Indian students and other nonimmigrants in the US planning to file certain immigration applications will need to pay close attention to the edition date on their forms from September 15, 2026.

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is replacing two commonly used forms — Form I-539 and Form I-765 — and has said there will be no grace period for applicants using the older editions after the deadline.

That means submitting the wrong version could lead to the application being rejected.

Which forms are changing?

From September 15, USCIS will accept only the new 09/15/26 editions of:

* Form I-539:Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status

* Form I-765: Application for Employment Authorization

The change is linked to a recently published final rule concerning admission periods and extensions of stay for certain nonimmigrants, including academic students, exchange visitors and representatives of foreign information media.

What happens to the old forms?

Applicants can continue using the existing editions, but only if they are submitted before September 15.

For Form I-539, the current 08/28/24 edition will be accepted if it is postmarked or electronically submitted before September 15. From that date onwards, USCIS will reject applications filed using the old version.

For Form I-765, the same applies to the 08/21/25 edition. It will be accepted before September 15, but not on or after the deadline.

In other words, simply completing an old form before September 15 will not be enough. If the application is filed after the deadline, applicants will need to use the new edition.

Why is USCIS making the change?

The revised forms are being introduced to reflect changes under the new final rule governing procedures for certain nonimmigrants.

USCIS has decided not to provide the transition period that sometimes accompanies changes to immigration forms. Applicants therefore need to use the edition applicable on the date they submit their application.

What does this mean for Indian students?

The change is particularly relevant to Indian nationals in the US who may need either form for an immigration-related application.

Students and exchange visitors, for instance, could encounter the new requirement while dealing with applications involving their nonimmigrant status. Those seeking employment authorisation may also need Form I-765, depending on their eligibility and immigration category.

The key point is the filing date.

Someone who downloads the existing version of a form before September 15 but submits it after the deadline cannot rely on the earlier edition. The application would have to be filed using the 09/15/26 version.

Can applicants use the new forms before September 15?

No.

USCIS has released preview versions of the new forms and their instructions so applicants can familiarise themselves with the changes. However, the agency has said these editions should not be filed before September 15, 2026.

The new versions will be accepted only when they are postmarked or electronically submitted on or after September 15.

What should applicants do?

Anyone planning to file either Form I-539 or Form I-765 around the deadline should check the edition date carefully before submitting the application.

Those filing before September 15 should use the edition currently accepted for that date. Those filing on or after September 15 must use the new 09/15/26 edition.

A form that looks otherwise complete can still run into trouble if the edition is no longer accepted. For applicants working towards a time-sensitive immigration filing, checking the form version could therefore be just as important as checking the information entered on it.