Overview
- USCIS recommends submitting an extension request about 45 days before the I‑94 expiration date.
- Applicants use Form I‑539, with Form I‑539A for dependents, and should include the I‑94, passport copy, financial evidence, and a clear letter explaining the temporary need.
- Not all visitors qualify for extensions, as holders of C, D, K, S, WT or WB status and those who violated admission conditions are ineligible.
- CBP sets the initial authorized stay, often up to 180 days, and any additional time is granted at USCIS’s discretion with no guarantee of approval.
- Requests can be filed online or by mail, with outlets reporting fees of $420 online and $470 by paper, and mistakes or false information can trigger denial and immediate departure requirements.