Effective October 1, 2023, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) will no longer require applicants filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, to pay the $85 biometric services fee as part of the application process. Additionally, 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.”

For applicants submitting their I-539 on or after the 1st of October, should they submit the biometric services fee payment by mistake separately from the Form I-539 fee, the Service will return the biometric services fee and accept the Form I-539. However, if an applicant erroneously submits the biometric services fee and the filing fee combined together, USCIS will reject the Form I-539. In cases where an applicant authorizes a credit card payment combining both the biometrics fee and the application fee, USCIS will accept the application and charge only the application fee.

Any application that is filed and postmarked before October 1, 2023, will be subject to the $85 biometrics fee. Additionally, applicants who filed or will be filing their I-539 applications before October 1st may be scheduled to attend a biometrics appointment and should attend said appointment if scheduled.