Starting October 1, 2023, individuals filing Form I-539, known as the Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, are no longer required to pay the $85 biometric services fee. This change, announced by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), applies to filings postmarked on or after October 1, 2023.

For those who submitted a Form I-539 before October 1, 2023, some applicants may still be scheduled for an appointment at the Application Support Center (ASC). If you have such an appointment scheduled, it is essential to attend as instructed. Even for those filing after October 1, 2023, USCIS may still require appointments for some applicants. Regardless of the filing date, if you receive an appointment notification, it is crucial to comply and attend.

In cases where individuals accidentally submit the biometric services fee separately from the Form I-539 fee, a refund for the biometric services fee will be issued, and the associated Form I-539 will continue to be processed. However, if the biometric services fee is mistakenly combined with the paper-based Form I-539 filing fee, this will result in an incorrect filing, and USCIS will reject the Form I-539. If a credit card payment is inadvertently made that includes both the biometric fees and the Form I-539 application fee, the application will be accepted, and only the charge for the application fee will be processed.

Should you have any questions regarding the biometric services fee, the application process, or any other immigration-related concerns, please feel free to reach out to us. We are dedicated to staying informed about ongoing updates to ensure that our clients remain fully compliant with U.S. immigration laws. We are with you every step of the way.