Indian students and workers living in the US need to be careful about an important immigration form change coming next month.
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will introduce new versions of two important immigration forms from September 15.
The agency has also made it clear that there will be no grace period for using the old forms.
Applications submitted using outdated versions after the deadline could be rejected.
Which Immigration Forms Are Changing?
The changes apply to Form I-539 and Form I-765, both of which are widely used by people living in the US under non-immigrant status.
Form I-539 is generally used to request an extension or change of non-immigrant status.
It can be relevant to workers and other eligible non-immigrants.
Form I-765 is used to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
This is particularly important for international students applying for work authorization through programs such as Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation.
The new versions of both forms will carry an edition date of September 15.
Old Forms Will Be Rejected After the Deadline
USCIS has issued an important warning for applicants.
Anyone submitting Form I-539 or Form I-765 before September 15 can use the currently accepted version, according to the applicable filing requirements.
However, applications filed on or after September 15 must use the new versions.
USCIS will reject applications submitted on or after the deadline using the old forms.
The agency will not provide additional time for applicants to switch from the old versions.
What Should Indian Students and Workers Do?
Applicants who are planning to file either form around the deadline should carefully check the form edition date before submitting their application.
USCIS has already made preview versions of the updated forms and their instructions available.
However, applicants should not submit the new versions before September 15.
The safest approach is to check the latest form version immediately before filing.
Using the wrong edition could lead to rejection and may cause unnecessary delays in the immigration process.
For Indian students applying for OPT and Indian workers or other eligible non-immigrants dealing with a change or extension of status, keeping track of this September 15 deadline will be especially important.
