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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Fill out Form I-539 online

Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status

Form I-539 asks USCIS to extend your stay in your current nonimmigrant status or to change you to a different nonimmigrant status while you are in the United States. F-1 and M-1 students also use it to apply for reinstatement, and it covers some special cases such as V status and an initial grant of status for certain CNMI residents. It cannot be used to extend a stay in, or change to, principal worker classifications such as H-1B, L-1 or O-1; those requests are filed on Form I-129.

Fill out Form I-539Blank form from the USCIS

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Edition
Edition 08/28/24
Pages
7
Fillable fields
159
Checked against the USCIS
November 8, 2026

GuruPDF is not affiliated with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This page explains the form in plain words; it is not legal or tax advice. Always check the official instructions before you file.

Who uses Form I-539

  • Nonimmigrants in the United States who want to extend their stay in their current status, such as B-1 or B-2 visitors
  • Nonimmigrants changing to another nonimmigrant status, for example to F-1 student status or to a dependent status such as H-4 or L-2
  • F-1 and M-1 students applying for reinstatement to student status
  • Residents of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) applying for an initial grant of status
  • Certain spouses and unmarried children of lawful permanent residents seeking V status or an extension of V status

Before you start

  • Your passport and your Form I-94 arrival-departure record number, with copies of the Form I-94 for each person included
  • Your current nonimmigrant status and the date it expires, as shown on your Form I-94
  • A completed and signed Form I-539A for each spouse or child you include, with marriage or birth certificates proving the relationship
  • The USCIS receipt number of any related petition or application your request depends on, such as the principal worker's Form I-129
  • The evidence your category needs, as listed in the instructions: for example Form I-20 for F-1 or M-1, Form DS-2019 for a change to J-1, or a written statement for B-1 or B-2 visitors
  • A full English translation, with the translator's signed certification, of any document in another language

How to fill out Form I-539

  1. Part 1, Items 1-6: Information About You

    Enter your full legal name, your A-Number and USCIS Online Account Number if you have them, and a valid U.S. mailing address in Item 4. A PO box is allowed, and people with a VAWA, T or U case may give a safe mailing address. Answer Item 5; if your physical address is different, give it in Item 6.

  2. Part 1, Items 7-12: Other Information About You

    Give your country of birth, country of citizenship (write "stateless" and explain in Part 8 if you have none), date of birth and U.S. Social Security number, if any. In Item 11, enter your last arrival date, Form I-94 number and passport or travel document details. In Item 12, enter your current nonimmigrant status and the date it expires, or select the box if you were granted Duration of Status (D/S).

  3. Part 2: Application Type

    In Item 1, select one box: reinstatement to student status, an extension of stay in your current status, or a change of status. For a change of status, or a change of employer or information medium for I nonimmigrants, enter the new status and the date you want it to take effect in Item 2. Items 3 and 4 ask whether you are the only applicant and the total number of people included; each co-applicant needs a Form I-539A. Items 5 and 6 ask for your school and SEVIS ID number, if they apply to you.

  4. Part 3: Processing Information

    In Item 1, enter the date you want your status extended until. Items 2 and 3 ask whether your application is based on an extension or change already granted to, or separately requested for, your spouse, child or parent. If so, select the form type (Form I-539 or Form I-129) in Item 4 and give the receipt number in Item 5. If that case is still pending, give the beneficiary's or applicant's name and the date it was filed in Items 6 and 7.

  5. Part 4: Additional Information About the Principal Applicant

    Item 1 asks for your current passport details only if they differ from what you gave in Part 1; if they match, the form tells you to go on to Item 3. Item 2 asks for your physical address abroad. Answer every yes-or-no question in Items 3-15 and explain each "Yes" in Part 8. Item 14 asks whether you have worked in the United States since you were last admitted or granted an extension or change of status: if "Yes", describe each period of employment in Part 8, including the employer, weekly income and whether USCIS authorized it; if "No", explain in Part 8 how you support yourself and include evidence of your income. If you answer "Yes" to Item 15, give the dates you held J-1 or J-2 status in Part 8.

