USCIS Eliminates $85 Biometric Fee for I-539 Applicants
Starting October 1, 2023, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has removed the $85 biometric services fee for everyone filling out Form I-539. This form is used by people who want to extend or change their nonimmigrant status, such as H-4, L-2, E, and other categories.
Why This Matters?
Before, most people filling out Form I-539 had to pay an extra $85 and go through biometric screening, where fingerprints, photographs, and digital signatures were collected. This caused a lot of delays and was a headache for applicants, leading to many lawsuits against USCIS. After some temporary fixes, this new change will be here to stay, making the process cheaper and simpler for applicants.
What’s Changing?
- No More Fees: No one filling out I-539 will have to pay the $85 fee anymore.
- Fewer Appointments: Most people won’t have to go for a biometric services appointment, but USCIS might still ask for it if they think it’s necessary.
- Easier Process: If anyone accidentally pays the biometric fee after October 1, USCIS will sort it out, returning separate payments and only charging the application fee for combined payments.
A Welcome Change
This change is a big relief for applicants, cutting costs and reducing delays. It’s a step forward in making the immigration process more user-friendly and is expected to be a positive change for all future applicants. USCIS aims to be more efficient and tackle the backlog of applications that piled up, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
More Information: For more details, visit the USCIS website.
