Form I-539 Filing Fee: $420 Online, $470 Paper
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.
How much is the Form I-539 filing fee?
The USCIS filing fee for Form I-539 is $420 online / $470 paper — General filing. Filing through a USCIS online account saves $50. This is the USCIS filing fee only: it does not include attorney fees, premium processing, or fees collected by the Department of State.
General filing.
| Filing category | Online | Paper |
|---|---|---|
| General filing | $420 | $470 |
Add this to the fee calculator → · Official USCIS calculator
Filing fees taken from USCIS Form G-1055 (the fee schedule), fee-schedule edition 05/29/26, last checked 2026-07-11. Fees change frequently — confirm your exact total on uscis.gov before filing.
Which edition of Form I-539 is current?
The current edition of Form I-539 is dated 08/28/24. The edition date is printed at the bottom of every page, and every page you file must come from that same edition — USCIS rejects filings made on a superseded edition. Download a fresh copy from uscis.gov right before you file and check the date again.
Two different dates — don't mix them up. 08/28/24 is Form I-539's own edition date, printed on the form. 05/29/26 is the edition of USCIS Form G-1055, the fee schedule the amounts above come from. They are two separate documents that change on separate timetables; only the 08/28/24 date is what USCIS checks on your form.
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.
See how many errors are on your I-539 — free
Upload your completed I-539 and FormGuard reads it line by line in about a minute. Your risk level and the number of issues it found are shown to you first, free. $39, one time, unlocks the full report — every issue, where it is, and how to fix it. (A scanned PDF longer than 3 pages skips the free count and goes straight to the paid report.) Your file is analyzed and never stored.
See how many errors my I-539 has — free →Prefer to check it yourself? Use the I-539 pre-filing error checklist — or take the free 2-minute "will USCIS reject my I-539?" quiz.
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 (it should read 08/28/24) 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 by hand. Only a handwritten ink signature — or a scan, photocopy, or fax of one — is valid on a paper I-539. A typed name, a cursive or script font, a stamp, or e-signature software output (such as DocuSign) is not. Electronic signatures count only when captured through a USCIS online account during online filing. Under the DHS signature rule effective 07/10/2026, an invalid signature on a paper filing can be denied — USCIS keeps the filing fee and there is no opportunity to cure — not merely rejected.
- 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?
The G-1055 schedule prices I-539 at $420 filed online and $470 on paper — $50 cheaper online. USCIS changes which forms and categories it accepts online, so check uscis.gov for the current filing options for your situation before you file.
Which edition of Form I-539 is current?
The current edition of Form I-539 is dated 08/28/24, printed at the bottom of every page. Every page you file must come from that same edition — USCIS rejects filings made on a superseded edition. Note that this is the form's own edition date and is different from the 05/29/26 edition of USCIS Form G-1055, the fee schedule the fees on this page come from.
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.