The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will introduce new editions of two widely used immigration forms on September 15, 2026, and applications filed using older versions from that date will be rejected.
The change covers Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, and Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. Both revised forms will carry the edition date 09/15/26.
Form I-539 is used by certain nonimmigrants seeking to extend or change their status in the United States. It is also relevant to H-4 spouses and children of H-1B workers. H-1B employees themselves generally do not use I-539 to extend their H-1B status, as employers normally file Form I-129 on their behalf.
Form I-765 is used by eligible applicants seeking an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). It is particularly important for F-1 international students applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM OPT, as well as certain H-4 spouses and other categories eligible for employment authorization.
Under the change, the new I-539 will replace the 08/28/24 edition, while the revised I-765 will replace the 08/21/25 edition.
Applicants can continue using these existing editions as long as their forms are postmarked or electronically submitted before September 15. From September 15 onward, USCIS will accept only the new 09/15/26 editions, with no grace period for older forms.
USCIS has already released preview copies of the revised forms and their instructions to help applicants prepare. However, the agency has warned applicants not to submit the new editions before September 15, as they will not be accepted before their effective date.
The revisions are linked to new US immigration rules establishing fixed periods of admission and extension-of-stay procedures for F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and I-category foreign media representatives.
Under the new framework, F, J, and I nonimmigrants will generally move from the longstanding duration-of-status system to fixed periods of admission and may need to apply for an extension if they want to remain in the United States beyond their authorized stay.
Applicants planning to submit either I-539 or I-765 around the September 15 cutoff should therefore check the edition date carefully before filing, as USCIS will reject applications submitted on an outdated version.
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