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US Visa applicants will need to pay close attention to USCIS form updates coming into effect from September 15, 2026, with revised versions of two key
immigration forms set to replace their existing editions. The change is particularly relevant to H-1B families, international students, exchange visitors and other eligible non-immigrant visa holders who use the forms for status or employment-related applications. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will introduce new versions of Form I-539 and Form I-765 from September 15. Applicants using an outdated version after the deadline could face rejection, making the edition date an important detail to check before filing.
New US Visa Forms From September 15
Form I-765, which is used to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), will move to a new edition dated September 15, 2026. It will replace the current version dated August 21, 2025, with USCIS stating that there will be no grace period for applicants continuing to use the older form.
Applications submitted or postmarked before September 15 can use the existing version, according to the supplied information. From the effective date onwards, applicants must use the new September 15, 2026 edition when filing Form I-765.
The second change concerns Form I-539, which is generally used by eligible non-immigrants already in the US who want to extend their stay or change their non-immigrant status. USCIS has released preview copies of the revised forms so applicants can review the changes before the new editions become mandatory.
What H-1B Families Need To Know
The changes are particularly relevant to H-1B dependents, including eligible H-4 spouses and children. An H-4 dependent may use Form I-539 to seek an extension or change of dependent status, subject to the applicable immigration requirements.
An H-1B worker generally does not use Form I-539 to extend or change their own H-1B status. In such cases, the employer typically files Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, with USCIS.
Form I-765 is a separate matter. Certain H-4 spouses may qualify for an employment authorisation document and would use Form I-765 to apply, although eligibility depends on the requirements applicable to their individual circumstances.
What International Students Should Check
International students are also among those who may be affected by the updated Form I-765. The form is used by eligible applicants seeking employment authorisation, including certain students whose immigration status or circumstances allows them to apply for work authorisation.
If an application is being filed on or after September 15, the correct edition of the form will therefore be important. The change does not mean that every student or H-1B holder needs to submit a new application; it applies when an individual is actually required to use one of these forms.
For applicants, the practical point is straightforward: check the form edition date before filing. The September 15, 2026 versions of both Form I-539 and Form I-765 should be used once the new editions take effect, while the old I-765 will no longer be accepted after the deadline.
The update is therefore less about a new visa category or a blanket change to H-1B eligibility and more about ensuring that applications are filed using the correct USCIS forms. For H-1B families, international students and other non-immigrants preparing applications around the September deadline, using an outdated form could create an avoidable filing problem.
