In this blog post, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program’s government partner, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), explains the new online filing process for eligible F and M students for the Form I-539, “Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status.”

USCIS announced on May 22, 2019 that certain F and M students may use an online version of the Form I-539 to apply for an extension of their stay in the United States.

Visit USCIS.gov/I539Online to see if you can apply online and begin your application.

Currently, filing the Form I-539 online is ideal if you are a vocational student applying as a single applicant with M status. Academic students with F status are unlikely to need to apply to extend their stay because they do not have an expiration date on their status. If you are applying with co-applicants or with an attorney, you must use the paper Form I-539.

Applying online is not mandatory, but it is more convenient. When you apply online, you can:

• Get your application into our processing queue faster than sending it by mail;
• Get updates to your case instantly in your online account;
• Communicate with USCIS using your online account, and;
• Apply using a computer or mobile device.

Applicants who file the Form I-539 online will continue to receive a paper Form I-797, “Notice of Action,” and Form I-94, “Arrival/Departure record,” by mail, when approved.