I-551 Temporary Evidence Stamp Immigrant Guide

Green cards are typically valid for ten years, although conditional green cards, often issued based on marriage or certain business investments, are valid for two years and must be renewed or adjusted for continued residency.

But what happens if your green card is lost, stolen, expired, or still being processed, and you need to prove your immigration status? That’s where the I-551 temporary evidence stamp comes in. Issued by USCIS and placed in your passport, this stamp serves as temporary proof of permanent status while you await your new or replacement green card. It ensures you can travel, work, and access critical benefits without interruption.

This guide explains when and how to obtain the I-551 stamp, who qualifies for it, what documents you’ll need, and how long it remains valid.

What is the I-551 Form?

The I-551 Form is the official term used by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to refer to the Permanent Resident Card, more commonly known as the green card. While “green card” is the widely recognized, informal name, the legal and technical designation is Form I-551. Both terms refer to the same physical document that serves as proof of lawful permanent resident (LPR) status in the United States.

This article focuses on the I-551 temporary evidence stamp, a stamp issued by USCIS as a substitute proof when an individual’s green card has expired, been lost, or is still in process. The temporary I-551 stamp is typically placed in the passport and is used as official evidence of permanent residency in cases where the actual green card (Form I-551) is not available.

USCIS has introduced a new mail delivery process for the I-551 stamp, allowing eligible applicants to receive it without visiting a field office.

Whether you are awaiting your first green card after arriving in the U.S. or renewing or replacing an existing one, the I-551 stamp allows you to maintain work authorization, travel, and access other essential benefits while your permanent document is being processed.

• The number on Form I-551 is the identification number for your permanent resident card.
• This card serves as proof that you have obtained a green card and are allowed to live and work in the U.S. permanently.
• It can also be used for reentry into the U.S. after international travel and allows visa-free travel to certain countries, depending on their entry requirements.
• Form I-551 refers to the physical green card issued to permanent residents, while the temporary I-551 is a stamp placed in your passport that serves as short-term proof of permanent resident status until you receive your actual green card.

Who Qualifies for an I-551 Temporary Evidence Stamp?

The I-551 stamp serves as temporary proof of lawful permanent resident (LPR) status when the physical green card (Form I-551) is not yet available or has expired. While all permanent residents are expected to carry a valid green card, there are situations where a temporary I-551 stamp is necessary to prove legal status, such as while waiting for a green card renewal or when first arriving in the U.S. as an immigrant.

USCIS typically issues this stamp in two situations:

1. Green Card Holders with a Pending Renewal Application

The first category is permanent residents whose I-90 forms are pending with the USCIS. The I-90 Form, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, is used to renew a green card when the existing one expires.

This process takes around four months, according to a VisaNation analysis of USCIS data. As a result, you may be in a situation where your green card has expired, but you need to prove permanent residency status. You can use the I-551 stamp while waiting for a green card as temporary evidence of lawful permanent resident status. For example, in an emergency, an I-551 stamp can prove legal status. This is important if USCIS doesn’t issue the new green card before the expiration date of the existing card.

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It is important to note that using the I-551 stamp should be a last resort if possible. You should always apply to renew your green card well before the expiration date. Of course, USCIS often takes much longer to process than expected, so it can be challenging.

You’ll notice in the Green Card sample above that in the top left-hand corner, it says Form I-551. This designation indicates your status as a permanent resident in the U.S. and allows you to work and travel.

2. Recently Arrived Immigrants to the U.S.

When you arrive in the United States for the first time as an immigrant, you are also issued a temporary evidence stamp, the I-551 form, otherwise known as a machine-readable immigrant visa (MRIV). U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issues this and will place it on your passport. It also contains your date of entry to the United States.

The MRIV typically includes the statement:

“UPON ENDORSEMENT SERVES AS TEMPORARY I-551 EVIDENCING PERMANENT RESIDENCE FOR 1 YEAR.”

The text demonstrates that you have permanent resident status valid for one year from the date you were admitted. This temporary evidence is valid until you receive your physical green card in the mail. Even if the MRIV does not have that statement, employers can treat this as acceptable document valid for 1 year from the date of admission.

NOTE: The one-year validity period on your I-551 doesn’t mean you only have one year to stay in the United States. It means that even if it takes up to a year for the USCIS to issue you a green card, the I-551 temporary evidence stamp is legal proof until USCIS generates the new green card.

In most cases, the USCIS issues a green card to a newly arrived immigrant within 120 days after entry. And once you have your green card, you can live and work in the United States indefinitely, as long as you maintain your permanent resident status and do not violate immigration laws.

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The idea behind the I-551 stamp is to help you demonstrate your eligibility for various benefits permitted within the context of your permanent resident status. For instance, if you are looking to gain employment, your MRIV (I-551 stamp) can be tendered as an acceptable List A document, and your employer won’t have to worry about your eligibility to work in the U.S.

List A documents are documents that establish both your identity and employment authorization.

When Do You Need an I-551 Temporary Evidence Stamp?

You may need a temporary evidence stamp when your green card expires. The temporary evidence stamp also helps in other situations. For example, you can apply for it if you lose or damage your card. Generally speaking, a green card comes with a validity of 10 years. While your non-conditional permanent resident status does not expire, having a valid, unexpired green card is still essential.

It is essential because you may need to travel abroad for less than a year and may want to re-enter the country while your card expires in the interim. In addition, your unexpired card serves as proof of several vital things. These include your status and authorization to work in the United States. It also permits you to return to the U.S. following a trip abroad of less than one year.

