I-539 and I-765 Editions Change on September 15, 2026, With No Grace Period
USCIS will accept only the 09/15/26 editions of Forms I-539 and I-765 if they are postmarked or filed electronically on or after September 15, 2026. Older editions will be rejected. This is a status-and-EAD calendar, not an I-140 calendar.
I-539 and I-765 Editions Change on September 15, 2026, With No Grace Period #
Key takeaways
- New edition date for both forms: 09/15/26
- No grace period
- Old I-539 (08/28/24) and I-765 (08/21/25) are accepted only if submitted before September 15
- Do not file the preview edition early
- This does not change NIW I-140 standards
USCIS announced the change on August 14, 2026. The revisions align the forms with a final rule on fixed periods of admission for certain nonimmigrants. This article is not legal advice.
| Form | Old edition | New edition | Old edition cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-539 | 08/28/24 | 09/15/26 | Before 2026-09-15 |
| I-765 | 08/21/25 | 09/15/26 | Before 2026-09-15 |
USCIS will not accept the 09/15/26 edition before September 15, and will reject the old editions on or after that date.
STEM OPT, H-4 EAD, and many dependent extensions are the cases most likely to hit this date. Green-card cutoff dates are a separate calendar. See the I-485 edition change for adjustment filings.
FAQ #
Is the rule based on receipt date or postmark?
USCIS refers to postmarked or electronically submitted dates. Confirm the current form page for your filing channel.
Can I use the preview PDF on September 10?
No. The new edition is only for filings on or after September 15.
Does this affect my NIW petition letter?
No. It affects nonimmigrant stay and work-authorization forms.
What if my OPT window straddles September 15?
Calculate the earliest and latest lawful filing dates first, then pick the edition that matches that side of the cutoff.