United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) announced today that, starting this month, the agency will no longer use the sticker issued to lawful permanent residents to extend the validity of their Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card, or “green card.” Instead, the agency will issue a revised Form I-797, Notice of Action, a change from previous procedure.
Now, when lawful permanent residents (LPRs) file Form I-90 to replace their expiring green cards, the revised Form I-797 notice will serve as a receipt notice for the Form I-90. Per USCIS, those filing Form I-90 can expect to receive the revised Form I-797 approximately 7-10 days after Form I-90 has been accepted by the agency. This will apply going forward to all Form I-90 applicants who possess a green card and have not yet been issued a biometrics notice. Applicants who have already been sent a biometrics appointment notice will still be issued an extension sticker at the appointment.
The revised Form I-797 notice, presented with the green card, will extend the green card’s validity for 12 months from the date listed on the green card, and will serve as temporary proof of status, ensuring that those with a recently expired green card will have uninterrupted identity documents, seamless employment authorization, and continued authorization to return to the United States following temporary travel abroad.