New I-539 Form Must Be Used Starting on 3/11/2019

USCIS announced that it has revised Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, and that starting March 11, 2019, it will only accept the new version of the form. A new Form I-539A, also effective March 11, replaces the amendment pages normally used for children. (Parents or guardians may sign on behalf of children under 14 or any co-applicant who is not mentally competent to sign.)

The most significant change to the new form is the requirement that every co-applicant pay a biometrics fee and attend an ASC (Application Service Center) appointment, regardless of age. AILA has requested that USCIS delay implementation for 90 days, but as of late February, the new form and biometrics requirement remain in place.

Published by
Palmer Polaski PC

Recent Posts

Pretermission of Asylum Cases: Documenting an Asylum Case to Prevent Denial Without a Hearing

The immigration court system, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), is currently facing a…

1 month ago

Bond Eligibility and Habeas Petitions

For years, most people held in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention could ask an…

1 month ago

Changes to H-1B Program: Will H-1Bs Survive?

In a proclamation issued by President Trump and effective September 21, 2025, a new fee…

2 months ago

Temporary Immigration Judges

Shortly after the Trump Administration eliminated the requirement for temporary immigration judges to possess knowledge…

2 months ago

Recent Termination and Changes for TPS Holders

There have been a lot of recent changes for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders with…

2 months ago

Visa Bond Program for Certain B-1 / B-2 Visitors

The Start Department has introduced a new visa bond program under a Temporary Final Rule.…

2 months ago