  6. Part 5: Applicant's Contact Information, Certification, and Signature

    Enter your daytime telephone number and, if you have them, a mobile number and email address in Items 1-3. Read the certification, then sign and date in Item 4. A parent or legal guardian may sign for an applicant under 14, and a legal guardian may sign for a mentally incompetent person.

  7. Parts 6-8: Interpreter, Preparer and Additional Information

    Part 6 is completed and signed by anyone who interpreted the form for you, and Part 7 by anyone other than you who prepared it; one person who did both completes both parts. Use Part 8 for explanations and answers that did not fit. Put your name and A-Number (if any) at the top of each sheet, give the page, part and item number for each answer, and sign and date each sheet.

After you fill it out

Print the form, sign Part 5 in ink, and file it with your evidence, a Form I-539A for each co-applicant and the filing fee. Where you file depends on your classification and where you live, so check the current address on the USCIS Filing Addresses for Form I-539 page and the fee on the USCIS Fee Schedule (Form G-1055) before you mail it. USCIS may ask for more evidence, biometrics or an interview, and it tells you its decision in writing. Keep a copy of the completed application for your records.

Signing: USCIS will not accept a stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature, and it rejects an unsigned application. Print the form and sign it by hand in ink; a photocopy, fax or scan of the original handwritten signature is accepted.

Watch out for

  • You cannot use Form I-539 to extend your stay in, or change your status to, principal E-1, E-2, E-2 CNMI or E-3, H-1B, H-1B1, H-2A, H-2B, H-3, L-1, O-1, O-2, P-1, P-2, P-3, Q-1, R-1 or TN classifications; those requests go on Form I-129. USCIS says filing on the wrong form may lead to rejection or denial, and it does not refund fees for a denied case.
  • You cannot get an extension or change of status if you were admitted under the Visa Waiver Program or are in transit (C or TWOV), a crewman (D), or a fiancé(e) or a fiancé(e)'s dependent (K-1 or K-2). K-3 and K-4 nonimmigrants may extend their status but cannot change to another status.
  • USCIS rejects the form if your family name, mailing address, date of birth or current nonimmigrant status (Part 1), or the application type, requested status or total number of people (Part 2), is missing. It also rejects any unsigned form.
  • USCIS lists the edition it accepts in the Edition Date section of its Form I-539 page. All pages you mail must be from that one edition, with the edition date and page numbers visible at the bottom, or USCIS may reject the form.

Questions about Form I-539

When should I file Form I-539?

Generally before your current authorized stay expires, as shown on your Form I-94. The instructions suggest filing at least 45 days, but generally not more than 6 months, before it expires. A late filing may be excused only if you show, among other conditions, that the delay was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond your control and that it was reasonable.

Can my spouse and children be on the same application?

You may include your spouse and unmarried children under 21 as co-applicants for the same extension or change of status if you are all in the same status or they are all in derivative status. Each co-applicant needs a separate Form I-539A, signed by that person; a parent or guardian may sign for a child under 14.

Can I file Form I-539 online with USCIS instead of on paper?

USCIS accepts online filing through a USCIS online account only if you are applying for yourself alone, without co-applicants, for one of the requests listed on its online filing page. A family can apply together on the paper form with a Form I-539A for each co-applicant, or each person can file online separately.

What do B-1 or B-2 visitors send with the form?

The instructions ask for a Form I-94 for each person included and a written statement explaining why you need more time, why the stay would be temporary and how you plan to leave, any effect on your job or residence abroad, and how you will support yourself. For a B-2 extension, USCIS's Form M-752 tips also ask for a copy of a valid passport, and they note there are no appeal rights for a B-2 extension application.

Will I need a biometrics appointment?

USCIS may ask you to provide biometrics (fingerprints, photograph and signature) or come in for an interview. If it needs biometrics, it sends an appointment notice with the date, time and place, and if you do not attend, USCIS may deny your application.

Official information

Page text last reviewed November 7, 2026.

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