Indian professionals working in the US on H-1B or L-1 visas need to pay close attention this month.
September 2026 brings several important changes to US immigration rules and procedures.
These updates could affect Indian workers, their spouses, families and those waiting for green cards.
From new immigration forms to higher visa fees and an EB-2 India freeze, here are five major changes you should know about.
Old Immigration Forms Will No Longer Be Accepted
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced updated versions of Form I-539 and Form I-765.
Form I-539 is used to extend or change certain non-immigrant statuses, while Form I-765 is used to apply for employment authorization, commonly known as an EAD or work permit.
There is no transition period for the older versions.
Applications submitted using outdated forms after September 15 could be rejected. Therefore, applicants should check that they are using the latest version before filing.
Green Card Applicants Face a Stricter ‘Public Charge’ Review
Another important change affects people applying for permanent residency.
From September 18, immigration officials will apply a stricter public charge assessment when reviewing certain green card applications.
The financial review will look more closely at whether an applicant may depend on government assistance.
The scope of benefits considered could include certain housing, food and cash assistance programs.
Green card applicants and their families should therefore understand how their use of government benefits could affect their immigration case.
New Form I-485 Becomes Mandatory
The Form I-485 is one of the most important forms for people applying for a green card from inside the US through adjustment of status.
A new version of the form becomes mandatory from September 18.
After that date, USCIS will no longer accept older versions of the form.
Anyone planning to submit an I-485 around this deadline should carefully check the form edition before sending the application.
H-1B and L-1 Costs Rise for Some Large Companies
There is another major change that could affect Indian IT professionals.
The US government has increased certain fees for large companies sponsoring H-1B and L-1 workers.
Under the new rule, eligible companies may have to pay an additional $4,000 for an H-1B extension and $4,500 for an L-1 extension.
The higher fees apply to companies with 50 or more employees where more than half of the workforce is on H-1B or L-1 visas.
The increase could raise the cost of employing foreign workers and may influence hiring or visa sponsorship decisions at some companies.
5. EB-2 India Green Card Approvals Frozen in September
Indian professionals waiting for green cards under the EB-2 category face another setback.
According to the September 2026 Visa Bulletin, adjustment-of-status approvals for EB-2 India are unavailable during the month.
This means no new approvals in this category are expected before the current US fiscal year ends on September 30.
The situation is particularly significant for Indian professionals who have already spent years waiting because of the long green card backlog.
What Indian Visa Holders Should Keep in Mind
September could be an important month for Indian workers and green card applicants in the US.
The changes include new mandatory forms, stricter financial screening, higher visa-related costs and a temporary pause in EB-2 India approvals.
If you are filing an immigration application soon, check the latest USCIS requirements and form versions before submitting anything.
A small mistake, such as using an outdated form, could result in an application being rejected.
