U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on September 25, 2023, that it would exempt all applicants from the biometric services fee required for Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, beginning October 1, 2023.
Previously, USCIS had granted a temporary suspension of the biometrics submission requirements for certain applicants (H, L, and E dependents) filing Form I-539, and that suspension was authorized until September 30, 2023.
What this means:
Beginning October 1, USCIS will not require 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 October 1 or later. However, certain applicants who file Form I-539 prior to October 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, USCIS will return the biometric services fee and accept the Form I-539.
However, 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 USCIS 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, USCIS will accept the application and only charge the application fee.