USCIS Alert: New Editions of Form I-539 and Form I-765 Take Effect September 15, 2026 (No Grace Period) 🇺🇸⚠️
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced major updates to two of its most widely utilized immigration benefit applications: Form I-539 (Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status) and Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization). Both revised forms will carry the official edition date of 09/15/26.
Unlike standard form updates where a transitional overlap is permitted, USCIS has confirmed there will be zero grace period. Any application submitted or postmarked on or after September 15, 2026 using older form versions will face immediate rejection.
Summary of Form Edition Changes
| Form Name | Current Edition (Accepted till Sept 14, 2026) | New Mandatory Edition (Effective Sept 15, 2026) | Grace Period Policy |
| Form I-539 (Extend / Change Status) | 08/28/24 Edition | 09/15/26 Edition | No Grace Period (Old versions rejected from Sept 15) |
| Form I-765 (Employment Authorization / EAD) | 08/21/25 Edition | 09/15/26 Edition | No Grace Period (Old versions rejected from Sept 15) |
Who Is Impacted by These Form Updates?
1. Form I-539 (Extension / Change of Status)
- Eligible Nonimmigrants: Individuals in the U.S. under visitor (B-1/B-2), student (F-1/M-1), exchange visitor (J-1), or media (I-category) statuses seeking extensions or transitions between categories.
- H-4 & Dependent Visa Holders: Spouses and unmarried children of H-1B, L-1, and other principal work-visa holders filing extensions or changes of status.
- Note: Principal H-1B, L-1, O-1, and TN workers do not use Form I-539; their petitions continue through employer-sponsored Form I-129.
2. Form I-765 (Employment Authorization Document – EAD)
- F-1 International Students: Applicants applying for post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) and 24-month STEM OPT Extensions.
- H-4 EAD Applicants: Eligible spouses of H-1B holders with approved I-140 immigrant petitions.
- Adjustment of Status (AOS) & Other Categories: Pending green card applicants, TPS recipients, and humanitarian parolees seeking work permits.
Why Are the Forms Being Revised?
The revisions align USCIS documentation with a federal final rule establishing fixed periods of admission and formal extension-of-stay procedures for F academic students, J exchange visitors, and I foreign media representatives.
Under this framework, these visa categories transition away from the historic open-ended “Duration of Status” (D/S) system into fixed admission dates, requiring formal extension applications to maintain authorized stay in the United States.
Crucial Rules for Applicants Filing Around September 15
- Do Not Submit New Forms Early: USCIS has provided preview drafts of the 09/15/26 editions and instructions online for review. However, do not file the new edition before September 15, 2026, as premature filings will not be accepted.
- Strict Postmark / Electronic Timestamp Rules:
- Filed before Sept 15, 2026: Use the older editions (08/28/24 for I-539; 08/21/25 for I-765).
- Filed on or after Sept 15, 2026: You must exclusively use the 09/15/26 edition.
- Check the Footer Edition Date: Always inspect the lower-left or lower-right corner of each printed page to verify the exact edition date before dispatching physical lockbox packages or submitting via your myUSCIS online account.
📌 Important Disclaimer: Always download the latest official forms and instructions directly from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services portal (uscis.gov/i-539 and uscis.gov/i-765). USCIS never charges fees to download forms.
