Early on Friday, March 8^th, 2019, U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will post a new Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status and a new Form I-539A, Supplemental Information for Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status on their website at www.uscis.gov/i-539. On Monday, March 11^th, 2019, USCIS will begin accepting the new Form I-539, which must be accompanied by a signed Form I-539A for each dependent included in the application. The new Form I-539 requires a biometric fee of $85 in addition to the form filing fee of $370, for a total of $455. Each dependent included on the application must also pay the $85 biometrics fee. This biometrics fee will be required for all applicants and dependents, regardless of age.

If you intend to file the old Form I-539, it must be received by USCIS on or before March 21^st, 2019. Old forms that are received by USCIS after March 21^st, 2019 will be rejected. On March 25^th, 2019, USCIS will begin processing and issuing receipt notices for the new Form I-539 application received after March 11^th, 2019. These receipt notices will list the actual date of receipt, even though they will not be processed until on or after March 25^th, 2019.

With the new biometrics requirement, each person included in the application will receive a notice in the mail for an appointment at the nearest Application Support Center (ASC). If you cannot make the scheduled appointment, you must follow the instructions on the notice to reschedule the appointment. Without completing the biometrics as required, your application may be denied. Make sure to take the appointment notice and a valid photo ID with you to your appointment. At the ASC, all applicants will be required to have their photo taken, provide fingerprints, and/or provide their signature.