Form I-539, Application for Change of Status or Extension of Stay

Effective April 2, 2007

This chart provides the direct filing addresses for Form I-539, which become effective April 2, 2007.  Please note the filing addresses below and the filing exceptions for certain classifications.

If

And

Mail Form I-539 to

You are a dependent spouse or child applying for change of status as a dependent to E-1, E-2,  H-4, L-2, O-3, P-4, or for an extension of your dependent E-1, E-2,H-4, L-2, O-3, P-4, or TD status

you are filing Form I-539 at the same time as the principal,

together with the principal’s Form I-129 as part of the same package, send the entire I-129/I-539 package to the I-129 filing location, according to the instructions on the I-129 filing chart. 

the principal’s petition and change of status request are pending

to the same Service Center where Form I-129 filed for the principal is pending.  Include a copy of the filing receipt (or transfer notice) for the principal’s Form I-129 showing the current pending location.

the principal’s petition and change of status request are approved

to the same Service Center that approved the principal’s     I-129 and change of status or extension application. Include a copy of the principal’s approval notice.

you are in any other nonimmigrant status (and not listed in the exceptions) applying for change of status or extension of stay

you live in:

Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin or Wyoming,

USCIS California Service Center

P.O. Box 10539

Laguna Niguel, CA  92607-1053 

you live in: 

Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands, West Virginia, or the District of Columbia

USCIS Vermont Service Center

75 Lower Welden Street

St. Albans, VT  05479-0001

you are an F-1 or M-1 student applying for re-instatement

Your educational institution is located in:

Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin or Wyoming,

USCIS California Service Center

P.O. Box 10539

Laguna Niguel, CA  92607-1053 

Your educational institution is located in:

Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands, West Virginia, or the District of Columbia

USCIS Vermont Service Center

75 Lower Welden Street

St. Albans, VT  05479-0001

Exceptions

·         R-2 Religious Worker Dependents:

File Form I-539 with the California Service Center, regardless of where the principal is/will be employed.

·         H-1 C Nurses dependents:

File Form I-539 with the Vermont Service Center, regardless of where the principal is/will be employed.

·         TD dependents of TN principals (Free Trade – Canada and Mexico), H-4 dependents of H-1B1 principals (Free Trade – Singapore and Chile), and E-3 dependents of E-3 principals (Free Trade – Australia) applying for a change of status or extension of stay:

File Form I-539 with the Vermont Service Center, regardless of where the principal is/will be employed.

·         Dependents of Major League Sports Athletes or Support Personnel:  

File with the Vermont Service Center.  This covers major league athletes, minor league sports and any affiliates associated with the major leagues in baseball, hockey, soccer, basketball, and football.  Support personnel includes:  coaches, trainers, broadcasters, referees, linesmen, umpires, and interpreters.

·         A, G, and NATO:

For change of status requests to A,G, or NATO classification for employment with an embassy, international organization, or NATO, mail Form I-539 through your embassy, international organization, or NATO to:  Department of State, Office of Protocol, 3507 International Place, N. W., Suite 242, Washington, D.C. 20008.  

For change of status requests to G classification for employment with a foreign government’s mission to the United Nations or with the United Nations Secretariat, mail Form I-539 through the foreign government’s mission or the UN Secretariat to:  U.S. Mission to the United Nations, 799 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017.

For a dependent spouse or child requesting a change of status to a NATO classification based on the principal’s classification as a NATO nonimmigrant, mail Form I-539 to:  NATO/HQ SACT Legal Affairs, 7857 Blandy Road, Suite 100, Norfolk, VA 23551.  If you or the principal NATO nonimmigrant through whom you derive your status are posted at a national component or as an exchange officer, please submit form I-539 to your embassy for proper filing through official diplomatic channels.

For a change of status from A, G, or NATO classifications to another nonimmigrant classification, file Form I-539 with the USCIS Service Center designated to handle the new nonimmigrant classification sought.    You must submit with Form I-539 an endorsement by the Department of State Visa office, or a USUN official at Part 7 on the Form I-566 (interagency Record of Request-A, G, or NATO Dependent Employment Authorization or Change/Adjustment to Extend/Change nonimmigrant Status).

For extensions of stay for A-3, G-5, or NATO-7 nonimmigrants, submit your application through your embassy or international organization, or NATO command for proper filing through official diplomatic channels.

·         V Nonimmigrants:

Follow the filing instructions on Form I-539 supplement A, Filing Instructions for V Nonimmigrants