Over the past few weeks, both U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) made significant announcements regarding biometrics for certain visa applications as a way of addressing the extensive backlogs for these cases.

Suspending Biometrics for Certain I-539 Applicants

First, effective May 17, USCIS announced that they “will temporarily suspend the biometrics submission requirement for certain applicants filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, requesting an extension of stay in or change of status to H-4, L-2, and E nonimmigrant status.” USCIS noted that the agency will permit adjudications for those specific categories to proceed based on biographic information and related background checks, without needing fingerprints and a photograph. The temporary suspension will apply through May 17, 2023, and may be extended or revoked by the USCIS director.

This temporary change in policy will impact applicants seeking an extension of stay or change of status to H-4 (spouses and children of H-1B’s), L-2 (spouses and children of L-1’s), and E (dependents of E-1, E-2 and E-3 principal nonimmigrants) status, whose applications were pending on May 17, 2021 and who have not yet received a biometric services appointment notice, as well as those filing their application after May 17, 2021. Unfortunately, O-3 (spouses and children of O-1s) are not included in the temporary biometrics submission suspension.