Published: May 21, 2023
USCIS issued an alert temporarily suspending the biometrics requirement for specific Form I-539 applicants. The suspension should only last until May 17, 2023 but the USCIS made a new issuance extending the period to September 30, 2023. The office implements the extension to address the processing delays that accumulated due to the limited capacity of Application Support Centers (ASC) when COVID safety protocols were stringent.
What is Form I-539
Form 1-539 is the application form for extending or changing one’s non-immigrant status. The immigrants eligible to use this form are as follows:
- Non-immigrants extending their stay or changing to another nonimmigrant status
- Residents of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) who applied for an initial grant of status
- F and M non-immigrants applying for reinstatement
- Persons seeking V non-immigrant status or its extension
Covered Applications
The Form 1-539 applicants covered by the temporary suspension are those processing the extension of stay in or change of status to:
- H-4 nonimmigrant status
- L-2 nonimmigrant status
- E-1 nonimmigrant status
- E-2 nonimmigrant status, including E-2 CNMI Investors
- E-3 nonimmigrant status, including those opting for E-3D
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(Please note that this article does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between our law firm and the reader and is provided for informational purposes only. Information in this article does not apply to all readers. Readers should not rely on this information as legal advice and should seek specific counsel from a qualified attorney based on their individual circumstances. Thank you.)