USCIS · FORM I-539
I-539 processing time
Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. Below is every processing time USCIS publishes for this form, then USCIS's own quarterly counts.
All other change of status applications
USCIS publishes 1–2.5 months at National Benefits Center and 14–16 months at Service Center Operations (SCOPS).
| Office | Processing time | Receipt date for a case inquiry | Data period |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Benefits Center | 1–2.5 months | August 03, 2026 | March 2026 to August 2026 |
| Service Center Operations (SCOPS) | 14–16 months | June 29, 2025 | March 2026 to August 2026 |
All other extension of stay applications
USCIS publishes 3–2.5 months at National Benefits Center and 11–15.5 months at Service Center Operations (SCOPS).
| Office | Processing time | Receipt date for a case inquiry | Data period |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Benefits Center | 3–2.5 months | August 03, 2026 | March 2026 to August 2026 |
| Service Center Operations (SCOPS) | 11–15.5 months | July 13, 2025 | March 2026 to August 2026 |
Change of status to B nonimmigrant
USCIS publishes 8–9 months for this category, handled at Service Center Operations (SCOPS).
| Office | Processing time | Receipt date for a case inquiry | Data period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Center Operations (SCOPS) | 8–9 months | January 17, 2026 | March 2026 to August 2026 |
Change of status to F or M student or J exchange visitor category
USCIS publishes 8.5–10 months for this category, handled at Service Center Operations (SCOPS).
| Office | Processing time | Receipt date for a case inquiry | Data period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Center Operations (SCOPS) | 8.5–10 months | December 18, 2025 | March 2026 to August 2026 |
Change of status to H4 dependent with I-765
USCIS publishes 7.5–9.5 months for this category, handled at Service Center Operations (SCOPS).
| Office | Processing time | Receipt date for a case inquiry | Data period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Center Operations (SCOPS) | 7.5–9.5 months | January 09, 2026 | March 2026 to August 2026 |
Change of status to H4 dependents
USCIS publishes 10.5–14 months for this category, handled at Service Center Operations (SCOPS).
| Office | Processing time | Receipt date for a case inquiry | Data period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Center Operations (SCOPS) | 10.5–14 months | August 29, 2025 | March 2026 to August 2026 |
Change of status to L dependent
USCIS publishes 14.5–16 months for this category, handled at Service Center Operations (SCOPS).
| Office | Processing time | Receipt date for a case inquiry | Data period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Center Operations (SCOPS) | 14.5–16 months | June 27, 2025 | March 2026 to August 2026 |
Extension of stay for B nonimmigrant
USCIS publishes 8.5–10 months for this category, handled at Service Center Operations (SCOPS).
| Office | Processing time | Receipt date for a case inquiry | Data period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Center Operations (SCOPS) | 8.5–10 months | January 01, 2026 | March 2026 to August 2026 |
Extension of stay for F or M students and J exchange visitor category
USCIS publishes 6.5–8 months for this category, handled at Service Center Operations (SCOPS).
| Office | Processing time | Receipt date for a case inquiry | Data period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Center Operations (SCOPS) | 6.5–8 months | February 23, 2026 | March 2026 to August 2026 |
Extension of stay for H4 dependents
USCIS publishes 10.5–13.5 months for this category, handled at Service Center Operations (SCOPS).
| Office | Processing time | Receipt date for a case inquiry | Data period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Center Operations (SCOPS) | 10.5–13.5 months | September 11, 2025 | March 2026 to August 2026 |
Extension of stay for H4 dependents with I-765
USCIS publishes 5–9 months for this category, handled at Service Center Operations (SCOPS).
| Office | Processing time | Receipt date for a case inquiry | Data period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Center Operations (SCOPS) | 5–9 months | January 25, 2026 | March 2026 to August 2026 |
Extension of stay for L dependents
USCIS publishes 8.5–12 months for this category, handled at Service Center Operations (SCOPS).
| Office | Processing time | Receipt date for a case inquiry | Data period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Center Operations (SCOPS) | 8.5–12 months | October 22, 2025 | March 2026 to August 2026 |
Extension of stay for T nonimmigrant
USCIS publishes 22–25.5 months for this category, handled at Service Center Operations (SCOPS).
| Office | Processing time | Receipt date for a case inquiry | Data period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Center Operations (SCOPS) | 22–25.5 months | September 14, 2024 | March 2026 to August 2026 |
Extension of stay for U nonimmigrant
USCIS publishes 20.5–23 months for this category, handled at Service Center Operations (SCOPS).
| Office | Processing time | Receipt date for a case inquiry | Data period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Center Operations (SCOPS) | 20.5–23 months | November 29, 2024 | March 2026 to August 2026 |
Reinstatement to student status
USCIS publishes 15–17.5 months for this category, handled at Service Center Operations (SCOPS).
| Office | Processing time | Receipt date for a case inquiry | Data period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Center Operations (SCOPS) | 15–17.5 months | May 13, 2025 | March 2026 to August 2026 |
How USCIS describes these numbers: “We generally process cases in the order we receive them. This processing time is based on how long it took us to complete 80% of adjudicated cases over the past six months. Each case is unique, and some cases may take longer than others. Processing times should be used as a reference point, not an absolute measure of how long your case will take to be completed.”
Source: USCIS, Check Case Processing Times, published September 17, 2026; recorded by greencardline October 17, 2026. USCIS shows a range for most forms; what the range means and how the inquiry date is used are explained, with quotes from USCIS, in How USCIS processing times work.
USCIS quarterly counts for I-539
| Quarter | Received | Approved | Denied | Pending | Processing time (months) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024 Q1 | 57,032 | 49,517 | 6,887 | 59,112 | 13.13423215 |
| FY2024 Q3 | 64,349 | 58,607 | 6,840 | 57,669 | 2.5972574 |
| FY2024 Q4 | 69,414 | 57,022 | 6,116 | 63,713 | 2.5972574 |
| FY2025 Q1 | 69,012 | 58,754 | 5,433 | 69,780 | 2.4 |
| FY2025 Q2 | 68,251 | 72,249 | 6,840 | 59,994 | 2.8 |
| FY2025 Q3 | 79,378 | 55,938 | 5,684 | 78,637 | 2.1 |
| FY2025 Q4 | 74,968 | 60,847 | 6,128 | 87,172 | 2.9 |
| FY2026 Q2 | 62,388 | 40,770 | 6,716 | 109,156 | 3.4 |
| FY2026 Q3 | 70,011 | 38,751 | 8,163 | 133,056 | 5.7 |
Source: USCIS, "Number of Service-wide Forms by Quarter, Form Status, and Processing Time" (each quarter links to its file on uscis.gov). Fiscal years start October 1. "Withheld" means USCIS suppressed a small number.
National median by fiscal year
- All Extend/Change Applications: 2.5 months in FY 2025, 3.7 months in FY 2026 (partial year, as published)
| Form | Form Description | Classification or Basis for Filing | FY 2021 | FY 2022 | FY 2023 | FY 2024 | FY 2025 | FY 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I-539 | Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status | All Extend/Change Applications | 9.6 | 6.8 | 5.8 | 2.7 | 2.5 | 3.7 |
Source: USCIS, Historical National Median Processing Time (in Months) for All USCIS Offices for Select Forms By Fiscal Year, Fiscal Year 2021 to 2026 (up to August 30, 2026). Recorded October 17, 2026.