US Changes Key Immigration Forms for Students and Other Visa Holders

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will introduce new editions of two widely used immigration forms on September 15,… Read More The post US Changes Key Immigration Forms for Students and Other Visa Holders appeared first on ProPakistani.

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US Changes Key Immigration Forms for Students and Other Visa Holders

Key points

  • While the revised I-765 will replace the 08/21/25 edition, under the change, the new I-539 will replace the 08/28/24 edition.
  • The change covers Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, and Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.
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  • Form I-765 is used by eligible applicants seeking an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

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The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will introduce new editions of two widely used immigration forms on September 15, 2026, and applications filed using older versions from that date will be rejected.

The change covers Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, and Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. Both revised forms will carry the edition date 09/15/26.

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Form I-539 is used by certain nonimmigrants seeking to extend or change their status in the United States. It is also relevant to H-4 spouses and children of H-1B workers. As employers normally file Form I-129 on their behalf, H-1B employees themselves generally do not use I-539 to extend their H-1B status.

Form I-765 is used by eligible applicants seeking an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). As well as certain H-4 spouses and other categories eligible for employment authorization, it is particularly important for F-1 international students applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM OPT.

What happened

Applicants can continue using these existing editions as long as their forms are postmarked or electronically submitted before September 15. From September 15 onward, USCIS will accept only the new 09/15/26 editions, with no grace period for older forms.

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USCIS has already released preview copies of the revised forms and their instructions to assist applicants prepare. As they will not be accepted before their effective date, however, the agency has cautioned applicants not to submit the new editions before September 15.

The revisions are linked to new US immigration rules establishing fixed periods of admission and extension-of-stay procedures for F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and I-category foreign media representatives.

Under the new framework, F, J, and I nonimmigrants will generally move from the longstanding duration-of-status system to fixed periods of admission and may need to apply for an extension if they want to remain in the United States beyond their authorized stay.

The details

As USCIS will reject applications submitted on an outdated version, applicants planning to submit either I-539 or I-765 around the September 15 cutoff should therefore check the edition date carefully before filing.

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