The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has made a significant update pertaining to the validity extension of Green Cards, as announced on the official USCIS website. The reform, which is expected to streamline and reinforce the green card renewal process, extends the validity period for Form I-551 (Permanent Resident Card), from 18 months to a new duration of 36 months. This modification applies to the ‘ADIT stamp’—the filed passport stamp issued for green card renewals or replacements as temporary proof of lawful permanent resident status during the waiting period.
As immigration attorneys, it is crucial to be aware of the alterations made in immigration policies and their implications. In the past, USCIS approved the extension requests by placing an I-551 stamp in the applicants’ passports, rendering the green card valid for an additional 18 months. However, given the recent extensions, the period of validity for these stamps has been extended, providing applicants with a validity of up to 36 months.
The USCIS justifies these changes by citing the objective to ensure that Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) can maintain evidence of their immigration status, as well as their authorization to work and travel while waiting for their renewals or replacements.
Before this reform, the validity extension period of 18 months had invariably been causing inconvenience to many aliens particularly due to COVID-19 related operational obstacles and delays. The said administrative difficulties sometimes even led to the expiration of the provisional validity before their renewal applications were fully processed, bringing about needless anxiety and hardship.
With this new provision, LPRs waiting for the USCIS to process their green card renewals or replacements will no longer face frequent renewals of their ADIT stamp and can thus stay, work, and travel with less stress and more assurance. This extension will also mitigate the COVID-19 influenced slow-down in processing times and alleviate the burden on those trying to maintain their lawful status in the United States.
This development reflects the continuing commitment of USCIS to improve its services and address the challenges faced by green card holders, demonstrating the critical role immigration attorneys play in aiding clients to navigate these changes. We recommend LPRs seeking a green card renewal or replacement to seek legal counsel to ensure the correct interpretation and application of these immigration policy updates.
It is anticipated that the new rule will provide substantial relief to those impacted by the backlog, including LPRs waiting for USCIS to process their renewal or replacement applications. USCIS has once again reinforced its commitment to uphold efficiency, minimize inconveniences, and provide a smoother experience for LPRs through this positive change.
Acknowledgment: This article is based on the information provided by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) news update on its official website. (https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-extends-green-card-validity-extension-to-36-months-for-green-card-renewals)
