A green card, or Form I-551, is an immigrant’s status before they eventually apply for United States citizenship. What happens if you are entering the U.S. before you have your green card, or your green card expires or is about to expire, and you need to prove your status? You can avoid specific problems involving travel or a lost, stolen, or expiring green card with a temporary evidence stamp. The validity of Form I-551 is ten years; however, conditional green cards like the CR1 are valid for 2 years and must be renewed if one chooses to remain a permanent resident or obtains U.S citizenship. Learn everything about how the I-551 temporary evidence stamp can hold you over while you wait for your green card.
What is Form I-551?
Commonly known as the green card, Form I-551 is the official name of the permanent resident card and serves as proof of your U.S. permanent status, or “lawful permanent resident” (LPR) status.
- 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 Gets 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. Permanent Residents Whose Green Card Renewal Application Is Pending
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 a month, according to 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. Newly Arrived Immigrants From a Foreign Country
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.
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 is 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 Obtain the I-551 Temporary Evidence Stamp
If you find yourself with a pending I-90 and need proof of your status, then the local USCIS office responsible for your jurisdiction can issue a temporary I-551 stamp on your passport. USCIS issues stamps based on the applicant’s unique situation. Generally, though, USCIS issues I-551 temporary evidence stamps for six to 12 months. You can request an appointment to get your I-551 stamp in your passport by calling USCIS at 1-800-375-5283.
If you are short on time and circumstances require a quicker resolution, the USCIS caters to walk-in appointments. However, this service varies in terms of procedures from office to office. USCIS will typically issue the I-551 stamp with 6 to 12 months of validity. If your passport expires before that time, the stamp will likely reflect the passport’s expiration date.
You will also need to have completed your biometrics. This should not be a problem in cases where an I-90 has been pending for a while. This is so because, with an I-90 filing, you would need your biometrics to be completed within the next 30 days. USCIS has the right to further limit the validity of the stamp to a 30 to 60-day period if you haven’t done your biometrics for the pending I-90.
How Long Is an I-551 Stamp Valid?
A temporary evidence stamp (I-551) is typically valid for six months to a year. However, each applicant’s situation will determine the validity period. For example, your passport’s expiration date may affect your I-551 validity length. If your passport is due to expire sooner, USCIS will likely issue the temporary evidence stamp with a shorter validity period.
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.
I-551 Temporary Evidence Stamp: Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find answers to the most commonly asked questions about I-551:
Can I travel with an I-551 stamp without a Green Card?
Yes, you can travel with a temporary I-551 stamp in your passport without your actual green card. Remember that the stamp offers you a 12-month validity. This does not depend on the expiration date printed on your Immigrant Visa (IV), or the date listed below “IV expires on.” That IV validity date only matters before you enter the U.S. for the first time—it’s the deadline for using the visa to enter the country and become a permanent resident. Once you’re admitted and a permanent resident, that IV date no longer matters.
If you need a new passport, bring both the old and the new to show the border patrol officers your temporary I-551, which does not expire if you get a new passport.
What is the Temporary Evidence Stamp Fee?
The USCIS I-551, a temporary evidence issued stamp in your passport, does not have a fee. Again, this is for both walk-in and appointment services.
Will my employer accept Form I-551 as a valid I-9 document?
They should as long as it is valid. The MRIV and the stamp together are List A documents to prove your identity and work authorization. Learn more about Form I-9 acceptable documents.
Can I Travel with an I-551 Stamp?
Yes, you can travel with your I-551 stamp on your passport. The stamp serves as a temporary verification of your U.S. permanent resident status. However, you should know that the stamp has an expiration date. If your stamp expires and you go abroad, you may have difficulties re-entering the U.S. For this reason, you should pay close attention to when your stamp will be out of date before you make any travel plans.
Where is the stamp placed?
USCIS places the stamp in your passport.
What happens when the stamp expires?
At that point, you need to be able to provide the official green card. You should expect to receive the 10-year permanent resident card within 45 days after arriving in the U.S. and paying the USCIS immigrant fee. Contact USCIS if you have not received it within this window at 1-800-375-5283.
What is an ADIT stamp (Alien Documentation, Identification, and Telecommunication systems)?
This is the same as the I-551 stamp while waiting for a green card. The stamp indicates your status as a lawful permanent resident, your date of admission, and the date of expiration of your temporary I-551 stamp. This, along with the MRIV, proves your status for no more than one year from your date of entry into the United States. Essentially, these two symbols allow you to live in the U.S. as if you had an official green card for the duration they are valid (1 year).
Learn more about Alien Registration Number.
Who is eligible for a permanent I-551?
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens are eligible, as are refugees, asylum seekers, individuals who meet the employment-based category criteria, and Diversity Visa lottery winners.
- If you are an asylum seeker, there is no limit on the number of green cards issued annually in this category.
- For immigration purposes, foreign nationals who marry a U.S. citizen are immediate relatives. If you marry a U.S. citizen, they can file for an I-551 on your behalf.
Why is someone granted a temporary I-551?
USCIS would grant someone temporary status if they are a lawful permanent resident or green card holder awaiting their renewal; those with a pending I-90, and those waiting for an I-751 (permanent resident status via marriage).
How much does Form I-551 permanent resident card cost?
There is no fee explicitly for a temporary I-551. However, if you’ve lost your green card, you will need to file a Form I-90, and the cost is $415 for online filing or $465 for paper filing.
What is the difference between green card renewal and replacement?
To start with, 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 the card expires. You must file the petition for renewal 90 days before the expiration of the conditional green card. 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.
- Suppose your conditional resident status was based on an entrepreneur or investor green card. In that case, 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.
What are the best ways to obtain an I-551 stamp?
There are several ways a foreign national can come to the United States, obtain an I-551 stamp, and become a permanent resident. You can achieve this by applying for an immigrant visa and becoming eligible for an I-551 when you enter the United States.
The other route is through a nonimmigrant visa with the dual intent option (e.g., H-1B visa to a green card). Once you have a dual intent nonimmigrant status, you can apply to adjust your status to an immigrant visa, which will lead to a permanent residency in the U.S.
Regardless of the route you take, once you are successful with the application, you will receive an I-551 stamp on your foreign passport indicating your lawful permanent resident status.
How VisaNation Law Group Can Help You Obtain an I-551 Stamp
Immigration law is complicated, and the consequences of mistakes can be devastating. For example, an expired green card is problematic if you don’t obtain an I-551 temporary evidence stamp. The best way to handle this is to avoid the situation altogether and renew your green card on time. However, if you need a temporary evidence stamp, hiring an immigration attorney can go a long way in helping.
Schedule a consultation with VisaNation Law Group’s immigration attorneys for a private discussion of your specific case. They’ll walk you through what you need to know to apply for a temporary evidence stamp on time.
