Understanding Form I-551: Permanent Resident Cards & Temporary Stamps

The immigration process in the United States is accompanied by various challenges — especially when it comes to different documents such as Green Cards and temporary stamps like I-551.

We will explain the difference between I-551 and temporary I-551 stamps clarifying who is eligible and when each of them can be used.

Additionally, we will answer common questions about I-551 and share how The Law Offices of Spar & Bernstein can make your immigration journey less stressful.

Bradford H. Bernstein

This article was written and reviewed by Bradford H. Bernstein, a second-generation leader at Law Offices of Spar & Bernstein, P.C., who has helped over 100,000 clients with immigration and personal injury issues. Brad joined the firm in 1993, became a partner in 1997, and assumed leadership in 2000 after Harry Spar retired.

View Brad's Bio

Bradford H. Bernstein

What Is Form I-551?

Form I-551 is a document confirming your lawful permanent resident status in the United States. Known as a Green Card, it serves as an official identification allowing you to:

• Live in the U.S.
• Work in the country
• Travel and re-enter the U.S. after short international trips
• Identify yourself when opening a bank account, apply for a driver’s license, enroll in educational programs, and access government services and benefits

The designation “Form I-551″ can be found on the back side of your Green Card near the top left corner.

Typically, the validity of I-551 is 10 years. (A Conditional Green Card has a validity of 2 years). The card must be renewed before it expires.

The name “Green Card” comes from the green color of the original document introduced in 1940. Over the following decades, the color underwent different changes including blue and pink, eventually returning to green in 2010.

Who Is Eligible For I-551?

There are several categories of individuals who have the right to apply for a Green Card including:

• Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens such as spouses, children, and parents
• Family members of lawful permanent residents such as spouses and children
• Employment-based immigrants in specific job categories or ones that have extraordinary skills in fields like arts, science, education, and business
• People who have received asylum or refugee status
• Individuals from specific countries and ethnic groups who have won the Diversity Visa Lottery

Form I-551: Application Process

What does the process of becoming a lawful permanent resident look like? Here is a concise breakdown of the steps you must take.

1. Determine Eligibility

Check if you belong to one of the categories that qualify for a Green Card depending on your case specifics.

2. File A Petition

Ask the sponsoring family member or employer to file a petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on your behalf.

This can include:

• Form I-130, Petition for Alien relative, if you are applying for a family-based Green Card
• Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, if you are seeking an employment-based Green Card
• Other forms depending on the eligibility category

3. Wait For A Visa Number To Become Available

There is a visa readily available to you if you are an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen.

Other categories have annual visa limits and must wait for a visa number to become available. Waiting times can vary depending on the category.

4. File For An Adjustment Of Status Or Go Through Consular Processing

• If you are in the U.S., submit Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
• If you are outside the U.S., go through consular processing at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy in your home country.

5. Attend A Biometrics Appointment

Go to a biometrics appointment scheduled by USCIS to provide your signature, photo, and fingerprints.

6. Attend An Interview

Go to an interview where a USCIS officer will review your case and eligibility.

7. Receive A Decision

Wait for USCIS’ notification regarding the final adjudication of your case.

• If your application is approved and you are applying in the U.S., you will receive your physical Green Card (I-551) by mail.
• If you are applying from outside the U.S., you will get an immigrant visa in your passport.

What Is A Temporary I-551?

A temporary I-551 serves as proof that you have been granted permanent resident status but have not yet received your physical Green Card.

If you have applied for a Green Card outside the U.S. and your application has been approved, you may receive a machine-readable immigrant visa (MRIV) from the U.S. Consulate or Embassy in your home country.

The MRIV represents encoded data that can be scanned electronically, facilitating immigration officials to access and verify your information.

It will be placed in your passport and will read “Upon endorsement serves as temporary I-551 evidencing permanent residence for 1 year.”

When you arrive in the U.S. a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will check your MRIV and put a stamp in your passport, showing:

• The date you were admitted to the U.S.
• Your temporary status as a lawful permanent resident
• The date when your temporary I-551 expires

The temporary I-551 gives you the same rights and privileges as the physical Green Card.

