What does the I-539 extension and change of status cost?

Who uses the I-539 and what it costs

The I-539 is the general application for certain nonimmigrants to extend their stay or change to another nonimmigrant status. The regulation, 8 CFR 106.2(a)(26), adds that it covers CNMI residents applying for an initial grant of status, F and M nonimmigrants applying for reinstatement, and persons seeking V nonimmigrant status or an extension as a V nonimmigrant. The fee for all of them is $470, with no fee for nonimmigrant A, G and NATO. The schedule, edition 10/26/26, prints the base row at $470 on paper and $420 online.

The no-fee rows

The schedule prints more $0 rows than the single exemption in the paragraph. They are filing into or out of A, G or NATO status; victims of a severe form of trafficking (T nonimmigrants); victims of qualifying criminal activity (U nonimmigrants); and a B-1 United Nations Mission observer or B-2 dependent of one. Section 106.3(b) separately lists the I-539 in the T nonimmigrant exemptions. These rows show the form is free to file; the schedule is explicit that an exemption does not establish eligibility to file.

Fee waivers are narrow for this form

Unlike the I-90, the I-539 is not on the unconditional waiver list. In 8 CFR 106.3(a)(3)(ii), the I-539 appears only in two limited places: for a noncitizen applying for CW-2 nonimmigrant status, and for an E-2 CNMI investor applying for an extension of stay. For most applicants the answer on this form is that the fee must be paid unless a no-fee row applies. The schedule's I-539 table still ends with the standard line pointing to the I-912 instructions for those who may qualify.

Premium processing options

Two premium processing categories touch the I-539. 8 CFR 106.4(c) prices an application under section 248 to change status to an F, J or M classification at $2,075, and an application to change status as a dependent of an E, H, L, O, P or R nonimmigrant, or to extend stay in that classification, also at $2,075. The schedule prints the F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2, M-1 and M-2 row at $2,075. The regulation's timeframe for both is 30 business days. Premium processing is available only when USCIS has announced it for that benefit.

Online versus paper

The $50 gap between $470 and $420 is the online discount in 8 CFR 106.1(g). Confirm the form version and category can be filed online before you rely on it, since the discount applies only to forms filed through the USCIS electronic system.

Why the edition date matters

The schedule is revised between editions. The USCIS page I read carried an alert that a new edition, 10/26/26, was published on October 28, 2026 and added a filing fee exemption for Form I-290B for Sileiri Doe v. DHS class members. That change concerns a different form, but it shows the table you copy a number from can change within days. For the I-539, confirm the edition printed at the bottom of the schedule pages and the date the page was last reviewed before you pay.

What happens at the payment step

The schedule explains that when you file a form online, the system guides you through paying with a credit, debit or prepaid card, and that bank account withdrawals are also available. It describes a $50 discount for many online filings as "often" available, which is why this page ties the $420 price to the specific row rather than treating every online I-539 as discounted. For a paper filing, the same payment rules as other mailed forms apply, and an incorrect fee means rejection.

Worked example

A visitor files an extension on paper: $470. The same filing online is $420 in the schedule. A dependent child of an A-1 diplomat changing status pays no fee. A student changing to another classification who also buys premium processing pays the base fee plus a separate $2,075, with a 30 business day timeframe in the regulation. The calculator above prints each row exactly as printed, and the source documents control over this summary.

Sources

• eCFR, 8 CFR § 106.2 USCIS fees (title 8, issue date October 14, 2026; eCFR up to date as of October 29, 2026). Read November 2, 2026.
• eCFR, 8 CFR § 106.4 Premium processing service (title 8, issue date October 14, 2026; eCFR up to date as of October 29, 2026). Read November 2, 2026.
• eCFR, 8 CFR § 106.1 Definitions and online discount (title 8, issue date October 14, 2026; eCFR up to date as of October 29, 2026). Read November 2, 2026.
• USCIS Form G-1055, Fee Schedule, edition 10/26/26, and the G-1055 PDF. Read November 2, 2026.

Editions read: eCFR title 8 as of the October 14, 2026 issue date, and Form G-1055 edition 10/26/26. Both were read on November 2, 2026. Fees in this area changed repeatedly in 2024, 2025 and 2026; where the two sources differ, this page says so and does not choose between them. If you need to rely on an amount, confirm it with the official USCIS fee calculator on the day you file, and talk to an immigration attorney or accredited representative about your own case.