How long is I-539 taking right now?
Each form has a published range for every office, and where yours is handled can change it by months.
I-539 · Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
I-539: fee, documents and who can fileChecked automatically
USCIS posts
0.2 to 2.5 months
All other change of status applications · National Benefits Center
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I-539 by category - fastest first
Pick one to see its dates above.
- All other change of status applicationsNational Benefits Center0.2–2.5 mo
- All other extension of stay applicationsNational Benefits Center0.7–2.5 mo
- Extension of stay for H4 dependents with I-765Service Center Operations (SCOPS)5–9 mo
- Extension of stay for F or M students and J exchange visitor categoryService Center Operations (SCOPS)6.5–8 mo
- Change of status to B nonimmigrantService Center Operations (SCOPS)8–9 mo
- Change of status to H4 dependent with I-765Service Center Operations (SCOPS)7.5–9.5 mo
Form I-539 at a glance
Of the 17 categories USCIS lists for Form I-539, the shortest posted time is 0.2 to 2.5 months, for All other change of status applications; the longest is 22 to 25.5 months (1.8 to 2.1 years), for Extension of stay for T nonimmigrant.
ImmigraMate has recorded no change to the posted range for I-539 at All other change of status applications, now 0.2 to 2.5 months, since it began recording changes on September 17, 2026.
I-539 is the Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. I-539: fee, documents and who can file
Forms decided centrally, at the National Benefits Center or Service Center Operations. Here the category of work is what changes the answer, not the office.
USCIS publishes the time by which 80% and 93% of cases were completed. Confirm on USCIS's processing times page.
Questions about I-539 processing times
How long is Form I-539 taking right now?
For All other change of status applications, USCIS currently posts 0.2 to 2.5 months on Form I-539. These are the figures USCIS published in October 2026. Of the 17 categories USCIS lists for Form I-539, the shortest posted time is 0.2 to 2.5 months, for All other change of status applications; the longest is 22 to 25.5 months (1.8 to 2.1 years), for Extension of stay for T nonimmigrant.
How much does Form I-539 cost?
The USCIS filing fee for Form I-539 is $470.
I-539: fee, documents and who can fileWhat if my I-539 is taking longer than the posted time?
Once your case is older than the upper end of the posted range, 2.5 months for All other change of status applications, USCIS accepts a case inquiry about it as outside normal processing times. Check your case status first: a recent update may already answer the question.
What each case status meansIf a case inquiry does not move it, you can ask your member of Congress to contact USCIS about the case for you.
How a congressional inquiry works