Beginning May 17, 2021, USCIS will suspend the biometrics requirement for certain I-539 applications till May 23, 2022. The biometrics suspension will apply to H-4, L-2, E-1, E-2, and E-3 categories.
If you have a pending application with USCIS for one of these categories on May 17, 2021 and have not received a biometrics notice, you will not receive a biometric services appointment notice.
New applications in these categories that are filed between May 17, 2021, and May 23, 2022, will also not receive a biometrics service appointment notice. Instead, your I-539 application will fall to the next step, and this should shorten the application’s processing time.
USCIS will soon issue further guidance regarding the biometrics requirement suspension and biometrics fee. It is anticipated that USCIS will not refund any payment that is already made on pending applications but will not charge the fee on new applications. ILBSG will continue to monitor the situation and provide any necessary updates.
If you have questions about your biometrics requirements or any immigration-related issue, contact us at ILBSG. We work with you to ensure you get the right advice.