Indian students, exchange visitors and other non-immigrants in the United States must use new editions of Form I-539 and Form I-765 from September 15, 2026. USCIS has confirmed that there will be no grace period, meaning applications filed with outdated forms may be rejected.
The upcoming USCIS form changes September 15, 2026 could affect thousands of international students, exchange visitors, employment authorization applicants and other nonimmigrants in the United States.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will introduce revised editions of two important immigration forms:
- Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
- Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization
Both revised forms will carry the edition date 09/15/26.
USCIS has stated that there will be no grace period for continuing to use the older editions after the change takes effect. Applicants must therefore check the edition date carefully before submitting an application.
What Are the USCIS Form Changes September 15, 2026?
The USCIS form changes September 15, 2026 involve replacing the currently accepted versions of Form I-539 and Form I-765 with new editions.
The updated forms are being introduced to align with a recently published federal rule establishing fixed periods of admission and extension-of-stay procedures for certain nonimmigrants.
The rule affects categories including:
- Academic students
- Exchange visitors
- Representatives of foreign information media
The new editions will replace the following versions:
| Form | Current Edition | New Edition | New Edition Effective |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form I-539 | 08/28/24 | 09/15/26 | September 15, 2026 |
| Form I-765 | 08/21/25 | 09/15/26 | September 15, 2026 |
USCIS has made preview versions of the revised forms and their instructions available so applicants can review the changes before the effective date. However, the new editions must not be filed before September 15, 2026.
No Grace Period for Older Form Editions
The most important part of the USCIS form changes September 15, 2026 is that the agency will not provide a transition period for older forms.
For Form I-539:
- The 08/28/24 edition will be accepted if it is postmarked or electronically submitted before September 15, 2026.
- The same edition will be rejected if it is postmarked or electronically submitted on or after September 15, 2026.
- From September 15 onward, applicants must use the 09/15/26 edition.
For Form I-765:
- The 08/21/25 edition will be accepted if it is postmarked or electronically submitted before September 15, 2026.
- The same edition will be rejected if it is postmarked or electronically submitted on or after September 15, 2026.
- From September 15 onward, applicants must use the 09/15/26 edition.
The filing date is therefore critical. Completing an older form before the deadline will not make it acceptable if the application is submitted after the new editions become mandatory.
What Is Form I-539 Used For?
Form I-539 is officially known as the Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status.
Eligible nonimmigrants in the United States may use this form to request an extension of their authorized stay or to change from one nonimmigrant status to another.
Depending on the applicant’s circumstances, Form I-539 may be relevant to certain:
- Students
- Dependants
- Visitors
- Exchange-related applicants
- Other eligible nonimmigrants
Applicants preparing to file Form I-539 around the deadline should verify the accepted edition directly on the official USCIS form page.
Official resource: USCIS Form I-539
What Is Form I-765 Used For?
Form I-765 is the Application for Employment Authorization.
Eligible applicants use it to request an Employment Authorization Document, commonly known as an EAD.
The form may be relevant to applicants seeking employment authorization through qualifying immigration categories, including certain:
- F-1 students applying for Optional Practical Training
- F-1 students applying for STEM OPT extensions
- J-2 dependants seeking employment authorization
- Other applicants eligible for an EAD under U.S. immigration rules
The USCIS form changes September 15, 2026 mean that applicants filing Form I-765 on or after the effective date must use the new edition dated 09/15/26.
Official resource: USCIS Form I-765
What Indian Students and Visitors Should Know
The USCIS form changes September 15, 2026 may be especially important for Indian nationals currently in the United States on student, exchange visitor or other nonimmigrant status.
Indian students and visitors who are preparing an application should not assume that a form downloaded earlier will remain valid after the deadline.
For example, an applicant who downloads the older Form I-539 before September 15 but submits it after that date could face rejection if the form carries the 08/28/24 edition date.
The same risk applies to someone submitting Form I-765 using the older 08/21/25 edition after the new rules take effect.
Applicants should:
- Confirm which form they need.
- Check the edition date printed at the bottom of the form.
