New I-765 and I-539 Forms Required September 15, 2026: What Applicants Need to Know
Starting September 15, 2026, USCIS will require applicants to use new editions of Form I-765 and Form I-539. There will be no grace period for the older versions, meaning applicants who submit outdated editions after the deadline could have their filings rejected.
The change is important for thousands of people in the United States who are applying for employment authorization, extending or changing nonimmigrant status, or preparing immigration paperwork.
If you are planning to file Form I-765 or Form I-539, checking the edition date before submitting your application could help you avoid an unnecessary rejection or delay.
What Is Changing on September 15, 2026?
New I-765 and I-539 Forms
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is introducing new editions of two important immigration forms:
- Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization
- Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
Both updated forms carry an edition date of September 15, 2026 (09/15/26).
USCIS has indicated that beginning September 15, applicants must use the new editions. Older editions will no longer be accepted for filings subject to the change.
- What Is Form I-765?
Form I-765 is the application used by eligible noncitizens to request an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), commonly called a work permit.
Depending on the applicant’s immigration category, Form I-765 can be used to request an initial work permit, a renewal, or a replacement EAD.
USCIS maintains current information and processing resources for Form I-765 on its official website.
Who May Be Affected?
New I-765 and I-539 Forms
The change can be relevant to different categories of applicants, including certain:
- Students and international graduates
- H-4 spouses who qualify for employment authorization
- Asylum applicants
- Adjustment-of-status applicants
- Refugees and asylees
- T and U nonimmigrant applicants
- Other eligible applicants seeking employment authorization
Eligibility depends on the individual’s immigration category and circumstances.
What Is Form I-539?
New I-765 and I-539 Forms
Form I-539 is the Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status.
It is commonly used by eligible nonimmigrants in the United States who want to request an extension or change of certain nonimmigrant statuses.
For example, certain visitors, students, dependents and other nonimmigrants may use Form I-539 when eligible.
The form should not be confused with employment authorization. Form I-539 concerns a person’s nonimmigrant status, while Form I-765 is generally used to request employment authorization.
The Most Important Deadline: September 15, 2026
New I-765 and I-539 Forms
The key date applicants should remember is:
September 15, 2026
From that date, USCIS will require the new editions of Form I-765 and Form I-539 covered by the update.
According to reporting on the USCIS change, there is no grace period for using the previous editions. That means applicants should not assume that an older form will be accepted simply because it was downloaded before September 15.
What Happens If You Use an Old Form?
New I-765 and I-539 Forms
Using an outdated edition can create a serious filing problem.
If USCIS rejects the filing because the wrong edition was submitted, the applicant may have to correct the problem and file again. Depending on the immigration benefit involved and the applicant’s deadline, that could potentially create additional delays.
For this reason, applicants should check the form edition immediately before filing.
I-765 vs. I-539: What’s the Difference?
Form| Main Purpose
I-765| Apply for employment authorization/work permit
I-539| Extend or change certain nonimmigrant status
I-765 + I-539| Some applicants may need or be eligible to file both
In some immigration situations, the two forms can be filed together.
For example, USCIS instructions explain that certain H-4 applicants may file Form I-765 with Form I-539, although the I-765 adjudication may depend on the underlying I-539 case.
What Applicants Should Do Before September 15
New I-765 and I-539 Forms
If you are planning to submit either form, consider taking these steps:
- Check the Edition Date
Do not rely on an old PDF saved on your phone or computer.
Before filing, check that you are using the correct 09/15/26 edition when required.
- Download the Form From USCIS
The safest approach is to obtain the latest form directly from USCIS rather than relying on an old copy, social-media post, or third-party website.
- Check the Filing Instructions
Changing the edition of a form does not mean every applicant has the same filing requirements.
Your eligibility category can determine:
- Required supporting documents
- Filing location
- Filing fee
- Whether online filing is available
- Whether another form must be filed at the same time
- Check Your Deadline
If your status, employment authorization, or another immigration benefit has a deadline approaching, do not wait until the last day to prepare your paperwork.
- Review Everything Before Submitting
A correct form edition is only one part of a successful filing.
Applicants should also review their answers, signatures, supporting evidence, fees and filing instructions before submitting the application.
What About People Who Already Filed?
New I-765 and I-539 Forms
The September 15 change is primarily important for new filings made under the updated form requirements.
If you have already filed an application, you should not automatically assume that you need to submit another form simply because a new edition is being introduced.
Instead, check your USCIS receipt notice and the latest USCIS instructions for your specific case.
USCIS provides online tools for checking case status and other case-related information.
Why This Form Change Matters
New I-765 and I-539 Forms
Immigration forms are not simply paperwork. An incorrect or outdated form can result in a filing being rejected before USCIS gets to the underlying immigration request.
The September 15, 2026 update is therefore particularly important for people who are preparing filings close to a deadline.
A few minutes spent checking the edition date can help prevent an avoidable filing problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
New I-765 and I-539 Forms
Is the new I-765 required from September 15, 2026?
Yes. The new 09/15/26 edition of Form I-765 is scheduled to be required beginning September 15, 2026, for filings covered by the update.
Is there a grace period for the old I-765?
New I-765 and I-539 Forms
No. Reports on the USCIS announcement state that there will be no grace period for the previous edition.
Is Form I-539 also changing?
Yes. USCIS is introducing a new 09/15/26 edition of Form I-539 at the same time.
Can I use an old I-539 after September 15?
New I-765 and I-539 Forms
Applicants should not assume that an older edition will be accepted. The updated requirement means applicants should use the current USCIS edition applicable on the date of filing.
Do all immigrants need Form I-765?
No. Form I-765 is only for people who are eligible to request employment authorization under an applicable category.
Do all nonimmigrants need Form I-539?
No. Whether Form I-539 is appropriate depends on the person’s current immigration status, requested benefit and eligibility.
Bottom Line
September 15, 2026 is an important date for people preparing Form I-765 or Form I-539 filings.
New I-765 and I-539 Forms
The biggest takeaway is simple:
Check the edition date before you file.
Applicants should use the updated 09/15/26 editions when required and should not rely on older versions after the effective date.
Because immigration rules and filing instructions can change, applicants should always verify the latest requirements directly with USCIS before submitting an immigration application.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Immigration eligibility and filing requirements can vary by individual circumstances. For case-specific legal advice, consider consulting a qualified U.S. immigration attorney or accredited representative.
1 thought on “New I-765 and I-539 Forms Required September 15, 2026: What Applicants Need to Know”