The article discusses the automatic 24 months green card validity extension. Starting on Dec. 12, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will automatically extend the validity of Permanent Resident Cards, also known as Green Cards for U.S. permanent residents who have already applied to become U.S. citizens.
The new policy will update language on the receipt notice for Form N-400 Application for Naturalization in order to extend green card validity for up to 24 months. During the 24-months following the receipt date on the citizenship application, the naturalization applicant will be able to use the receipt notice together with the expired Green Card to show legal status in the U.S., for employment authorization and as an ID.
Prior to the new policy, naturalization applicants had to file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, if their green cards expired within 6 months of applying for citizenship. Those who applied for US citizenship six months or more before their green card expiration were eligible to receive an Alien Documentation, Identification, and Telecommunications (ADIT) stamp in their passport, which served as temporary evidence of their permanent resident status. The new policy improves efficiency at the USCIS by reducing the number of ADIT stamp appointments in field offices around the country.
The green card extension policy affects only those who apply for U.S. citizenship by filing Form N-400 on or after Dec. 12, 2022. For permanent residents who filed for US citizenship prior to December 12, 2022, they will still have to follow the old policy and either file Form I-90 or receive an ADIT stamp in their passport.
Green card holders who lose their Green Card generally must still file Form I-90, even if they have applied for naturalization and received the automatic extension under this updated policy.
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