Indian H-1B, F-1 visa applicants alert! US immigration authority to reject these forms from September 15
The changes have been made to align with a recently finalised USCIS rule that establishes fixed periods of admission and a new extension-of-stay procedure specifically for nonimmigrant academic students, exchange visitors and foreign media representatives
- Aug 17, 2026,
- Updated Aug 17, 2026 9:28 AM IST
Starting September 15, 2026, two widely used US immigration forms will change, and USCIS has made one thing clear: there is no grace period. Submit the old version on or after that date and your application will be rejected outright.
The forms in question are Form I-539, used to extend or change nonimmigrant status, and Form I-765, the employment authorisation application. New editions of both, dated 09/15/26, will go into effect on that date, replacing the current 08/28/24 edition of I-539 and the 08/21/25 edition of I-765.
The changes have been made to align with a recently finalised USCIS rule that establishes fixed periods of admission and a new extension-of-stay procedure specifically for nonimmigrant academic students, exchange visitors and foreign media representatives.
Why this matters for Indian applicants
India is the largest source of international students in the United States, with hundreds of thousands enrolled at any given time. A significant number are on F-1 visas working through Optional Practical Training or navigating status changes, situations that require filing I-539 or I-765. Indian H-1B holders who need to change or extend their nonimmigrant status are also directly affected.
With no transition window built in, an applicant who files the old form a day late faces automatic rejection, with no recourse until the correct form is resubmitted.
The exact cutoff rules
Form I-539 — Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
- Current edition in use: 08/28/24
- New edition effective from: September 15, 2026 (dated 09/15/26)
- Submit the 08/28/24 edition before September 15 — it will be accepted
- Submit the 08/28/24 edition on or after September 15 — it will be rejected
- From September 15 onward, only the 09/15/26 edition will be accepted
- Do not file the new 09/15/26 edition before September 15 — it will not be processed
Form I-765 — Application for Employment Authorization
- Current edition in use: 08/21/25
- New edition effective from: September 15, 2026 (dated 09/15/26)
- Submit the 08/21/25 edition before September 15 — it will be accepted
- Submit the 08/21/25 edition on or after September 15 — it will be rejected
- From September 15 onward, only the 09/15/26 edition will be accepted
- Do not file the new 09/15/26 edition before September 15 — it will not be processed
Key rule that applies to both forms
- There is no grace period — the switch is immediate and absolute
- Preview versions of both new forms are available now on the USCIS website
- The new forms can be reviewed in advance but must not be filed before September 15
MUST READ: US may scrap 60-day job search window: What it means for Indians facing job loss on H-1B visas
What applicants should do now
USCIS has released preview versions of both new forms and their instructions ahead of the September 15 date, but they cannot be filed yet. Applicants should use this window to review the new forms and understand what has changed. Those with pending applications that need to be filed before the deadline should use the current editions and ensure they are submitted before September 15. Anyone filing on or after that date must use only the new editions.
Preview versions of both updated forms are available on the USCIS website on the Form I-539 and Form I-765 pages.
Starting September 15, 2026, two widely used US immigration forms will change, and USCIS has made one thing clear: there is no grace period. Submit the old version on or after that date and your application will be rejected outright.
The forms in question are Form I-539, used to extend or change nonimmigrant status, and Form I-765, the employment authorisation application. New editions of both, dated 09/15/26, will go into effect on that date, replacing the current 08/28/24 edition of I-539 and the 08/21/25 edition of I-765.
The changes have been made to align with a recently finalised USCIS rule that establishes fixed periods of admission and a new extension-of-stay procedure specifically for nonimmigrant academic students, exchange visitors and foreign media representatives.
Why this matters for Indian applicants
India is the largest source of international students in the United States, with hundreds of thousands enrolled at any given time. A significant number are on F-1 visas working through Optional Practical Training or navigating status changes, situations that require filing I-539 or I-765. Indian H-1B holders who need to change or extend their nonimmigrant status are also directly affected.
With no transition window built in, an applicant who files the old form a day late faces automatic rejection, with no recourse until the correct form is resubmitted.
The exact cutoff rules
Form I-539 — Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
- Current edition in use: 08/28/24
- New edition effective from: September 15, 2026 (dated 09/15/26)
- Submit the 08/28/24 edition before September 15 — it will be accepted
- Submit the 08/28/24 edition on or after September 15 — it will be rejected
- From September 15 onward, only the 09/15/26 edition will be accepted
- Do not file the new 09/15/26 edition before September 15 — it will not be processed
Form I-765 — Application for Employment Authorization
- Current edition in use: 08/21/25
- New edition effective from: September 15, 2026 (dated 09/15/26)
- Submit the 08/21/25 edition before September 15 — it will be accepted
- Submit the 08/21/25 edition on or after September 15 — it will be rejected
- From September 15 onward, only the 09/15/26 edition will be accepted
- Do not file the new 09/15/26 edition before September 15 — it will not be processed
Key rule that applies to both forms
- There is no grace period — the switch is immediate and absolute
- Preview versions of both new forms are available now on the USCIS website
- The new forms can be reviewed in advance but must not be filed before September 15
MUST READ: US may scrap 60-day job search window: What it means for Indians facing job loss on H-1B visas
What applicants should do now
USCIS has released preview versions of both new forms and their instructions ahead of the September 15 date, but they cannot be filed yet. Applicants should use this window to review the new forms and understand what has changed. Those with pending applications that need to be filed before the deadline should use the current editions and ensure they are submitted before September 15. Anyone filing on or after that date must use only the new editions.
Preview versions of both updated forms are available on the USCIS website on the Form I-539 and Form I-765 pages.