Latest Announcements

New Editions of USCIS Forms I-765 and I-539 must be used as of September 15, 2026

Published by ISGSS: September 8, 2026

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will introduce revised editions of Form and on September 15, 2026. The new forms reflect changes under the federal rule replacing Duration of Status (D/S) with a fixed period of admission for F and J nonimmigrants.

The revised forms are:

• Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization: Edition dated 09/15/26
• Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status: Edition dated 09/15/26

F and J students use Form I-765 to apply for employment authorization, including F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT), STEM OPT extensions, and J-2 employment authorization. They use Form I-539 to extend or change their nonimmigrant status. 

No Grace Period for Previous Form Editions

USCIS will not provide a grace period during which applicants may continue using the previous editions. The correct edition depends on when the application is submitted:

Important Note: USCIS will reject an application submitted on or after September 15 if it uses an earlier edition of either form.

USCIS will use the postmark date for mailed applications and the electronic submission date for online applications to determine whether applicants filed the correct edition.

Lewis University Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Authorization Update

Published: September 9, 2026

Recently, DHS/SEVP announced increased scrutiny of CPT authorizations (see Aug 2026 broadcast messages linked below). Due to the increased scrutiny and liability related to CPT authorizations, the Office of International Affairs is currently reviewing all of its CPT policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the stricter interpretations of these policies. This thorough review is necessary to protect all students, DSOs, and º£½ÇÉçÇø. Please note that all CPT applications submitted to the ISGSS office will face longer review times, and there may be an increase in denied or paused applications at this time. 

As part of this compliance review, we will also be reviewing CPT applications that have been recently authorized this Fall2026 to ensure consistency with applicable requirements. If questions or concerns arise regarding a previous CPT authorization, we will communicate directly with the student and provide guidance on any appropriate next steps.

Our goal is to ensure that CPT authorizations are handled responsibly, consistently, and in accordance with current federal guidance while supporting our students throughout the process. 

Please contact ISGSS@lewisu.edu with any questions.

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