On February 11, 2019, USCIS announced that it had revised the Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status as of February 4, 2019, and that it plans to publish the revised form on the USCIS website on March 11, 2019. Starting on March 11, 2019, USCIS will only accept the revised Form I-539 and will reject any prior edition dates. USCIS also announced that it will be publishing a new I-539A, Supplemental Information for Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status that will replace the prior Supplement A. It is important to note that the revised Form I-539 has significant changes, including the requirement that every co-applicant pay a biometrics fee and attend an ASC appointment, regardless of age.
There will be no grace period for the prior edition of Form I-539, the new edition of Form I-539 will be released on the same day that it is made mandatory, and the release of this new edition poses a timing challenge given the impending H-1B season.