Indian students, workers and green-card applicants are facing several important developments in the U.S. immigration system this week, with changes affecting applications, student status and employment-based immigration.
New I-539 and I-765 Forms Become Mandatory
Starting September 15, applicants must use the new editions of Forms I-539 and I-765.
Form I-539 is used for applications such as extensions or changes of nonimmigrant status, while Form I-765 is required for employment authorization, including applications linked to Optional Practical Training.
Applicants using outdated forms risk having their filings rejected, making it important to check the latest form edition before submission.
Court Blocks Major Student Visa Change
A major change to the F-1 and J-1 visa system was also scheduled to take effect this week. The proposed rule would have replaced the long-standing Duration of Status system with fixed admission periods.
Students could have been admitted for a defined period based on their academic programme, with new admissions generally capped at four years. The proposal also included changes affecting extensions, travel and school transfers.
One particularly significant provision would have reduced the post-completion departure grace period for F-1 students from 60 days to 30 days.
However, a federal judge in Massachusetts issued a preliminary injunction on September 14, preventing the new system from taking effect. The existing Duration of Status framework therefore remains in place for now.
Green Card Applicants Enter a New Visa Cycle
Another major development is approaching on October 1, when the U.S. enters fiscal year 2027.
The annual reset of employment-based immigrant visa numbers could influence priority-date movement for green-card applicants. Indian applicants in categories such as EB-1 and EB-2 are watching the upcoming Visa Bulletin closely because of persistent demand and backlogs.
However, the start of a new fiscal year does not automatically mean that all Indian employment-based categories will become current. Movement will depend on demand and available visa numbers.
What Indians Should Watch
The immediate priority for students is using the correct USCIS forms and understanding that the proposed student-visa overhaul has been put on hold by the court.
For green-card applicants, the October 2026 Visa Bulletin will be particularly important.
For Indians navigating the U.S. immigration system, this week brings a mix of new paperwork, judicial relief for students and fresh uncertainty over green-card timelines.
