If your I-751 has been pending for years, and USCIS still has not made a decision even after several case inquiries, you may feel like you are stuck in immigration limbo. And it can feel even worse if the 48-month extension on your receipt notice is about to expire soon.
So, in that case, what do you need to do now?
One option is to request temporary evidence of your permanent resident status from USCIS. This is commonly called an “ADIT stamp”, or temporary I-551 evidence.
But don’t get confused. An ADIT stamp does not make USCIS approve your I-751 any faster. It simply gives you current evidence showing that you are still a permanent resident while USCIS continues to review your case.
- You remain a permanent resident while Form I-751 is pending; the expired green card plus the 48-month extension notice usually serves as valid proof during that period.
- When the 48-month extension expires and you need proof for travel, employment, or agencies, request temporary ADIT stamp (I-551) evidence from USCIS.
- Request an ADIT stamp online or via the USCIS Contact Center; evidence may arrive by mail or in person and might need renewal if your I-751 remains pending.
When Do You Need an ADIT Stamp?
Before You Need an ADIT Stamp: The 48-Month Extension
You may not need an ADIT stamp immediately just because your physical green card expired.
For I-751 applicants, USCIS currently issues receipt notices that extend the validity of an expired conditional green card for 48 months. During that extension period, you can generally use the expired green card together with the I-751 receipt notice as evidence of your continued legitimate and valid permanent resident status.
When the 48-Month Extension Expires
An issue rises when that 48-month period also expires.
For example, maybe you need to travel outside the US. Or you are starting a new job and need an evidence proving your legitimate working status. You may also run into problems with a DMV, government agency, bank, or some other organization asking for valid proof of permanent residence.
That is when requesting temporary evidence from USCIS becomes important.
Again, an expired document does not necessarily mean that your immigration status has expired too. That is especially important with US permanent residency. The ADIT stamp is mainly about proving the status you already have.
How Do You Request and Receive an ADIT Stamp?
From InfoPass to Online ADIT Stamp Requests
Previously, many people associated an ADIT stamp with making an “InfoPass” appointment and going to a local USCIS office ( Anyone who dealt with InfoPass in a busy area such as New York City may remember how difficult it could be to find an open appointment slot.)
That process has been changed and is a little different now.
USCIS currently allows people inside USA to request an ADIT stamp appointment online through its appointment request system.
ADIT Stamp is specifically listed as one of the services that can be requested through this appointment page.
If the online tools do not solve the problem, you can also contact the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 and ask for assistance.
Information to Have Ready
When making the request, you should be ready with your basic immigration information, including your A-Number and I-751 number. You should also provide current/updated contact information because USCIS may need to contact you regarding the request.
Requesting an Appointment Does Not Guarantee a Time Slot
One thing that sometimes causes confusion is that requesting an appointment does not necessarily mean that you are immediately choosing a guaranteed appointment time.
USCIS reviews the request first. You may request a particular date and time, but USCIS does not guarantee that the requested time will be granted. USCIS may also contact you by phone or email to confirm information before scheduling an appointment.
Receiving Your ADIT Stamp by Mail
Here is some better news compared to the old procedure. You may not always need to physically go to a USCIS field office anymore. Depending on the situation, USCIS may decide that an in-person visit is not necessary.
In many cases, USCIS may review your request, call you to verify your information, and then have the local field office issue temporary evidence by mail.
Instead of putting an ADIT stamp directly in your passport, USCIS may mail you a Form I-94 with a temporary I-551 (ADIT) stamp, which can serve as temporary proof of your permanent resident status.
Attending an In-Person ADIT Appointment
If USCIS does schedule you for an in-person appointment, follow the instructions in the appointment notice carefully.
At the appointment, USCIS may place temporary I-551 evidence in your passport or provide other temporary documentation of your permanent resident status. USCIS has historically also used a stamped Form I-94 as temporary proof of status.
Check the Expiration Date on Your Temporary Evidence
Once you receive the temporary evidence, check the expiration date. Do not assume that it will remain valid until USCIS finally decides your I-751.
If your I-751 is still pending when the given ADIT stamp expires, you may have to request another ADIT stamp from USCIS. For very long-pending cases, some applicants end up doing this more than once.
What an ADIT Stamp Can and Cannot Do for Your I-751 Case
An I-751 case, that has been pending for many years, can create a tough situation for you. Even though you are still a permanent resident, the documents you normally use to prove your status have expired or are expiring soon.
That is what the ADIT stamp is for.
If your green card and I-751 extension notice are no longer sufficient evidence of your status, you can request temporary evidence from USCIS. The process can now start online, and became relatively easier than before.
Again, getting an ADIT stamp does not speed up your I-751 case, but it can save you a lot of trouble when you suddenly need to prove that you are still a permanent resident.
Get Help Requesting Your ADIT Stamp
Scott Legal, P.C. can help you prepare your ADIT stamp request, make sure USCIS has the information it needs, and plan around upcoming travel or employment verification while your I-751 remains pending. Contact our team to schedule a consultation.
