Please note that all the processing data in this blog is directly fetched from USCIS Case Processing Times every month. Our team manually checks and verifies the accuracy of this data to provide the most up-to-date information for our readers. However, we kindly remind our readers that the contents of this blog are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.

Every year, many people apply for visas and green cards, which are permissions to live in and enter the United States. The USCIS can only process some applications, so some people have to wait a long time, even years. And sometimes, the USCIS makes mistakes.

EZ485, thus manually gathering processing timetable directly from USCIS, 

Make it easier for applicants to see how fast USCIS processes I-539.

What is Form I-539

Form I-539 is designed for certain nonimmigrants to extend their stay or change to another nonimmigrant status. Please note the following nonimmigrants status can not use I-539 to apply; applicants need to use other forms:

  • E-1 principal treaty traders and E-1 principal employees of a treaty trader
  • E-2 principal treaty investors and E-2 principal employees of a treaty investor
  • E-2 CNMI principal investors
  • E-3 principal specialty occupation workers from Australia
  • H-1B, H-1B1, H-2A, H-2B, and H-3 nonimmigrants
  • L-1 nonimmigrants
  • O-1 and O-2 nonimmigrants
  • P-1, P-2, P-3, P-1S, P-2S, or P-3S nonimmigrants
  • Q-1 nonimmigrants
  • R-1 nonimmigrants
  • TN-1 and TN-2 nonimmigrants

What is Form I-539 Filing Fee

According to USCIS, I-593 costs $370, and you also need to pay $85 as biometric services fee.

Where to send I-539 Application

I-539 requires the application to be sent to the correct filing office, otherwise incorrect filing location will cause processing delays.

Please find the location of the filing in this link.

How to Determine which USCIS Processing Center Handle Your I-539

You must locate which processing center handles your I-539 application to find the correct processing time.

Please refer to the following example to find your USCIS processing center location.

I-539-receipt-sample

Form I-539 Processing Time

CategoryOffice80% of cases are completed within
Change of status to B nonimmigrantCalifornia Service Center12.5 Months
Nebraska Service Center22 Months
Potomac Service Center23 Months
Texas Service Center30.5 Months
Vermont Service Center10 Months
Change of status to H4 dependent with I-765California Service Center5 Months
Nebraska Service Center4 Months
Texas Service Center4 Months
Vermont Service Center2.5 Months
Change of status to F or M student or J exchange visitor categoryCalifornia Service Center8 Months
Nebraska Service Center12 Months
Potomac Service Center8 Months
Texas Service Center8.5 Months
Vermont Service Center5 Months
Change of status to H4 dependentsCalifornia Service Center5.5 Months
Nebraska Service Center6 Months
Texas Service Center5.5 Months
Vermont Service Center4.5 Months
Change of status to L dependentCalifornia Service Center7 Months
Nebraska Service Center7 Months
Texas Service Center5.5 Months
Vermont Service Center5.5 Months
All other change of status applicationsCalifornia Service Center10 Months
National Benefits Center2 Weeks
Nebraska Service Center21.5 Months
Potomac Service Center20.5 Months
Vermont Service Center5.5 Months
Extension of stay for B nonimmigrantCalifornia Service Center11.5 Months
Nebraska Service Center21.5 Months
Potomac Service Center22.5 Months
Texas Service Center30.5 Months
Vermont Service Center10 Months
Extension of stay for H4 dependents with I-765California Service Center3 Months
Nebraska Service Center2.5 Months
Texas Service Center4.5 Months
Vermont Service Center3.5 Months
Extension of stay for F or M students and J exchange visitor categoryCalifornia Service Center6 Months
Nebraska Service Center11.5 Months
Potomac Service Center14.5 Months
Texas Service Center11.5 Months
Vermont Service Center4.5 Months
Extension of stay for H4 dependentsCalifornia Service Center5 Months
Nebraska Service Center3 Months
Texas Service Center5 Months
Vermont Service Center5 Months
Extension of stay for L dependentsCalifornia Service Center6.5 Months
Nebraska Service Center6.5 Months
Texas Service Center3.5 Months
Vermont Service Center3.5 Months
All other extension of stay applicationsCalifornia Service Center11.5 Months
National Benefits Center2.5 Months
Nebraska Service Center21 Months
Potomac Service Center23 Months
Vermont Service Center4.5 Months
Extension of stay for T nonimmigrantVermont Service Center10.5 Months
Extension of stay for U nonimmigrantVermont Service Center10 Months
Reinstatement to student statusCalifornia Service Center17.5 Months
Reinstatement to student statusVermont Service Center11 Months

 

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