Effective October 1, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has exempted the biometric services fee for Form I-539 (application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant status). The biometric services fee exemption will apply to all applicants filing on or after October 1, including those applicants filing Form I-539 requesting an extension of stay in or change of status to H-4, L-2, or E nonimmigrant for whom USCIS had previously suspended the biometrics requirement through September 30, 2023.
The $85 biometric services fee was part of the application process for Form I-539. In most cases, after October 1 applicants will not be scheduled to attend a biometric services appointment. However, if USCIS determines that biometrics are required, the applicant will receive a notice with information about appearing for their biometric services appointment.
If you mistakenly submit the biometric services fee and the payment is submitted separately from the Form I-539 fee, USCIS will return the biometric services fee and accept the Form I-539. If you mistakenly submit the biometric services fee and the payment is combined with a paper-based Form I-539 filing fee, this is considered an incorrect filing and USCIS will reject the Form I-539.
If you mistakenly authorise a credit card payment that combines the biometric services fee with the Form I-539 application fee, USCIS will accept the application, and only charge the application fee.
Source: Moneycontrol
