Form I-539: Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
Requests more time in your current nonimmigrant status, or a change to a different nonimmigrant status, without leaving the U.S.
General filing.
Add this to the fee calculator → · Official USCIS calculator
Verified from USCIS Form G-1055, edition 05/29/26. Fees change frequently — confirm before filing.
Who files Form I-539?
Visitors, students, dependents, and other nonimmigrants (and their dependents) who need to extend or change status.
Most common I-539 mistakes that cause rejections
USCIS rejects or issues a Request for Evidence on filings every day for small, fixable errors. For I-539, the ones we see most often are:
- Filing after your authorized status has already expired.
- Missing the I-94 or other evidence of current status.
- Listing dependents incorrectly (each may need their own form or supplement).
- Selecting the wrong requested status category.
Check your I-539 before you file
Upload your completed I-539 and FormGuard reviews it for these exact rejection triggers in about a minute — for $39, one time. Your file is analyzed and never stored.
Check my I-539 for errors — $39 →How to file Form I-539 without getting rejected
- Use the current edition. USCIS rejects outdated editions — check the date printed at the bottom of the form against uscis.gov.
- Answer every field. Write “N/A” or “None” instead of leaving anything blank — blanks are a leading rejection cause.
- Be consistent. Your name, A-Number, and dates must match exactly across every form and supporting document.
- Sign and date correctly. An unsigned or wrongly-signed form is rejected outright.
- Translate foreign documents. Include a complete certified English translation of anything not in English.
- Pay the exact fee. Use the fee calculator and confirm on uscis.gov — the wrong amount gets the package returned.
Related forms
Form I-539 — frequently asked questions
How much is the Form I-539 filing fee?
The USCIS filing fee for I-539 is $420 online / $470 paper (General filing), per the current G-1055 schedule (edition 05/29/26). Always confirm at the official USCIS fee calculator before filing.
Can I file Form I-539 online?
Many applicants can file I-539 through a USCIS online account, which is $50 cheaper than paper filing. Check uscis.gov for current online-filing availability for your situation.
What happens if my I-539 is rejected?
USCIS returns rejected forms without processing them, and filing fees are generally non-refundable — so you lose time and may have to pay again. Most rejections come from small, avoidable errors, which is why a pre-filing review is worth it.
FormGuard is a private, independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or any U.S. government agency. FormGuard is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. This page provides general information only; fees and form requirements come from published USCIS sources and change frequently — always verify current details at the official government website, uscis.gov, and consult a licensed immigration attorney for complex matters.