Instructions for Filing Form I-539 through USCIS ELIS or E-Filing
Certain individuals are now eligible to file Form I-539 through our new electronic immigration system, USCIS ELIS.
If your current nonimmigrant status is B1, B2, F1, F2, J1, J2, M1, or M2, please visit the USCIS ELIS login page to file your Form I-539.
E-Filing Your Form I-539:
If you are not eligible to use USCIS ELIS, you can e-file your Form I-539. The e-Filing process for applying to extend or change nonimmigrant status has three steps:
- Confirm your eligibility by reading the Form I-539 instructions and referencing the tables below.
- Go to our E-Filing log-in page and fill out form I-539 online. If you wish to e-File the I-539 together with Form I-765, see the “Concurrent e-Filing” section below.
- After you e-File, you will receive a confirmation Form I-797, Notice of Action, which will inform you if you need to provide additional information.
Eligibility to E-File:
You are NOT eligible to e-File Form I-539 if:
- You live outside of the United States, or in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Guam, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- You are applying for a waiver of the filing fee.
- You are requesting to expedite your case.
Extension of Stay:
You may e-File for an extension of stay if your current nonimmigrant status is:
Change of Status:
You may e-File for a change of status if your current nonimmigrant status is:
And, your desired nonimmigrant status is one of the following:
Filing Fee:
Please refer to the I-539 Forms Page for the current filing fee.
Initial Evidence and Supporting Documentation:
See the Form I-539 instructions. USCIS will not begin processing the form until it receives the required supporting documentation.
Concurrent e-Filing:
E-Filed I-539 applications can only be concurrently e-Filed with Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, under the following condition:
- If the I-539 beneficiary is the spouse of an E-1, E-2 or L-1 nonimmigrant (for example: E-1 Dependent, E-2 Dependent, or L-2). Please note: If you wish to concurrently E-File an I-539 with an I-765, you must fill out the I-539 first.
Please see e-Filing Forms Concurrently for more information.
This page can be found at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-filing-i-539