- Confirm whether the application will be mailed or submitted online.
- Use the edition accepted on the actual submission date.
- Review the latest USCIS instructions before filing.
- Ensure all required signatures and supporting documents are included.
An outdated form can create delays, additional costs and potentially affect time-sensitive immigration plans.
Filing Before or After September 15
The following table summarizes how the USCIS form changes September 15, 2026 will affect applicants:
| Filing Timing | Form I-539 | Form I-765 |
|---|---|---|
| Before September 15, 2026 | 08/28/24 edition accepted | 08/21/25 edition accepted |
| On or after September 15, 2026 | 09/15/26 edition required | 09/15/26 edition required |
| Old edition filed on or after September 15 | Rejected | Rejected |
| New edition filed before September 15 | Do not file early | Do not file early |
For mailed applications, USCIS uses the postmark date to determine whether the appropriate edition was used. For online filings, the electronic submission date is relevant.
Applicants should not rely only on when the form was downloaded or completed.
Why USCIS Is Making the Change
The USCIS form changes September 15, 2026 are connected to the implementation of a federal final rule concerning fixed periods of admission and extension-of-stay procedures.
The revised forms are intended to provide USCIS with the information needed to apply the new procedures to certain academic students, exchange visitors and foreign information media representatives.
USCIS has explained that the revised editions are necessary for implementing the final rule. This is the reason the agency has stated that it will not offer a grace period for the older forms.
New Forms Must Not Be Filed Early
USCIS has published preview versions of the 09/15/26 editions so applicants and immigration professionals can review them in advance.
However, the preview versions are not intended for early submission.
Applicants filing before September 15 should continue using the form editions accepted for that filing date. Applicants filing on or after September 15 must use the new 09/15/26 editions.
Using the new edition too early could also create problems because USCIS will only accept it from the effective date.
What Applicants Should Do Now
With the USCIS form changes September 15, 2026 approaching, applicants with pending immigration plans should prepare carefully.
If You Plan to File Before September 15
Use the currently accepted form edition and ensure that the application is properly postmarked or electronically submitted before the deadline.
If You Plan to File On or After September 15
Use the new 09/15/26 edition of the applicable form. Do not submit the older edition simply because it was completed earlier.
Always Check the USCIS Website
Form editions can change, and USCIS may publish additional instructions or filing updates. Applicants should check the official Form I-539 and Form I-765 pages immediately before filing.
Those working with an immigration attorney, accredited representative or university international student office should also confirm which edition is required.
Key Takeaway Of USCIS Form Changes September 15
The USCIS form changes September 15, 2026 create a strict deadline for applicants using Form I-539 and Form I-765.
From that date:
- Form I-539 must carry the 09/15/26 edition date.
- Form I-765 must carry the 09/15/26 edition date.
- Older editions will not receive a grace period.
- Applications submitted with outdated editions may be rejected.
- The new editions must not be filed before September 15.
For Indian students, exchange visitors and other nonimmigrants in the United States, checking the correct form edition should be treated as an essential step before submitting any application.
FAQs : USCIS Form Changes September 15
What are the USCIS form changes September 15, 2026?
USCIS will introduce new editions of Form I-539 and Form I-765, both dated 09/15/26. Older editions will be rejected if submitted on or after September 15.
Which Form I-539 edition is required after September 15, 2026?
The 09/15/26 edition will be required for applications postmarked or electronically submitted on or after September 15, 2026.
Which Form I-765 edition is required after September 15, 2026?
Applicants must use the 09/15/26 edition of Form I-765 from September 15 onward.
Will USCIS provide a grace period for the old forms?
No. USCIS has confirmed that there will be no grace period for the previous editions.
Can I file the new forms before September 15?
No. USCIS has stated that the new 09/15/26 editions should not be filed before September 15, 2026.
Who may be affected by these form updates?
The changes may affect eligible nonimmigrants, including academic students, exchange visitors, employment authorization applicants and other individuals who need to file Form I-539 or Form I-765.
Source : NDTV
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