U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will introduce new editions of two commonly used immigration forms, with no grace period for applicants using the older versions.

Form I-539 — used by eligible foreign nationals to extend or change their temporary immigration status; and Form I-765 — used to apply for work authorization — are set to change starting Sept. 15.

USCIS will publish new versions of the forms with a version date of September 15, 2026.

The changes are intended to align the forms with a recently published final rule establishing fixed periods of admission and procedures for extensions of stay for certain foreign national students and exchange visitors.

What Applicants Need to Know

USCIS will accept the existing August 28, 2024, version of Form I-539 if it is postmarked or electronically submitted before Sept. 15. If submitted on or after Sept. 15, it will be rejected.

The agency will accept the August 21, 2025, version of Form I-765 if it is postmarked or electronically submitted before Sept. 15, and any applications sent on the older form on or after the deadline will be rejected.

Applicants have been specifically advised not to file the Sept. 15 versions before Sept. 15 or they will be rejected.

USCIS cautioned that filing a request on the wrong form can result in rejection or denial and that filing fees will not be refunded if a case is denied.

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued updated guidance in its Policy Manual regarding how the agency will determine whether an applicant seeking lawful permanent residence (green card) is likely to become a public charge.

The new policy framework follows a final rule announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on July 16, 2026, which rescinds the 2022 Biden-era public charge regulations. Formally published in the Federal Register on July 20, 2026, the final rule goes into effect on September 18, 2026.

According to the agency, the updated guidance aligns with US congressional intent that noncitizens residing in the United States should maintain self-sufficiency rather than relying on taxpayer-funded government benefits.

USCIS outlined specific categories of applicants subject to the public charge ground of inadmissibility, alongside those explicitly exempted by Congress. Categories subject to public charge review include family-based applicants (spouses, children, parents, siblings, and fiancé(e)s of US citizens or LPRs), employment-based applicants (priority workers, advanced degree holders, skilled/unskilled workers, investors, religious workers, and foreign medical graduates), Diversity Visa immigrants, and international broadcasters. Exempt categories include refugees, asylees, victims of human trafficking and crime (T and U nonimmigrants), VAWA self-petitioners, Special Immigrant Juveniles, TPS applicants, and Afghan and Iraqi interpreters.

Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), USCIS officers are mandated to evaluate five core statutory factors when determining inadmissibility: age; health; family status; assets, resources, and financial status; and education and skills. Officers may also consider Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support) executed by a sponsor.

In assessing benefit usage, USCIS will review cases based on the date of receipt. For benefits received prior to September 18, 2026, USCIS will strictly consider public cash assistance for income maintenance and long-term institutionalization at government expense.

 For benefits received on or after September 18, 2026, USCIS will consider any and all means-tested public benefits, including cash assistance, housing subsidies, food stamps (SNAP), and financial aid for college. Adjudications will be made on a case-by-case basis under the totality of the applicant’s circumstances.

In instances where an applicant for adjustment of status is found inadmissible solely on public charge grounds, a USCIS officer may invite the applicant to post a public charge bond. The bond acts as a financial guarantee—via cash or a US Treasury-certified surety company—to assure that the applicant will not depend on public assistance. The bond amount will be determined based on the estimated value of government assistance the individual might qualify for and receive over the next five years. Applicants may only submit a Public Charge Bond (Form I-945) if specifically invited to do so via a formal Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID). Unsolicited bond submissions will not be accepted by the agency.

The updated manual supersedes all previous guidance, including the 1999 Interim Field Guidance. The policy becomes effective on September 18, 2026, and applies to all Form I-485 applications postmarked or electronically submitted on or after that date.

On July 17, 2026, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) published a final rule that ends the long‑standing “duration of status” approach for F (students), J (exchange visitors) and I (foreign media) nonimmigrants.  Instead, Forms I‑94 for these nonimmigrants will now have a fixed expiration date identifying the date through which admission to the United States is valid. 

The final rule includes other changes as well, such as shortening the grace period for F‑1 students to depart the United States after their program end date.  These changes are expected to impact employers that hire F‑1 students and J‑1 professionals.  The rule will take effect on September 15, 2026, and will include transitional rules that will apply to individuals who are already in the United States.

What is Changing

Historically, most F, J and I nonimmigrants were admitted for “duration of status,” or “D/S,” meaning that their Form I‑94 did not list a specific “Admit Until” date.  Under the new rule, these individuals will receive a specific expiration date on their Form I-94.  The new admission periods for each classification starting on September 15, 2026 will be as follows:

• F‑1 students and dependents will generally be admitted for up to the length of the academic program listed on the Form I-20, not to exceed four years. The existing 60-day grace period after the program ends for F-1 nonimmigrants will be shortened to 30 days;
• J‑1 exchange visitors and dependents will generally be admitted for up to the length of the program listed on the Form DS‑2019, not to exceed four years, with a 30‑day grace period after the program ends; and
• I nonimmigrants and dependents will generally be admitted for the time needed to complete the assignment, not to exceed 240 days. Individuals with passports issued by the People’s Republic of China will be admitted for a period not to exceed 90 days.

