## USCIS Form I-539 and I-765 Updates: Avoid Rejection on September 15, 2026
Summary: USCIS will require new editions of Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, and Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, beginning September 15, 2026. There is no grace period.
For immigration news 2026, this is a concrete filing deadline. USCIS will accept the current 08/28/24 I-539 and 08/21/25 I-765 editions only when they are postmarked or submitted online before September 15. Starting that day, USCIS will reject those older editions. Conversely, the new 09/15/26 editions cannot be filed before September 15.
These visa updates implement DHS changes to fixed admission periods and extensions of stay for F students, exchange visitors, and representatives of foreign information media. However, the edition rule applies to every filer using these forms. A rejection is not the same as a request for more evidence: the filing may not be accepted at all, potentially disrupting status-extension, work-authorization, or travel planning.
What This Means for You - Key Point 1: Use the correct form edition for the submission date; USCIS will reject an outdated edition on or after September 15, 2026. - Who Should Be Concerned: Anyone preparing an I-539 or I-765 filing, including students, workers, dependents, and their employers or schools. - Timeline for Action: Review planned filings now; the change takes effect September 15, 2026, with no grace period. - Next Steps: Confirm the edition date, submission date, evidence, fee, and delivery plan before filing; seek qualified legal guidance for status-sensitive cases.
Sources: USCIS official notice: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-to-publish-new-editions-of-form-i-539-and-form-i-765-older-editions-will-be-rejected-starting. AILA confirmation: https://www.aila.org/library/uscis-announces-publication-of-new-editions-of-forms-i-539-and-i-765-for-immediate-use-on-9-15-26.