applicants and petitioners, their attorneys, and accredited representatives to pay for certain benefit application forms by mail or remotely rather than in person at a local office. Under the new process, applicants can send a check or the Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, by mail to the local office with your application for benefits. Applicants and petitioners, their attorneys, and accredited representatives should carefully read the filing instructions to ensure that their benefit application form can be submitted by mail or remotely, and that it is filed in the correct location. Any incorrect application will be returned to the applicant, who must then resubmit it to the correct office. By eliminating the need for an office appointment, this new process should save time and money for any applicant who has to pay these fees.

Additionally, attorneys and accredited representatives can now process payments for the EOIR-29, Notice of Appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals about a decision by a DHS officer, through a link in the email or text message from the USCIS Contact Center. Once such payment has been processed, attorneys and accredited representatives must mail their client's EOIR-29; the EOIR-2; his EOIR-27, Notice of Appearance as Attorney or Representative before the Board of Immigration Appeals and your Pay.gov receipt to the local office.

One exception to the new process is emergency advance leave (EAP) requests. Applicants submitting Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, with an EAP application must still schedule an appointment with the USCIS Contact Center, submit the application in person with your package (completed form and supporting documentation) and pay the application fee (if applicable) by credit card using Form G-1450 or by check at the local office.