US Citizenship and Immigration Services will introduce revised editions of Form I-539 and Form I-765 on September 15, 2026. The change may affect international students, dependants and other nonimmigrants, including Indian nationals applying to extend their stay, change immigration status or obtain employment authorization.
Form I-539 is generally used to request an extension or change of nonimmigrant status. Form I-765 is used by eligible foreign nationals to apply for an Employment Authorization Document.
USCIS has announced that there will be no grace period during which both old and new editions will be accepted. Applications postmarked or submitted electronically before September 15 must use the currently valid editions. Applications filed on or after that date must use the new forms bearing the edition date 09/15/26.
The agency will reject an old edition submitted on or after the effective date. It will also reject the new edition if an applicant attempts to use it before September 15.
Applicants preparing submissions close to the transition date should verify the form edition and filing instructions immediately before sending their documents. The change is connected with the new fixed-period admission framework for F, J and I nonimmigrants, which also takes effect on September 15.
