USCIS Announces Temporary Suspension of Biometrics for H-4/L-2 Applications

Today USCIS officially announced its temporary suspension of biometrics requirement for certain I-539 applicants. The suspension becomes effective Monday, May 17, 2021 and will apply to applicants filing Form I-539 requesting the following:

· Extension of stay in or change of status to H-4 nonimmigrant status;

· Extension of stay in or change of status to L-2 nonimmigrant status;

· Extension of stay in or change of status to E-1 nonimmigrant status;

· Extension of stay in or change of status to E-2 nonimmigrant status (including E-2C (E-2 CNMI Investor)); or

· Extension of stay in or change of status to E-3 nonimmigrant status (including those selecting E-3D).

The suspension will apply through May 17, 2023. The announcement also states that the biometrics suspension applies only to the above categories of I-539 applications that are either:

· Pending as of May 17, 2021 and have not yet received a biometrics appointment notice;

OR

· New applications postmarked or submitted electronically on or after May 17, 2021.

If you have already filed your I-539 application and have received your biometrics appointment notice, USCIS has stated that you should still attend your scheduled appointment.

Further, USCIS has stated that effective May 17, 2021, I-539 applicants meeting the above criteria are no longer required to submit the $85 biometric services fee along with the application.

To read the entire USCIS alert, click here.