Form I-539: Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status

Form I-539 is the change-or-extend-status application for nonimmigrants who don't hold employment-based principal status. Common uses include extending a B-1/B-2 visitor stay, changing from B-2 tourist to F-1 student, reinstating F-1 status after a violation, and extending or changing H-4/L-2 dependent status.

Multiple family members changing or extending status together can be included on a single I-539 as co-applicants — a common cost-saving move for H-4 or L-2 families.

The USCIS filing fee is $420 for paper filing and $470 online. Biometrics ($85) that used to be charged separately is now folded into the base fee for I-539. Additional co-applicants add smaller per-person biometrics fees.