U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will introduce new editions of Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, and Form I-756, Application for Employment Authorization, on September 15th, 2026.
Applicants should pay particularly close attention to the change because, unlike many USCIS form updates, there will be no grace period for using the previous editions. The revisions are tied to the recently issued final rule establishing fixed periods of admission for certain nonimmigrants, including F-1 students, exchange visitors, and representatives of foreign information media. The new forms have been updated so USCIS can implement the requirements of that rule when it takes effect on September 15th, 2026.
Beginning on September 15th, 2026, USCIS will only accept the 09/15/2026 editions of Forms I-539 and I-756, and applications submitted using an older edition on or after that date will be rejected.
For Form I-539, the current 08/28/2024 edition remains acceptable as long as it is postmarked or electronically submitted before September 15th, 2026, however, beginning September 15th, 2026, applicant must use the new 09/15/2026 edition.
USCIS has released preview versions of both revised forms and their instructions so applicants and practitioners can prepare for the transition. However, the new editions should not be filed before September 15th, 2026, as USCIS will accept them only on or after their effective date.
September 15th creates a firm dividing line: filings before that date should use the current editions; filing on or after September 15th must use the revised forms. With no grace period, checking the edition date before filing could mean the difference between acceptance and an avoidable rejection.