Washington, DC- On Sept. 15, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will publish revised editions of Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, and Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorisation (edition date for both: 09/15/26). The forms have been revised to align with the recently published 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 final rule.
The 09/15/26 editions of Form I-539 and Form I-765 replace the 08/28/24 edition of Form I-539 and the 08/21/25 edition of Form I-765. There is no grace period for the revised editions of Form I-539 and Form I-765 because the revised editions are necessary for USCIS to apply the final rule.
Because there will be no grace period, USCIS is providing preview versions of the 09/15/26 editions of Form I-539 and Form I-765 with their instructions. Do not file the 09/15/26 editions of these forms before Sept. 15, 2026. USCIS will only accept the 09/15/26 editions of these forms if they are postmarked or electronically submitted on or after Sept. 15, 2026.
If filing Form I-539, please note that USCIS will:
Accept the 08/28/24 edition of Form I-539 if it is postmarked or electronically submitted before Sept. 15, 2026;
Reject the 08/28/24 edition of Form I-539 if it is postmarked or electronically submitted on or after Sept. 15, 2026; and
Only accept the 09/15/26 edition of Form I-539 if it is postmarked or electronically submitted on or after Sept. 15, 2026.
If filing Form I-765, please note that USCIS will:
Accept the 08/21/25 edition of Form I-765 if it is postmarked or electronically submitted before Sept. 15, 2026;
Reject the 08/21/25 edition of Form I-765 if it is postmarked or electronically submitted on or after Sept. 15, 2026; and
Only accept the 09/15/26 edition of Form I-765 if it is postmarked or electronically submitted on or after Sept. 15, 2026.