I-539 at Service Center Operations (SCOPS)

Name: I-539 processing time at Service Center Operations (SCOPS)
Creator: Arrive Legal
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status

From USCIS data captured October 19, 2026

H-4 Change of Status

7.5 – 14 months

With and without an I-765 filed at the same time.

Change of status to H4 dependent with I-765

7.5 – 9.5 months

Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before January 11, 2026.

Change of status to H4 dependents

10.5 – 14 months

Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before August 31, 2025.

Change of status to B nonimmigrant

8 – 9 months

Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before January 19, 2026.

Change of status to F or M student or J exchange visitor category

8.5 – 10 months

Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before December 20, 2025.

Change of status to L dependent

14.5 – 16 months

Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before June 29, 2025.

All other change of status applications

14 – 16 months

Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before July 01, 2025.

Extension of stay for B nonimmigrant

8.5 – 10 months

Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before January 03, 2026.

Extension of stay for H4 dependents with I-765

5 – 9 months

Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before January 27, 2026.

Extension of stay for F or M students and J exchange visitor category

6.5 – 8 months

Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before February 25, 2026.

Extension of stay for H4 dependents

10.5 – 13.5 months

Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before September 13, 2025.

Extension of stay for L dependents

8.5 – 12 months

Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before October 24, 2025.

All other extension of stay applications

11 – 15.5 months

Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before July 15, 2025.

Extension of stay for T nonimmigrant

22 – 25.5 months

Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before September 16, 2024.

Extension of stay for U nonimmigrant

20.5 – 23 months

Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before December 01, 2024.

Reinstatement to student status

15 – 17.5 months

Case inquiry possible for receipt dates on or before May 15, 2025.

In plain English

The months range means: USCIS finished 80% of its recent I-539 cases at this office within that time. It's a reference point — some cases finish sooner, some later.
"Case inquiry possible…" means: if USCIS received your case on or before that date, your wait is already longer than normal and you can officially ask USCIS about it (it's called an e-Request, and it's free).
The chart below shows how the posted wait has moved over time — orange = our weekly captures; gray = archival history.

Track this I-539 wait at Service Center Operations (SCOPS)

Get the old value, new value, and trend when USCIS changes this time.

Or build your personal timeline with your receipt date →

Trend

Latest published wait

9.5 months

As of Oct 12, 2026 · Arrive Legal capture

Stable

No change since Oct 5, 2026

Processing time (months)

Gray: archival history · orange: Arrive Legal captures · horizontal dashed line: the latest value. Dashed segments cross intervals with no published reading — no value is estimated. Hover to see each reading.Historical data compilation: ImmigrationTimes.org (CC BY 4.0)

View 22 exact readings

Oct 12, 2026 · Arrive Legal capture9.5 months
Oct 5, 2026 · Arrive Legal capture9.5 months
Sep 28, 2026 · Arrive Legal capture9.5 months
Sep 21, 2026 · Arrive Legal capture9.5 months
Sep 8, 2026 · Arrive Legal capture9 months
Aug 31, 2026 · Arrive Legal capture9 months
Aug 24, 2026 · Arrive Legal capture9 months
Aug 18, 2026 · Arrive Legal capture9 months
Aug 13, 2026 · Arrive Legal capture8 months
Jul 22, 2026 · Arrive Legal capture8 months
Jun 24, 2026 · archival history8 months
May 23, 2026 · archival history8 months
Apr 22, 2026 · archival history8 months
Mar 17, 2026 · archival history7.5 months
Feb 19, 2026 · archival history7.5 months
Jan 15, 2026 · archival history7 months
Dec 19, 2025 · archival history7 months
Dec 9, 2025 · archival history7.5 months
Oct 22, 2025 · archival history7 months
Sep 30, 2025 · archival history6.5 months
Sep 19, 2025 · archival history6.5 months
Sep 6, 2025 · archival history6.5 months

The national I-539 line

Cases waiting

109,156

nationwide (FY2026 Q2)

The line is

growing

+25.2% since FY2025 Q4

What that usually means

More applications than decisions — pressure toward longer waits.

From USCIS's official quarterly report. See the full outlook and methodology →

Is your case delayed?

Enter your receipt date — the comparison happens in your browser.

Category (from your receipt notice)Receipt date (from your I-797C receipt notice)

The calculation runs in your browser — we don't store your date or any case details.

Related forms

Other USCIS forms commonly tracked in the same process — listed for reference, not as guidance on what to file.

I-7655 – 28 months

Application for Employment Authorization

I-1294 – 22.5 months

Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker

Frequently asked questions

How long does I-539 H-4 change of status take at SCOPS?

Per USCIS data captured October 19, 2026, I-539 H-4 change of status takes 7.5 – 14 months at SCOPS, depending on the exact category.

When can I ask USCIS about my case?

USCIS posts different dates for H-4 with I-765 and H-4 without I-765. Choose your exact category below for the correct date.

Is this time a guarantee?

No. It is the time within which USCIS completed 80% of similar cases over the past six months. Every case is different; some take longer.

Check your case status at USCIS Case Status Online · Official source: USCIS Case Processing Times