F, J or I nonimmigrants seeking to remain in the United States beyond the Form I‑94 expiration date will either need to apply for an extension of their stay with the USCIS or leave the United States and return, requesting a new admission period at the port of entry.

Impact on Current F, J and I Nonimmigrants

The USCIS has provided a transitional rule for individuals who are in the United States in valid F, J or I status and are maintaining status when the rule takes effect on September 15, 2026.  These individuals will be permitted to remain in the U.S. for the following periods, unless they take further action for extensions:

• F‑1 students maintaining their status on September 15, 2026, will be permitted to remain in the United States until the later of (i) the program end date shown on their current Form I‑20 or (ii) the expiration date of their employment authorization document, but in either case not beyond four years from September 15, 2026;
• J‑1 exchange visitors maintaining their status on September 15, 2026, will be permitted to remain in the United States until the program end date shown on their current Form DS‑2019, but not beyond four years from September 15, 2026;
• I nonimmigrants maintaining their status on September 15, 2026, will be permitted to remain in the United States for an additional period of up to 240 days, or up to 90 days for individuals with passports issued by the People’s Republic of China; and
• F‑2, J‑2 and I dependents maintaining their status on September 15, 2026, will be permitted to remain in the United States until the period of stay authorized for the principal F-1, J‑1 and I nonimmigrant.

F‑1 students and their dependents who are maintaining their status on September 15, 2026, will continue to receive the 60‑day grace period to depart after their program end date or end date of post‑completion OPT.  The 30‑day grace period for J‑1 exchange visitors is not affected by the new rule.

F‑1 students who were admitted for a “duration of status” and file a timely application for post‑completion OPT employment authorization (including STEM extensions) with the USCIS on or before March 18, 2027 are not required to request an extension of their F-1 status.

What Does This Mean for Employers?

Even though the rule is aimed at nonimmigrants and their program sponsors, employers can reduce disruption by planning for an increase in date-based compliance obligations. 

Vorys attorneys are closely tracking the implementation and impact of this final rule.  We will provide updates as new information becomes available.

COVID-19 Parent Handbook Addendum- Effective: December 6, 2021
Revised International and Domestic Travel Advisory Guidelines:

Out of precaution at this time the Elementary schools within the Diocese of Brooklyn will require

all Faculty, Staff and Students to follow the CDC Travel guidelines for vaccinated and non-
vaccinated individuals for International Travel

This will apply to ALL International Travel.
International Travel: Fully Vaccinated Individuals
Before you arrive in the United States:

All air passengers coming to the United States, including U.S. citizens and fully vaccinated
people, are required to show a negative COVID-19 test result no more than 1 day before travel
or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in the past 3 months before they board a flight to
the United States.

After travel:

• Get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel.
• Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms; isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms.
• Follow all state and local recommendations or requirements

International Travel: Non-Vaccinated Individuals:

Before you arrive in the United States:

All air passengers coming to the United States, including U.S. citizens and fully vaccinated
people, are required to show a negative COVID-19 viral test result no more than 1 day before
travel or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in the past 3 months before they board a
flight to the United States.

After you travel:

• Get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel AND stay home and self-quarantine for a
full 7 days after travel.

• Even if you test negative, stay home and self-quarantine for the full 7 days.
• If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected.
• If you don’t get tested, stay home and self-quarantine for 10 days after travel.
• Avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness for 14 days,
whether you get tested or not.
• Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms; isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms.
• Follow all state and local recommendations or requirements

Domestic Travel:

Quarantine is not required following Domestic Travel. All Domestic travelers should adhere to
the following recommendations:

• Monitor your child for COVID-19 symptoms; isolate and contact your Healthcare provider
if your child develops symptoms.

• Keep your child home if they are sick and experience any COVID-19 symptoms, including
fever, chills, new cough, new loss of taste or smell, and new shortness of breath, even if
the symptoms are mild.

• Mild symptoms such as a runny nose or backache have been mistaken for other illnesses
and have turned out to be COVID-19.

• Call the school to report any illness or positive test results for COVID-19.

Please Note: These guidelines are subject to change as the pandemic continues to evolve and
information is shared by city and state agencies.

Schools within the Diocese of Brooklyn reserve the right to implement COVID safety and health
guidelines above the required city and state requirements.