U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will introduce revised editions of Form I-539 and Form I-765 on September 15, 2026. The new forms reflect changes under the federal rule replacing Duration of Status (D/S) with a fixed period of admission for F and J nonimmigrants.
The revised forms are:
- Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status: Edition dated 09/15/26
- Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization: Edition dated 09/15/26
F and J students and alumni use Form I-539 to extend or change their nonimmigrant status. They use Form I-765 to apply for employment authorization, including F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT), STEM OPT extensions, and J-2 employment authorization.
No Grace Period for Previous Form Editions
USCIS will not provide a grace period during which applicants may continue using the previous editions. The correct edition depends on when the application is submitted:
| Submission date | Form I-539 edition | Form I-765 edition |
|---|---|---|
| Before September 15, 2026 | 08/28/24 | 08/21/25 |
| On or after September 15, 2026 | 09/15/26 | 09/15/26 |
USCIS will reject an application submitted on or after September 15 if it uses an earlier edition of either form.
USCIS will use the postmark date for mailed applications and the electronic submission date for online applications to determine whether applicants filed the correct edition.