USCIS Extends Green Card Validity for Conditional Permanent Residents: What You Need to Know

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced that it has extended the validity of Green Cards for 48 months beyond the expiration date on the card for conditional permanent residents who file or have filed one of the below forms:

– Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence (as of January 25, 2023)

– Form I-829, Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status (as of January 11, 2023)

Conditional permanent residents typically receive a Green Card that is valid for two years and must file a petition to remove the conditions on their status before their card expires.

Why USCIS Provided the Extension

It is taking longer than usual for USCIS to process Forms I-751 and Forms I-829. As a result, USCIS extended the validity of these conditional Green Cards to account for the longer processing times.

What This Means

If you file a Form I-751, your receipt notice will show the 48-month validity period. If you filed before January 25, 2023, and your Form I-751 is still pending, USCIS will send you a new receipt notice with the new expiration date.

If you file a Form I-829, your receipt notice will show the 48-month validity period. If you filed before January 11, 2023, and your Form I-829 is still pending, USCIS will send you a new receipt notice with the new expiration date.

Together, the receipt notice and your expired Green Card serve as proof of your continued status while your case is pending with USCIS and can be used for work and travel for 48 months beyond your Green Card expiration date.

It will likely take USCIS several weeks to reissue receipt notices with the extended validity period. You do not need to call the USCIS Contact Center to request an appointment to obtain an Alien Documentation, Identification, and Telecommunications (ADIT) stamp as temporary evidence of lawful permanent resident (LPR) status—unless your Green Card is no longer in your possession. If you no longer have your Green Card, USCIS may issue you an ADIT stamp as temporary evidence of your LPR status. If this applies to you, reach out to the USCIS Contact Center to schedule an appointment at a USCIS field office. Otherwise, if you still have your Green Card, and are waiting for an amended receipt notice, you should schedule an appointment for an ADIT stamp only if you need it for employment or travel.

Additionally, if you are a conditional permanent resident and plan to travel and remain outside of the United States for a year or longer, you should apply for a permit by filing Form I-131, Application for Travel Document before you leave the United States.

More Information

See USCIS’ news alert for additional information on this extension. If you need information on when to file a Form I-751, USCIS provides a filing date calculator on its When to File Form I-751 page.

USCIS source