August 2026 brought together six official changes that affect anyone putting together an immigration application: a new fee on H-1B and L-1 extensions, three USCIS forms with new editions, the mandatory electronic filing rule, EOIR fees for fiscal year 2027, and a proposed fee for H-1B. This page brings all six together, with the date that matters for each one and a link to the official text.
30-second summary
- September 9, 2026 — the 9-11 biometric fee took effect for all H-1B and L-1 extensions.
- September 15, 2026 — new editions of Form I-539 and Form I-765.
- September 18, 2026 — new edition of Form I-485.
- August 11, 2026 — mandatory electronic filing rule in effect, with a waiver request available; comments accepted until October 13.
- October 1, 2026 — fiscal year 2027 fee amounts at EOIR.
- August 25, 2026 — proposed $103,265 fee for cap-subject H-1B (not yet a rule).
1. 9-11 biometric fee on all H-1B and L-1 extensions
The Department of Homeland Security published a rule on August 10, 2026, which took effect on September 9, 2026. According to the official text in the Federal Register, covered employers must collect the 9-11 biometric fee on all extension of status petitions, including extensions with no change of employer.
For initial grant of status petitions, the fee remains unchanged. What changed is the rule applied to extensions. When filing, the fee schedule in effect on the date of submission applies.
2. New editions of Form I-539 and Form I-765
USCIS published the 09/15/26 editions of Form I-539 and Form I-765 on September 15, 2026. According to the official USCIS announcement, these replace the 08/28/24 edition of the I-539 and the 08/21/25 edition of the I-765; there is no grace period, and older editions will now be rejected.
The edition date appears at the bottom of each page of the form. The guide USCIS Form: use the right edition shows where to check it.
3. New edition of Form I-485
USCIS published the 09/18/26 edition of Form I-485 on September 18, 2026, replacing the 01/20/25 edition. The official announcement sets the dates: the 01/20/25 edition is rejected if mailed or submitted electronically on or after September 18, and the 09/18/26 edition is only accepted starting on that same date.
What counts is the postmark date or the electronic submission date, not the date the form was filled out. An I-485 in the 01/20/25 edition submitted today would be rejected.
4. Mandatory electronic filing and the waiver request
The rule making electronic filing of USCIS forms mandatory has been in effect since August 11, 2026. The USCIS announcement provides for a waiver request for those who cannot file online. The waiver is granted at USCIS's discretion, based on undue hardship.
DHS is accepting public comments on the rule until October 13, 2026. What changes with online filing is covered in USCIS to require online form filing.
5. EOIR fees for fiscal year 2027
A notice published in the Federal Register on August 21, 2026 states that fiscal year 2027 fee amounts will be required for any relevant filing with the Immigration Courts or the Board of Immigration Appeals made on or after October 1, 2026.
The amount required depends on the filing date. The notice does not list the amounts, so the reference is the official EOIR fee schedule in effect on the day of submission.
6. Proposed $103,265 fee for cap-subject H-1B
On August 25, 2026, DHS published in the Federal Register a proposed fee of $103,265 per cap-subject H-1B petition, including those that qualify for the advanced degree exemption. According to the text, this would be charged in addition to other fees, not in place of them.
This is a proposal, not a rule currently in effect. Nothing changes for filing purposes until a final rule is published.
Sources
- Federal Register — 9-11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Fee for H-1B and L-1 Visas (08/10/2026)
- USCIS — New editions of Form I-539 and Form I-765
- USCIS — New edition of Form I-485
- USCIS — Electronic filing of forms
- Federal Register — Inflation Adjustment for EOIR Fees, FY 2027 (08/21/2026)
- Federal Register — Fee for Certain H-1B Petitions (08/25/2026)
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Educational information, not legal advice. Prime Immigration Office is a paralegal service — document preparation only. For legal advice, consult a licensed Texas attorney or DOJ-accredited representative.