The Complete Guide to the I-551 Stamp

You must obtain an I-551 stamp if you have applied for Permanent Residence and have not yet received your Green Card, or if your Green Card is about to expire and you are renewing it. Find out more about the I-551 stamp by clicking here.

Form I-551, also known as a Green Card, verifies that foreign nationals have been granted permanent residency in the United States. Green Card holders are allowed to stay and work in the United States indefinitely.

You must obtain an I-551 stamp if you have applied for Permanent Residence and have not yet received your Green Card, or if your Green Card is about to expire and you are renewing it.

Continue reading to learn more about the I-551 stamp application process.

What is an I-551 stamp, and what does it mean?

An I-551 stamp is a temporary evidence stamp that verifies a foreign national’s permanent resident status. Nonimmigrants who are authorized to live and work permanently in the United States must maintain a valid Green Card at all times. Green Cards are valid for a period of ten years.

A renewal card must be issued when a permanent resident card expires, or when it is lost or stolen. Foreign nationals must utilize Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card) to renew or replace their Green Cards with the USCIS. US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can take up to six months to process and approve Form I-90.

Permanent residents who have applied for a renewal Green Card but have yet to receive it must get an I-551 stamp. This stamp serves as temporary proof that foreign nationals are authorized to live and work in the United States while their Green Cards are being renewed or replaced. The stamp is issued by USCIS and is placed in a valid passport of a permanent resident.

When a new immigrant arrives in the United States for the first time, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issues a machine-readable immigrant visa (MRIV). This admission stamp is placed in an immigrant’s passport and indicates the person’s status as a lawful permanent resident. It also shows the date on which the new immigrant was admitted to the US.

“Upon endorsement, serves as temporary I-551 evidencing permanent residence for 1 year,” an MRIV will typically state. An MRIV on a passport indicates the individual’s permanent residence status for a period of one year from the date of admission to the country.

When do you need an I-551 stamp?

When a permanent resident’s Green Card expires, their permanent resident card is lost, stolen, or damaged, or if any of the information on the document needs to be updated, an I-551 stamp may be required (e.g., the name needs to be changed as a result of marriage or an address change).

Permanent residents have the legal right to live and work in the United States indefinitely, but they must have a valid, unexpired Green Card. An I-551 stamp, for example, proves to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officials that a permanent resident is authorized to enter the country if their Green Card expires while they are abroad. An I-551 temporary evidence stamp is required if a foreign national wishes to apply for a job or a driver’s license before receiving an initial or renewal Green Card.

When should you get an I-551 stamp?

Permanent residents can start the Green Card renewal process by submitting a Form I-90 (Application to Renew Permanent Resident Card) to USCIS six months before the document’s expiration date. When their card expires, or if it is lost, stolen, or damaged, they can also file a Form I-90.

When a permanent resident’s Green Card is about to expire or has already expired, or when their Green Card has been lost, stolen, or damaged, or when the information on the document needs to be changed, they can get an I-551 stamp. A permanent resident must first complete and file Form I-90 in order to obtain a temporary evidence stamp.

Where can I get an I-551 stamp?

Permanent residents can get an I-551 stamp at their local USCIS office. They must make an InfoPass appointment with USCIS, which can be done through the USCIS website.

Applications can also be submitted by mail or in person at a local USCIS office; however, scheduling an InfoPass appointment is recommended because it is usually the most convenient option.

For an I-551 stamp, what documents are required?

Permanent residents of the United States must submit the following documents as well as proof of their immigration status and identity to obtain an I-551 temporary evidence stamp:

• A valid passport is required.
• An appointment notice for InfoPass that can be printed from the USCIS website (if applicable)
• Notice of receipt of Form I-90 (issued by USCIS)
• Proof of residency in the USCIS office’s jurisdiction
• a copy of the applicant’s Green Card that he or she is attempting to replace (if available)
• A copy of a date-stamped ASC appointment notice demonstrating the collection of biometrics (if applicable)

A permanent resident requesting an I-551 stamp may be asked to provide additional documentation demonstrating their need for a temporary evidence stamp in the event of an emergency, such as the death of a family member in another country or the need for a medical procedure in another country.

Permanent residents may provide a copy of a deceased family member’s death certificate, an appointment with a doctor abroad, or information for a booked flight to prove an emergency situation.

Inquiries to the USCIS website can be made to find out exactly what documentation is required for an I-551 stamp.

What is the cost of an I-551 stamp?

Although the I-551 temporary proof stamp is free, Form I-90 costs $455. If a biometrics appointment is needed, there is an additional $85 fee in addition to the $455 fee for Form I-90.

What is the validity of an I-551 stamp?

The validity of an I-551 provisional proof of permanent resident status is normally six to one year. The validity period varies and is determined by the individual’s unique circumstances.

The validity of a stamp is also affected by the expiration date on an applicant’s passport. If the applicant’s passport is only valid for two months, the I-551 stamp would most likely be valid for the same amount of time.

The Takeaway

If a foreign national’s Green Card is being renewed or reissued, an I-551 temporary evidence stamp acts as proof of their permanent resident status in the United States. To get your I-551 stamp as soon as possible, you must fill out the correct forms and follow the proper procedure.

Visit Nova Credit’s resource library for more information on navigating your new life in the United States, where you can learn about anything from renting an apartment to obtaining the right credit cards for non-citizens.