USCIS Extends Green Card Validity for Naturalization Applicants
Posted on Friday, December 16, 2022
USCIS has issued new policy that automatically extends legal permanent resident (LPR) status 24 months for those with Form N-400 receipts dated December 12, 2022, or later. Under the new guidance, these applicants may present their expired green cards along with their receipts as valid, unexpired evidence of LPR status. As a result, except in cases where the applicant has lost his or her green card, qualifying applicants need not file Form I-90 while their N-400 applications are pending, even if their green cards expire. Further, unless they’ve lost their cards, applicants now filing will not need a stamp in their passports as proof of LPR status. During the 24-month extension period provided by a qualifying receipt, the expired card plus the receipt is both evidence of status and identity and employment authorization under List A of Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification).
Applicants for naturalization who have lost their Green Cards must still file Form I-90, regardless of the N-400 receipt date, as the law requires permanent residents 18 years and older to have the card in their possession as evidence of status.
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