Form I-539 processing time
I-539 Change of status to L dependent
Processing time trend
Months to decision
FY diamonds are USCIS-published yearly national averages. Weekly points average our daily snapshots. Daily points are individual USCIS snapshots from the last 30 days.
Summary · Updated 2026-06-23
As of 2026-06-23, USCIS reports a 10.5 Months to 14.5 Months processing time for Form I-539 Change of status to L dependent cases handled by Service Center Operations (SCOPS). This range represents the time to complete 80% of these cases. If your filing receipt is dated before April 21, 2025, you may submit a case inquiry to USCIS.
How long does I-539 Change of status to L dependent take?
USCIS currently publishes a range of 10.5 Months to 14.5 Months for Form I-539 Change of status to L dependent cases handled by Service Center Operations (SCOPS), as of . This is the time to complete 80% of cases of this type at this office — your case may resolve faster or slower than the published range.
Can I submit a case inquiry?
USCIS accepts case inquiries when your receipt date is older than the published inquiry date. For I-539 Change of status to L dependent at Service Center Operations (SCOPS), that date is currently April 21, 2025. If your filing receipt is dated before that, you can submit a service request through your USCIS online account.
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How to read the chart
The chart combines four data sources, oldest to newest: USCIS-published fiscal-year averages from FY2014 (including the current partial year), drawn from USCIS's Historic Processing Times page; weekly averages computed from our daily snapshots; and daily snapshots for the most recent 30 days. A flat line means the published range was unchanged in our snapshots, not that nothing is happening on individual cases.
Source & methodology
All processing-time figures on this page come directly from USCIS's official Processing Times tool. We snapshot the published ranges every weekday and store the time series for trend analysis. Historic fiscal-year medians come from USCIS's Historic Processing Times page. This site is independent and not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency.
Frequently asked questions about I-539
What is Form I-539?
Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. Used to request more time in your current status (e.g., extending B-2 visitor status) or to switch to a different nonimmigrant category (e.g., F-1 to H-1B is typically handled via I-129 instead, but B-2 to F-1 uses I-539).
What case types commonly use I-539?
B-1/B-2 visitor extensions; F-1/F-2/M-1/M-2 student status changes; J-1/J-2 exchange visitors; H-4/L-2/O-3/P-4/R-2 dependents (extension or change of status); K-3/K-4 (less common).
Can I file I-539 for my H-4 spouse separately?
Yes, but it's typical to file H-4 dependents on a single I-539 alongside the principal's I-129 H-1B extension or change. If filed concurrently, USCIS often processes them together. If filed separately, the H-4 case can lag the principal's.
Can I work on I-539 status?
Not on the I-539 itself — it's a status application, not a work authorization. H-4 dependents of certain H-1B holders (those with approved I-140 or post-6-year extension) can file a separate I-765 for an EAD; L-2 spouses are automatically work-authorized incident to status.
How long does I-539 take?
Highly variable by case type. H-4 and L-2 extensions filed alongside principal's I-129 typically process together. B-2 extensions can take 4-8 months. Some I-539 categories are eligible for premium processing (H-4, L-2, E dependents) for $1,965 — file Form I-907.
What's the 240-day work rule for H-4 EAD renewals?
If your H-4 EAD renewal is filed timely (before expiration), federal regulations provide a 540-day automatic extension of EAD validity for certain categories (as of 2024 USCIS policy). This may allow continued employment while the renewal is pending.
Helpful guides
Other I-539 case types
- All other change of status applications
- All other extension of stay applications
- Change of status to B nonimmigrant
- Change of status to F or M student or J exchange visitor category
- Change of status to H4 dependent with I-765
- Change of status to H4 dependents
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