Green Card Renewal Applicants May No Longer Need To Visit a USCIS Application Support Center for an I-551 Stamp
By: Dayna Lally, Esq.[i]
On January 12, 2021, the USCIS issued an alert addressing its change in policy in regards to I-551 stamps.
Beginning in January, green card renewal applicants may no longer need to visit an application support center to obtain temporary proof of their LPR status, i.e., an I-551 stamp.[ii]
Instead, a revised Form I-797, Notice of Action, when presented together with the expired green card, will extend the green card’s validity for 12 months from the date on the front of the green card.[iii]
This new policy will ensure that lawful permanent residents with recently expired green cards have:
- Documentation of identity;
- Employment authorization; and
- Authorization to return to the U.S. after temporary foreign travel.[iv]
Green Card Lawyer
If you would like assistance preparing a green card application or green card renewal form, contact green card lawyer, Dayna Lally, at [email protected], or call Lally Immigration Services, LLC at (617) 870-1000.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only. Consult with an immigration lawyer with your specific questions or concerns.
[i] Dayna Lally is a green card lawyer and the owner of Lally Immigration Services, LLC. She assists individuals in the green card application process by preparing green card applications and green card renewals.
[ii] See: https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-to-replace-sticker-that-extends-validity-of-green-cards.
[iii] Id.
[iv] Id.
