Form I-539A, Supplemental Information for Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, is the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) form that each co-applicant completes when more than one person is included in a Form I-539 application. It records the co-applicant's identity, entry, status, passport and background answers, and it carries the co-applicant's own signature. On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the completed PDF. USCIS publishes the official PDF and the instructions, which are shared with Form I-539, at uscis.gov.
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What is I-539A?
Form I-539A, Supplemental Information for Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, is the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) form that carries the personal details of each additional person included in a Form I-539 application to extend stay or change nonimmigrant status.
It is not a stand-alone application. It is attached to Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, when you are applying for more than one person. The person named on Form I-539 does not complete one. Every co-applicant completes a separate Form I-539A and signs it personally.
The form has seven parts:
- Part 1: the name of the person filing Form I-539.
- Part 2: the co-applicant's identity, most recent entry, current nonimmigrant status and passport information.
- Part 3: questions about immigrant petitions, arrests, past conduct, status violations, removal proceedings, employment and J-1/J-2 history.
- Part 4: contact information, certification and signature.
- Part 5: the interpreter's certification, when one was used.
- Part 6: the preparer's declaration, when someone other than the applicant prepared the form.
- Part 7: extra space for additional information.
USCIS prints OMB No. 1615-0003 on the form, which expires 03/31/2027, and the edition date 08/28/24 at the foot of every page. The USCIS instructions for Form I-539 also cover Form I-539A.
Who needs to file I-539A?
A spouse or an unmarried child under 21 years of age who is included as a co-applicant on someone else's Form I-539 completes this form. The USCIS instructions allow you to include your spouse and your unmarried children under 21 in the same extension or change of status request, but only if you are all now in the same status or they are all in derivative status. Each co-applicant completes a separate Form I-539A, with all the requested information for that person.
Do not submit a Form I-539A for the person named in Form I-539. That person's details go on Form I-539 itself.
Who signs: each Form I-539A must be signed by the co-applicant listed on it. A parent or guardian may sign for a child under 14 years of age, and a legal guardian may also sign for a mentally incompetent person.
Some people cannot receive an extension or change of status at all under Form I-539, including those admitted under the Visa Waiver Program and those in C, D, K-1 or K-2 status. Check the "Who May Not File Form I-539" section of the instructions before preparing any supplement.
When to file I-539A
Complete Form I-539A at the same time as Form I-539, because it is submitted with that application whenever you include another person in it. The form has no due date of its own.
The USCIS instructions for Form I-539 say you generally must submit the application before your current authorized stay expires. They suggest filing at least 45 days, but generally not more than 6 months, before the stay expires. Someone seeking an extension of V nonimmigrant status may file no earlier than 120 days before the current expiration date.
A filing after the expiration date may be excused if you show, when you file, that the delay was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond your control, that the delay was reasonable, that you have not otherwise violated your status, that you are still a bona fide nonimmigrant and that you are not in removal proceedings.
Documents you need
- Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative, only if an attorney or accredited representative acts for you; select the box at the top of Form I-539A when it is attached.
- A copy, front and back, of Form I-94 for each person included, when the instructions for the classification you request call for it (for example H-4, L-2, O-3, P-4, R-2, TD or E dependents).
- For B-1 or B-2 applicants filing for an extension or change: the original Form I-94 for each person included in the application.
- For a spouse co-applicant: a copy of the marriage certificate, plus documents showing any previous marriage of either spouse was legally terminated.
- For a spouse co-applicant: a copy of the applicant's visa showing a dependent classification and/or the principal spouse's name.
- For a child co-applicant: a copy of the birth certificate or adoption decree showing the child's name and the parents, and a copy of the visa showing a dependent classification and/or the parent's name.
- For any other relationship: documentary evidence establishing the family member's relationship to you.
- If you answer "No" to Part 3, Item Number 17: documentary evidence of the source, amount and basis of any income that supports you.
- If you answer "Yes" to Part 3, Item Number 18: proof of J-1 or J-2 status, such as a copy of Form DS-2019 or of your passport with the J visa stamp.
- For T-2 to T-6 or U-2 to U-5 derivatives included in the principal's request: a copy of the derivative's Form I-94 or approval notice showing the derivative status already granted.
- For any document in a foreign language: a full English translation with the translator's signed certification, printed name, signature date and contact information.
- The evidence the Form I-539 instructions list for the status you request, such as proof the principal holds status, when it applies to the co-applicant's classification.
How to fill out I-539A
Complete the representative box if needed
At the top, select the box if Form G-28 is attached. If an attorney or accredited representative is involved, add the State Bar Number and the USCIS Online Account Number, if any.
Enter the Form I-539 filer in Part 1
Item 1: type the full legal name of the person filing Form I-539, as Family Name (Last Name), Given Name (First Name) and Middle Name, if applicable.
Enter your identity details in Part 2
Items 1 through 6: your full legal name, date of birth (mm/dd/yyyy), country of birth, country of citizenship or nationality, U.S. Social Security Number (if any) and A-Number (if any).
Describe your most recent entry
Item 7: enter the date of arrival (mm/dd/yyyy), Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record number, passport number, travel document number, country of passport or travel document, issuance date and expiration date.
Enter status and current passport
Item 8: your current nonimmigrant status, for example F-1 student or H-4 dependent, and its expiration date. Item 9: complete only if your current passport differs from Item 7; otherwise go to Item 10. Item 10: your USCIS Online Account Number, if any.
