USCIS exempts form I-539 biometric services fee for all applicants
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the exemption of the biometric services fee as part of the application requirements for Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, beginning Oct. 1.
On April 19, USCIS announced that the agency was extending temporary suspension of the biometrics submission requirements for certain applicants filing Form I-539 until Sept. 30. USCIS also announced plans to remove the requirement for all I-539 applicants.
Policy highlights
Beginning Oct. 1, we are exempting the $85 biometric services fee as part of the application process for Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status.
Applicants do not need to pay the fee if their application is postmarked Oct. 1 or later. However, certain applicants who file Form I-539 prior to Oct. 1 will still be scheduled for an ASC appointment and should still attend.
In most cases, applicants will not be scheduled to attend a biometric services appointment. However, if USCIS determines that biometrics are required, the applicant will receive a notice with information about appearing for their biometric services appointment.
If an applicant mistakenly submits the biometric services fee and the payment is submitted separately from the Form I-539 fee, we will return the biometric services fee and accept the Form I-539.
If an applicant mistakenly submits the biometric services fee and the payment is combined with a paper-based Form I-539 filing fee, this is considered an incorrect filing and we will reject the Form I-539.
If an applicant mistakenly authorizes a credit card payment that combines the biometric services fee with the application fee, we will accept the application and only charge the application fee.
More information
For additional information on this announcement, please visit our Form I-539 webpage. For more information on USCIS programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn. (PR)
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