Typically, you will receive the physical Green Card within 45 days of your arrival to the U.S.

Who Is Eligible For A Temporary I-551?

People who have the right to a temporary I-551 stamp include:

• New immigrants who have been granted lawful permanent residency and are still awaiting the physical document
• Green Card holders whose Green Cards have been stolen, lost, or damaged
• Permanent residents who are waiting their Green Card to be renewed
• Conditional permanent residents who have applied for removal of conditions and need proof of their legal status

When Can You Use A Temporary I-551 Stamp?

A temporary I-551 can be used in different scenarios requiring proof of your legal status.

Here are some examples:

You Are Applying For A Job Before Receiving Your Physical Green Card

You can use your temporary I-551 as valid proof for work authorization.

The MRIV along with the stamp serve as List A Documents, meaning you can begin employment without the physical Green Card.

Even if the MRIV does not state “For one year,” employers should accept that it is valid for 12 months from your arrival date in the United States.

Your Green Card Was Lost Or Stolen

Imagine someone has stolen your Green Card or you have lost it.

To obtain a new document, you need to:

• Go to your local police station to report your Green Card as lost or stolen and get a report
• File Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
• Schedule an appointment with USCS
• Gather the necessary documents to bring to your appointment, including:
  – A valid passport
  – A copy of the lost or stolen Green Card
  – Confirmation of paid fees
  – Two photos (check out Green Card photo requirements)

USCIS will issue a temporary I-551 stamp in your passport, confirming your status until your new Green Card arrives.

You can use the temporary I-551 as proof of status in urgent situations such as traveling abroad or renewing your driver’s license.

You Need To Renew Your Green Card

If your Green Card has expired or is approaching its expiration date, you will need to follow the same process of filing Form I-90.

You will wait for approximately 26 months to receive your Green Card, as per USCIS’s case processing tool.

Find more on the Green Card renewal fee and process in our extensive guide.

Need Help With Form I-551? Schedule A Consultation

The Law Offices of Spar & Bernstein provide extensive legal support for those who are facing challenges with the difficult process of filing USCIS immigration forms, including I-551.

• If you need help applying for a Green Card, our experienced lawyers will guide you through every step of the process, from consulting you on eligibility criteria to filing your petition and gathering supporting documents.
• If you need proof of permanent residency for employment, travel, or other urgent situations and have not yet received your physical Green Card, our expert immigration team will help you obtain a temporary I-551 stamp.
• If your Green Card has expired or has been lost or stolen, our knowledgeable attorneys will file Form I-90 on your behalf, ensuring all requirements are met.

Contact Spar & Bernstein to simplify your immigration journey.

Form I-551: FAQs

Below, you’ll find answers to frequently asked questions about Form I-551.

What is the difference between a Green Card and temporary I-551?

A Green Card is the physical document showing you are a U.S. lawful permanent resident. Its validity is 10 years typically, 2 years if it’s a Conditional Green Card. A temporary I-551 comes in the form of a stamp or sticker and is placed in your passport to confirm you are waiting for your physical Green Card. Its validity is up to one year.

Can I work with a temporary I-551?

Yes, a temporary I-551proves you are a lawful permanent resident and gives you the right to work in the U.S.

Can I travel abroad with a temporary I-551 stamp?

Yes, you can travel abroad with a temporary I-551. However, ensure it remains valid throughout your trip to avoid any re-entry issues when returning to the U.S.

What should I do if my temporary I-551 expires before I get my Green Card?

If you see that your temporary I-551 is about to expire, contact USCIS and request an extension or another temporary stamp. This will help you verify your legal status until you get your Green Card.

Can I use a temporary I-551 to re-enter the U.S. after extended travel abroad?

Yes, you can use your temporary I-551 to re-enter the country. However, it is important that you notify USCIS if you plan to travel for an extended period.

What should I do if my temporary I-551 stamp expires while I am still outside the U.S.?

If your temporary I-551 stamp expires while you are abroad, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate to discuss re-entry options, as this may require additional steps on your part.