Answer Part 3, Items 1 through 4
Check Yes or No on whether you are an immigrant visa applicant, whether an immigrant petition or Form I-485 was ever filed for you, and whether you have been arrested or convicted since last entering. Explain every "Yes" in Part 7.
Answer Part 3, Items 5 through 14
Check Yes or No for each question on torture, genocide, killing, injuring, sexual contact without consent, limiting religious belief, armed groups, detention work, weapons and military-type training.
Answer Items 15 and 16
Check Yes or No on whether you have violated the terms of your current nonimmigrant status and whether you are now in removal proceedings.
Answer employment and J-1/J-2 questions
Item 17: say whether you have been employed since last admitted or granted an extension or change. Describe employment periods (Yes) or how you support yourself with income evidence (No) in Part 7. Item 18: if you are or were a J-1 or J-2, give your dates of status in Part 7.
Add contact details and sign in Part 4
Enter your daytime telephone number, mobile number and email address, if any. Sign and date (mm/dd/yyyy) in ink; a parent or guardian may sign for a child under 14, and a typed or stamped name is not accepted.
Complete the interpreter and preparer parts
If an interpreter read the form to you, Part 5 is completed and signed by the interpreter. If someone other than you prepared the form, Part 6 is completed and signed by the preparer.
Use Part 7 for extra information
Enter your name and A-Number, then the page, part and item number for each answer. Sign and date any added sheet.
Review, sign and download the PDF
Check that every item is answered, that each "Yes" is explained and that the signature is handwritten. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and include it in the Form I-539 package.
How to submit I-539A
Form I-539A is filed together with Form I-539, either by mail or online, and not on its own.
- By mail: Send the signed Form I-539A for each co-applicant in the same package as Form I-539. USCIS lists the current addresses on its Form I-539 page at www.uscis.gov/i-539 and on its Form I-539 Direct Filing Addresses page. If you print the form, the edition date and page numbers must be visible at the bottom of every page, and all pages must come from the same edition; otherwise USCIS may reject it.
- Online: USCIS accepts Form I-539 online. The instructions tell online filers to follow the myUSCIS instructions at my.uscis.gov to create an account and complete the application.
Fees: the instructions refer you to USCIS Form G-1055, Fee Schedule, at www.uscis.gov/g-1055 for all filing fee information. If you request Premium Processing, file Form I-907 with its fee; check the USCIS website to see whether your category qualifies.
Signature: USCIS rejects an unsigned form and does not accept a stamped or typewritten name. A photocopy, fax or scan of the original handwritten signature is valid for filing.
After filing, USCIS may require biometrics or an interview, and it notifies you of its decision in writing. For questions, call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833). Do not send the application to the Paperwork Reduction Act address printed in the instructions. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the USCIS channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Submitting a Form I-539A for the person named in Form I-539; the form says not to.
- Listing several co-applicants on one Form I-539A; each co-applicant must complete a separate form.
- Leaving Part 1, Family Name blank; USCIS lists it as a field whose absence leads to rejection.
- Typing or stamping a name instead of signing in Part 4, or sending the form unsigned; USCIS rejects it.
- Having someone other than the co-applicant sign, unless it is a parent or guardian signing for a child under 14 or a legal guardian signing for a mentally incompetent person.
- Answering "Yes" to Part 3, Items 1 through 4 without an explanation in Part 7. Additional Information.
- Answering "No" to Item 17 without describing in Part 7 how you support yourself and attaching evidence of income, or "Yes" without describing every period of employment.
- Answering "Yes" to Item 18 (J-1 or J-2) without giving the dates you maintained that status in Part 7.
- Adding extra sheets without your name, A-Number, page, part and item number, signature and date on each sheet.
- Mailing a printed form with pages from different editions or without the edition date and page numbers visible.
Frequently asked questions
What is Form I-539A used for?
Form I-539A is the supplemental form each co-applicant completes when more than one person is included in a Form I-539 application to extend stay or change nonimmigrant status. It records that person's identity, entry, status, passport and background answers and is signed by that person.
Who has to file Form I-539A?
Each spouse or unmarried child under 21 included as a co-applicant on a Form I-539 completes their own Form I-539A. This applies only when everyone is in the same status or all are in derivative status. The person named on Form I-539 does not file one.
Can I fill out Form I-539A online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not file anything with USCIS: you submit the form with Form I-539 through the USCIS channels.
Who can sign Form I-539A for a child?
A parent or guardian may sign for a child under 14 years of age. A legal guardian may also sign for a mentally incompetent person. Otherwise, the co-applicant named on the form signs. USCIS does not accept a stamped or typewritten name.
What do I do if I answer Yes to Part 3 questions?
If you answer "Yes" to any of Items 1 through 4, explain it in Part 7. Additional Information. Item 17 also needs a description in Part 7 either way, and a "Yes" to Item 18 requires the dates you maintained J-1 or J-2 status.
Is there a fee for Form I-539A?
The Form I-539 instructions send you to USCIS Form G-1055, Fee Schedule, at www.uscis.gov/g-1055 for all filing fee information. Check that schedule for the amount that applies to your application.
When should I file Form I-539A?
File it with Form I-539. USCIS generally requires the application before the authorized stay expires and suggests filing at least 45 days, but generally not more than 6 months, before the stay ends. Late filing may be excused only in limited cases.
Where do I mail Form I-539A?
Mail it in the same package as Form I-539. The current addresses are on the USCIS Form I-539 page at www.uscis.gov/i-539 and its Direct Filing Addresses page. Do not send the package to the address printed for Paperwork Reduction Act comments.
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