USCIS Sets Sept. 15 Deadline for New I-539 and I-765 Forms

USCIS will require new editions of Forms I-539 and I-765 beginning September 15, 2026, with no transition period allowing applicants to use older versions. The firm cutoff makes the filing date especially important for international students and other nonimmigrants preparing status or employment authorization applications.

A Firm September Cutoff

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said it will publish editions of both forms dated September 15, 2026. Applicants filing before that date must continue using the editions currently accepted by the agency. USCIS will reject the new editions if they are submitted too early.

For filings made on or after September 15, the rule reverses: USCIS will accept only the new editions and reject earlier versions. For paper applications, the postmark determines which edition is appropriate. For applications filed electronically, USCIS will use the online submission date.

Applicants can find an edition date at the bottom of each form page. Every page in a paper application should come from the same edition, rather than combining pages saved or printed at different times.

Why These Forms Matter

Form I-539 is used for many requests to extend or change nonimmigrant status. It may also be used by F-1 or M-1 students seeking reinstatement. Form I-765 is the application for employment authorization and is familiar to international students applying for Optional Practical Training or a STEM OPT extension.

The revisions coincide with a broader Department of Homeland Security rule affecting F, J and I nonimmigrants. Published on July 17, 2026, the final rule replaces duration-of-status admission with fixed admission periods and establishes new extension-of-stay procedures. Its stated effective date is September 15, 2026, although the Federal Register notice says that date remains subject to the congressional review process.

The form update itself does not establish eligibility, extend a filing deadline or guarantee approval. Applicants must still follow the instructions, eligibility requirements and filing procedures that apply to their individual category.

Preparing to File

People planning to submit either form near the transition should download a fresh copy from the USCIS website shortly before filing. Previously saved forms may become unusable overnight when the new editions take effect.

Applicants should also confirm the correct fee, filing address, signatures and supporting documents. A rejection can require the entire package to be filed again, creating additional timing risk when a status expiration date or employment authorization window is approaching.

This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Applicants with questions about status or employment eligibility should consult a qualified immigration attorney or accredited representative.

Sources

• USCIS to Publish New Editions of Form I-539 and Form I-765; Older Editions Will Be Rejected Starting Sept. 15 — USCIS (August 14, 2026)
• 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 — Federal Register (July 17, 2026)