This is an important update regarding the payment of immigration filing fees. Effective October 29, 2025, the USCIS will require immigration filing fee payments to be made by credit card. Checks will no longer be accepted as a payment form. Filings will need to be submitted with credit card authorization form G-1450. FSVS will provide Liaisons with Form G-1450 and instructions for completing the form. Corporate Card Services is aware of the new fee payment method and is prepared to increase credit limits for P Cards designated for USCIS filing fee payments.
Sufficient Credit Limits.
Hiring units need to ensure their P Card credit limits are sufficient to cover immigration filing fees. Infrequent sponsors average $3,765 in filing fees per petition per month while heavy users average $75,000 per month during busy months. Declined payments due to insufficient available credit can result in significant immigration consequences such as:
- Foreign National faculty and staff and their family members falling out of immigration status.
- Loss of or delayed work authorization.
- Foreign Nationals required to depart the US.
- Foreign Nationals unable to renew driver’s licenses and professional licenses.
- Foreign Nationals found removable/deportable from the US.
We therefore recommend infrequent users request a $25,000 credit limit for the designated P Card. High users should obtain credit limits of $75,000 in addition to their standard credit limit. We also recommend departments establish a shared services model where immigration filing fees are centralized with a designee at the business analyst level. For example, payments are centralized to one or two designees for an entire school rather than by departments. Please notify FSVS who the designee will be once decided.
Submitting the G-1450.
FSVS will provide Liaisons with instructions for completing the G-1450. A completed G-1450 cannot be emailed to FSVS under USC’s policy on the dissemination of credit card information. Completed forms should only be sent to FSVS through USPS, FedEx/UPS (etc.), or in-person. Do not submit the form through intercampus mail.
Establishing Controls.
Departments will need to establish controls to ensure continuity in the event of turnover or absences of the P Card designee. Controls should include timely reconciliation in order to avoid P Card suspensions. Departments should monitor spending and notifying FSVS if available credit drops below an established level. The notification will allow FSVS to time USCIS petition filings to a billing cycle with sufficient available credit.
Quick reference guides follow for your convenience. Please email your Visa Specialist or fsvs@usc.edu if you have any questions.
