Formi 539 News Today

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has finalized a rule announcing an increase in premium processing fees for specific visa categories, including H-1B applications. Immigration attorneys advise sponsoring employers to consider the new fees in their immigration budget planning.

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 June 12, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced an expansion of premium processing service for applicants filing Form I 539 to change their status to F M or J status. The initiative is part of USCIS’s overall expansion of premium processing,

Individuals filing Form I-539 to request an extension of or change of status to H-4, L-2, E-1, E-2, or E-3 nonimmigrant status will not need to submit the $85 biometric services fee or attend a biometrics appointment, provided the application submitted by September 30, 2023.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has entered into settlement agreement to bundle an application to extend or change H-4 or L-2 status and employment authorization document EAD application. Form I-539 is the application to extend/change nonimmigrant temporary status.

USCIS agreed to bundle adjudication of dependent applicant Form I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status and Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization with primary applicant Form I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker if the forms are filed together.

USCIS announces final phase of premium processing expansion for EB 1 and EB 2 Form I 140 Petitions and future expansion for F1 Students seeking OPT and certain student and exchange visitors. The expansion of premium processing service is part of its effort to increase efficiency.