US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will introduce new editions of two key immigration forms from September 15, 2026, and applicants will not get a grace period to continue using the older versions.The agency will publish revised editions of Form I-539, used to apply to extend or change nonimmigrant status, and Form I-765, used to apply for employment authorisation. Both revised forms will carry an edition date of September 15.Also Read: US moves immigration filings online: What it means for green card, citizenship and asylum applicantsThe change is important for Indian nationals in the US who may need to file either form, particularly students, exchange visitors and other eligible nonimmigrants. USCIS will reject applications filed on or after September 15 using the older editions.What is changing from September 15?USCIS will introduce new versions of Form I-539, used to apply to extend or change nonimmigrant status, and Form I-765, used to apply for employment authorisation.The new forms will replace the versions currently in use. USCIS said the changes are needed to align the forms with a recently published final rule covering admission and extension-of-stay procedures for nonimmigrant academic students, exchange visitors and representatives of foreign information media.Also Read: Canada citizenship certificate wait jumps to 25 months; backlog crosses 121,000There will be no grace period for using the older versions.Form I-539 and Form I-765Applicants filing Form I-539 can use the current version if it is postmarked or electronically submitted before September 15, 2026.From September 15, USCIS will accept only the new version of the form. Applications submitted using the older version on or after that date will be rejected.The same deadline applies to Form I-765.USCIS will accept the current version if it is postmarked or electronically submitted before September 15. From that date, applicants must use the new version, and applications filed using the older form will be rejected.What Indian applicants need to knowFor Indian students, workers and other eligible nonimmigrants preparing an I-539 or I-765 application, the key point is the edition date of the form.Those submitting an application before September 15 can use the existing version applicable to that form. Anyone filing on or after September 15 must switch to the new edition.Applicants should also avoid using the new forms before the effective date. USCIS has released preview versions of both revised forms and their instructions, but said the new ones should not be filed before September 15.Using an outdated form after the September 15 deadline could result in the application being rejected. Since USCIS is not providing a grace period, applicants preparing an I-539 or I-765 filing around the deadline will need to check the edition date before submitting.USCIS has made preview versions of the revised forms and instructions available ahead of the September 15 change.