Extend your visa stay or change to a different visa category.
People in the U.S. on a temporary visa who want to extend their stay or switch to a different visa type.
Form I-539 allows people in the U.S. on temporary visas to either extend how long they can stay or change to a different nonimmigrant visa category without leaving the country.
Confirm your current status allows an extension or change
File I-539 before your current status expires
Include required documents and fee
Do not let your current status expire while the application is pending
Receive new I-94 or approval notice
Tourist or business visitor (B-1/B-2) wanting more time in the U.S. before their authorized stay ends
Student (F-1) dependents extending status alongside the primary student
Changing from one nonimmigrant category to another, such as B-2 to F-1 when starting a study program
Copy of your current I-94 arrival/departure record
Copy of your passport biographic page
Evidence supporting the reason for your extension or change (school acceptance letter, proof of ongoing ties abroad, etc.)
Evidence of sufficient funds to support your continued stay
Filing after status has already expired. While late filing is sometimes excused for good cause, it's far riskier than filing before expiration.
Insufficient evidence of nonimmigrant intent. USCIS wants to see you intend to leave the U.S. eventually — weak ties to your home country can lead to denial.
Working without authorization while pending. An I-539 extension doesn't grant work authorization on its own — a separate EAD (Form I-765) is needed if work authorization applies to your category.
Can I stay in the U.S. while my I-539 is pending? Generally yes, as long as you filed before your current status expired — this is sometimes called "authorized stay" pending a decision.
What if my extension is denied? You may need to depart the U.S. promptly to avoid accruing unlawful presence, which can trigger reentry bars — consult an attorney immediately if this happens.
Can I travel while I-539 is pending? Departing the U.S. while an extension or change of status is pending is generally treated as abandoning the application — check with an attorney before any international travel.
📄 Official Form on USCIS.gov →Use ClearPath's free tools to check your own situation
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