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USA immigration changes: week of 31 August 2026

Covers the week of 31 August 2026 · published 2026-09-10

This describes the week above, not today. Rules move, and this page is not updated after it is published. Check the official source on each item before you act on it, that is what the links are for.

Dates

Green card sponsors must use the new financial support form for filings from 1 October 2026

USCIS has issued a new edition of the sponsor's affidavit of support, Form I-864, dated 08/24/26. From 1 October 2026, USCIS will only accept this edition; an older 10/17/24 edition posted or filed on or after that date will not be processed.

Takes effect 2026-10-01.

Official source: I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA

Requirements changed

US student programme office tightens the test for Curricular Practical Training work placements for F-1 students

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program issued stricter guidance on when a work placement counts as an integral part of an F-1 student's course, reported in the week to 4 September 2026. Some universities, including UC Berkeley and UC Davis, have paused certain course-credit CPT programmes while they review the new approach. This affects international students in the United States who want internships or off-campus training.

Reported by a news outlet. We could not find this on the government's own pages, so treat it as news rather than as a rule you can rely on. Check the official source before you act.

Reported by boundless.com: https://www.boundless.com/blog/boundless-weekly-immigration-news

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