You also need a valid green card or confirmed I-551 temporary evidence status for work authorization and a driver’s license.

Can I travel internationally when my IV date has expired on a temporary I-551?

The Immigrant Visa (IV) validity date only matters before you enter the U.S. for the first time. It represents the deadline to use your visa to enter the country and be admitted as a lawful permanent resident (LPR).

Once you are admitted, the IV validity date no longer applies. Instead, what matters is the date your passport was stamped by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) upon entry. That stamp serves as your temporary I-551, and it is valid as proof of permanent residency for one year from the date of entry

How to Get the I-551 Temporary Evidence Stamp

If you have a pending Form I-90 and need proof of your lawful permanent resident (LPR) status while waiting for your replacement green card, USCIS can issue temporary evidence of status, commonly known as an I-551 stamp. This stamp may be placed either directly in your passport or on a Form I-94.

Requesting the Temporary Evidence

To request the I-551 stamp, you must contact the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833 for the hearing impaired). An immigration services officer will:

1. Verify your identity and mailing address.

2. Determine if your address can receive express mail (UPS or FedEx).

3. Decide whether you need an in-person appointment at a local USCIS field office or if the temporary evidence can be mailed to you.

Mailed Form I-94 with ADIT Stamp

If an in-person appointment is not required, USCIS will mail you a Form I-94 with an ADIT (temporary I-551) stamp. This document:

• Includes your photo, printed from USCIS records.

• Has the DHS seal over the ADIT stamp.

• Serves as acceptable proof of status for Form I-9 and E-Verify purposes.

In-Person I-551 Stamp

If an in-person appointment is required, USCIS will schedule it at your local field office. The stamp will be placed in your passport or on Form I-94 with your photo and the DHS seal. Both mailed and in-person stamps are valid temporary evidence of your LPR status.

Validity

The validity period of the I-551 stamp varies based on your circumstances. USCIS often issues stamps up to 12 months, but shorter periods may be granted if biometrics are pending or if your passport expires sooner. In many cases, previously submitted biometrics can be reused. If new biometrics are required, you will receive a separate appointment notice.

Key Takeaways

• You must contact USCIS to request temporary evidence.

• USCIS may mail a Form I-94 with ADIT stamp or schedule an in-person appointment.

• Both options are valid for employment verification and travel purposes.

• The stamp’s validity depends on passport expiration, biometrics status, and other case-specific factors.

Documents Required for Form I-551

Take the following documents with you to your appointment with USCIS when you seek an I-551 stamp:

• Valid, unexpired passport
• InfoPass appointment notice (if applicable)
• Form I-90 receipt notice (USCIS sends you a receipt letter about 2-4 weeks after filing)
• Proof of residence within the jurisdiction of the USCIS office
• Copy of expired/lost green card, if available
• Copy of date-stamped ASC appointment notice showing biometrics capture (if applicable)

Circumstances differ from person to person. You may need a temporary stamp because you must travel abroad soon, or for an emergency, or a medical procedure.

Bring evidence for all such situations, such as a booked flight, a death certificate, a company letter if emergency travel is work-related, or a medical letter from your doctor or information on a scheduled procedure.

What is the difference between green card renewal and replacement?

There is a difference between green card renewal and replacement, even though they both require the same I-90 form.

Green Card Renewal

10-Year Green Card

You need a green card renewal when a 10-year permanent card expires or will expire within the next six months. If you have a green card without an expiration date, you have an old version. Regardless of how long you have been using it, this type of green card may no longer be valid. Therefore, you would need to apply to renew it.

Conditional Resident Status

A conditional permanent resident card is another reason for a green card renewal application. You will need to apply for a renewal before your conditional green card expires. You must file the renewal 90 days before the expiration. If USCIS approves your renewal petition, you won’t have any more conditions on your permanent residency. You will get a new green card with a 10-year validity period.

However, unlike other green card renewal applications, you cannot use the I-90 form as the petition to remove the conditions on a green card with a two-year validity period. There are two different application forms for this purpose, depending on your specific status:

• If your conditional resident status was for a marriage-based green card, you would need to file the I-751 form, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence.
• If your conditional resident status was based on an entrepreneur or investor green card, you must file an I-829 form, Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status.

Failure to remove the conditions on your green card before it expires can lead to a loss of your permanent resident status, regardless of whether it is a marriage-based or investor/entrepreneur-based green card.

Green Card Replacement 

You will need to apply to replace your green card if you need to change any information on your existing green card or if the card has been damaged, stolen, or lost.

Green card replacement is also required if your permanent resident status was issued when you were younger than 14 years old. Now that you are older than 14, your existing green card will need to be replaced.

I-551 Stamp FAQs

Get Help with Your I-551 Stamp from VisaNation Law Group

Navigating the process of obtaining an I-551 temporary evidence stamp can be confusing, especially when timing, documentation, or urgent travel plans are involved. That’s where the immigration attorneys at VisaNation Law Group can help. Our team has extensive experience guiding clients through the I-551 stamp process, from determining eligibility to scheduling USCIS appointments and ensuring all required documents are properly prepared.

Whether you’re waiting for your green card, facing an expired document, or unsure if you’re eligible to receive the stamp by mail, we can provide the legal guidance and support you need. Let us help you avoid unnecessary delays and ensure your lawful permanent resident status is done correctly.

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