New Versions of Two Important Immigration Forms Coming Soon

Starting September 15, 2026, you must use new versions of Form I-539 and Form I-765 when applying to extend your stay or get a work permit.

Affects: F1, OPT, H1B, Green Card · Source: USCIS · Action may be needed

What happened

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will release new versions of two forms. These forms are called Form I-539 and Form I-765.

The new forms will be available on September 15, 2026. After this date, USCIS will only accept the new versions of these forms.

If you send an older version of Form I-539 or Form I-765 on or after September 15, 2026, USCIS will reject it. There will be no extra time to use the old forms.

The bigger picture

Before this change, people used older versions of Form I-539 to ask for more time to stay in the U.S. or to change their visitor status. They used Form I-765 to ask for permission to work.

USCIS is making these changes to match a new rule. This rule is about how long some students, exchange visitors, and foreign media workers can stay in the U.S. The new forms help USCIS follow this rule.

What this means for you

F1 students

If you are an F1 student and need to extend your stay or apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), you will need to use the new forms. Make sure you use the correct version on or after September 15, 2026.

H1B workers

If you are an H1B worker, this change mainly affects your family members (like H4 dependents) who use Form I-539 to extend their stay or Form I-765 to get a work permit. They must use the new forms after the deadline.

Green card applicants

If you are waiting for your Green Card and need to apply for a work permit (Employment Authorization Document), you use Form I-765. You will need to use the new version of this form on or after September 15, 2026.

Employers

There is no direct change for employers. However, your employees who need to extend their stay or get work permits will need to use the new forms. You might need to remind them about this change.

What you should do

Key dates

Words explained

Form I-539
This is a form you use to ask the government for more time to stay in the U.S. or to change your visitor status.
Form I-765
This is a form you use to ask the government for permission to work in the U.S.
Nonimmigrant Status
This means you are allowed to be in the U.S. for a specific reason and for a certain amount of time, like being a student or a temporary worker.
Employment Authorization
This is the official permission you get from the government to work legally in the United States.
Grace Period
This is extra time given to people to do something, like using an old form after a new one is released. For these forms, there will be no grace period.

Common questions

When do I need to start using the new forms?

You must use the new versions of Form I-539 and Form I-765 if you send them on or after September 15, 2026. If you send them before this date, you should use the older versions.

What happens if I accidentally send an old form after the deadline?

If USCIS receives an older version of Form I-539 or Form I-765 on or after September 15, 2026, they will reject it. This means your application will not be processed, and you will need to resubmit it with the correct new form.

Where can I find the new forms?

USCIS will publish the new forms and their instructions on their website. You can visit the Form I-539 and Form I-765 webpages on the USCIS website to find them.

Will these new forms make my application faster or slower?

The announcement does not say if the new forms will change how fast or slow your application is processed. The main reason for the change is to match a new rule about how long some people can stay in the U.S.

This is a plain-English explanation, not legal advice. Confirm with the official source or a licensed immigration attorney.

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