The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has recently declared the removal of the $85 biometrics services fee for all Form I-539 applications to change or extend nonimmigrant status, starting from October 1, 2023. This announcement comes as a significant shift in USCIS policy, affecting numerous categories of nonimmigrant visa holders.
Previously, the temporary suspension of the biometric services fee applied solely to H-4, L-2, and E visa applicants. However, in the new policy change, USCIS rescinds the biometric services fee for all I-539 applicants. The categories that will see the change include TD, O-3, P-4, J-2, F-2, and R-2 applicants. The impact of this procedural change will be seen in a diminished financial burden on applicants and a potentially more streamlined application processing procedure.
In an environment where immigration-related fees have frequently been under scrutiny for their accessibility and fairness, this policy change is a welcomed development. Legal professionals managing immigration issues, as well as nonimmigrant visa holders, should stay alert for further changes in USCIS fees and procedures to ensure timely and efficient management of status changes and extensions.
Follow the link for more details on this policy change.