What Form I-539 is
Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, is used by people who are in the United States on a temporary (nonimmigrant) status and want to stay longer or switch to a different category — without leaving the country to do it. It is one form that covers two related requests.
You complete and sign it, then file it with USCIS. AnyPDFfiller helps you fill and sign the PDF; the filing is done with USCIS.
Extend or change — two uses of one form
- Extend your stay in the status you already hold — for example a B-1/B-2 visitor asking for more time.
- Change to a different status — for example moving from a visitor category to a student category while remaining in the US.
Some categories have their own separate forms or cannot use the I-539, so check that your situation is one the I-539 covers before you start.
File before your status expires
The key deadline is the date on your Form I-94, the record of your authorized stay. You generally need to file the I-539 before that date passes, and USCIS recommends applying well ahead — often at least 45 days before your current stay ends — so there is time to decide the case. Letting the I-94 date lapse before you file can put your status at risk.
Adding family members
If your dependents hold the same status and are requesting the same extension or change, they can often be included as co-applicants using the I-539A supplement, rather than each filing a separate application. The main form and the supplement are filled the same way here.
How to fill the I-539 with AnyPDFfiller
Download the current Form I-539 (and I-539A if you need it) from the USCIS website and upload the PDF here. Enter your details and the status you are requesting, add any co-applicants, sign it, and download the completed PDF to file with USCIS along with any required evidence.
I-539 questions people ask
Can I use the I-539 to both extend and change status?
The form covers both, but a given application is for one request. Which you choose depends on whether you want more time in your current status or a move to a new one.
When is the deadline to file?
Before the date on your I-94 — and ideally well before, since USCIS suggests applying early. Filing after your authorized stay ends can jeopardize your status.
Can my family be on the same application?
Dependents in the same status can often be added as co-applicants with the I-539A supplement instead of filing separately.
Where do I get a blank I-539 PDF?
Download the latest edition from uscis.gov, then upload it here to fill it in. Use the current edition so USCIS accepts it.
Is filling it online free?
Yes — filling and downloading the I-539 costs nothing here; the watermark-free copy is the paid option, and the USCIS fee is separate.
AnyPDFfiller is an independent PDF-filling tool, not a government service and not a law firm — nothing here is legal advice. Whether the I-539 fits your situation and what evidence to send depend on your status; rely on the official USCIS instructions or a licensed immigration attorney.
