I-539 Biometrics and Approval waiting times

[Gina1808]

Hi - looks like most of us in the US on L2 visa are now filing extensions via Form I-539, which requires biometrics and takes (what feels like) forever. My current L2 and EAD is expiring early March. My husband's L1 extension was approved within about 2 weeks (with premium processing). From what I read, biometrics is what is dragging out the I-539 processing times because of the ASC covid-related shutdowns March-June.
To get an idea of what the current processing times actually are, it would be nice if those waiting (or who received approvals!) could share their experience. Thank you in advance!

Please include the following details:
Case receipt date:
Service Center:
ASC: -- can look up here: https://egov.uscis.gov/office-locator/#/asc
Biometrics appointment received:
Biometrics appointment date:
I-539 approved:
EAD approved:

Here's mine:
Case receipt date: 10/18/20
Service Center: Texas
ASC: Baltimore, MD
No news on Biometrics/EAD yet

[Libra_14]

Its been a wait for ~6 months for biometrics for I539 right now ...

[amarquie]

Here's mine:
Case receipt date: 10/18/20
Service Center: Texas
ASC: Baltimore, MD
No news on Biometrics/EAD yet[/QUOTE]

Hi Gina,
Did you receive any update on your case ?
Mine was received by USCIC on Oct 1, 2020 and my appointment for biometrics was on April 7, 2021. I am now looking for an estimated time for i-539 approval..

[Gina1808]

amarquie - I did receive a bio notice for May 6, so next week.

Unfortunately, based on my research, there is no direct link between getting bios done and approval.

Because I have way too much time on my hands, I've been monitoring ~1,045 cases around my own reference range received mid-October in Texas. Here is an overview:

226 of them are I-539 (~22%)
-- 3 approved: for 2, expedite request was approved on 3/5/21 and cases approved 3/25/21; for the third, expedite request was approved on 4/5/21 and case approved 4/22/21. I could not match a related I-765 so might have been change of status or something
-- 62 (28% of I-539s) show "fingerprints taken": 23 in November, 7 in Dec, 18 in Feb, 5 in March and 9 in April -- conclusion: there is no direct link between doing biometrics and getting approval
-- 9 expedite requests denied

55 I-765s (~5%)
-- 1 denied
-- 10 approved, most in January (status card mailed/delivered, it doesn't say I-765 so I went by the wording on my previous approved case)
-- 8 expedite requests denied
-- 7 show "fingerprints taken", so they are most likely linked to green card applications and not L2/H

I am checking similar samples for cases received May though October. USCIS in Texas seem to be actively approving the June 2020 cases just now.
Sample month received - % or all I-539 cases approved - % of cases with fingerprints applied approved
May - 53% - 84%
June - 34% - 62%
July - 9% - 19%
August - 6% - 15%
September - 6% - 13%
October - 1% - 5%

Also, I found the recent Twitter feed of law firm @wasdenbanias bafflingly informative. Texas SC only has 18 officers adjuncating non-B2 I-539s. So the picture is looking very very grim for us October filers.

[What]

Hi OP - just wanted to know if your spouses L1 got approved, why are you filing for i-539 ? what change of status are you seeking ?

[Gina1808]

Hi OP - just wanted to know if your spouses L1 got approved, why are you filing for i-539 ? what change of status are you seeking ?

I-539 is the "Application To Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status" - I am extending my L2 status.
We filed all of these together: I-129 to extend husband's L1, I-539 to extend my L2 and I-765 to extend my EAD.

[amarquie]

Hi, does anyone has any update on their case ?

[uks19]

Hi, does anyone has any update on their case ?

My Timeline!

L1/L2/EAD renewal filed on July 30th, 2020 (Texas Service Center)
L1 approval received on 15 Aug 2020 ( Premium Processing )
L2 biometric appointment completed in Dec 2020 1st week.
EAD extension expedite denied in Dec 2020
L2 extension expedite denied in Jan 2021 & L2 expedite denied again today 06/30

What a crazy legal immigration system and USCIS has no workaround for cases like mine and thousands out thr!

[Libra_14]

What a crazy legal immigration system and USCIS has no workaround for cases like mine and thousands out thr!

L2 EAD is a privilege & not your right. They'll approve it once the high priority applications are processed. USCIS has huge backlog right now.

[KSC90]

L2 EAD is a privilege & not your right. They'll approve it once the high priority applications are processed. USCIS has huge backlog right now.

Thanks for the condescension but that's categorically false. Public Law 107-124, passed in 2002 by Congress, expressly directs that

In the case of an alien spouse admitted under section 101(a)(15)(E), who is accompanying or following to join a principal alien admitted under such section, the Attorney General shall authorize the alien spouse to engage in employment in the United States and provide the spouse with an ‘employment authorized’ endorsement or other appropriate work permit.

[Libra_14]

Thanks for the condescension but that's categorically false. Public Law 107-124, passed in 2002 by Congress, expressly directs that

I didn't said L2 are NOT authorized to work. I said EAD for L2 is a privilege & will be approved on appropriate time.

[DaniDL]

Hi all,

I wanted to share the timeline for my spouse's L2 extension and EAD renewal

Case receipt date: August 31st 2021
Service Center: Texas
ASC: Elizabeth, NJ
Biometrics appointment received: Yes
Biometrics appointment date: April 12th 2021
I-539 approved: Not yet
EAD approved: Not yet

Like so many on here, my spouse and I submitted our L1/L2/EAD extensions/renewals at the same time. My (L1B) extension was approved after 2 weeks using premium processing, but my spouse has been unable to work since her L2/EAD expired back in January 2021.

Through my company, I have been in contact with an immigration law firm but they have been unable to give any more insight than what can be found online.

We have also tried on several occasions to expedite the requests, but all have been rejected. My gut feeling is that it is difficult to justify 'loss of income' to expedite an L2 extension case when they are considered to be dependents of the L1....

Would be happy to hear from anyone with recent approvals for the L2 extension/EAD category.