Starting on September 15, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will release updated versions of Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status and Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.
Both forms will have the edition date of 09/15/26. These forms have been changed to match the new rules from the recently published final rule titled Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media.
The new 09/15/26 editions will replace the old forms: the 08/28/24 edition of Form I-539 and the 08/21/25 edition of Form I-765. There will not be a grace period to use the old editions because USCIS must use the new editions to follow the final rule.
Because there is no grace period, USCIS is sharing preview versions of the 09/15/26 forms and their instructions before they can officially be used. Do not file the 09/15/26 editions before September 15, 2026. USCIS will only accept these new editions if mailed or submitted online on or after September 15, 2026.
If you are filing Form I-539, please note:
- USCIS will accept the 08/28/24 edition if it is mailed or submitted online before September 15, 2026;
- USCIS will reject the 08/28/24 edition if mailed or submitted on or after September 15, 2026;
- USCIS will only accept the 09/15/26 edition if mailed or submitted on or after September 15, 2026.
If you are filing Form I-765, please note:
- USCIS will accept the 08/21/25 edition if it is mailed or submitted online before September 15, 2026;
- USCIS will reject the 08/21/25 edition if mailed or submitted on or after September 15, 2026;
- USCIS will only accept the 09/15/26 edition if mailed or submitted on or after September 15, 2026.
Visit the Form I-539 and Form I-765 pages to see the preview versions of the 09/15/26 forms and their instructions.