The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has announced that lawful permanent residents may receive temporary evidence of their lawful permanent resident status by mail rather than having to physically visit a field office to receive an Alien Documentation, Identification and Telecommunication (“ADIT”) stamp (also known as an I-551 stamp).
Lawful permanent residents are entitled to evidence of status and may require temporary evidence of their status in the form of an ADIT stamp if:
- They do not have their Green Card; or
- Their Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (“Green Card”), Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, or Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, is still pending adjudication and their Green Card and extension notice has expired.
Oddly, this announcement does not apply to EB-5 investor lawful permanent residents who have filed Form I-829, Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status.
When lawful permanent residents call the USCIS Contact Center to request temporary evidence of status, an immigration services officer will verify their identity, physical mailing address, and whether that address can receive UPS or FedEx express mail. They will then either schedule an in-person appointment for the lawful permanent resident, if needed, or submit a request to the USCIS Field Office to issue the ADIT stamp. If an in-person appointment is not needed, the USCIS Field Office will mail a Form I-94 with ADIT stamp, DHS seal, and a printed photo of the lawful permanent resident obtained from USCIS systems. The USCIS has the discretion to determine the validity period of the ADIT stamp based on the lawful permanent resident’s situation (not to exceed one year, unless specified otherwise by regulation or policy).
Some lawful permanent residents will still need to appear in person at a USCIS Field Office to receive temporary evidence of their status, including those who have urgent needs, do not have a usable photo in USCIS systems, or whose address or identity cannot be confirmed.
The new process will allow USCIS to issue temporary evidence of lawful permanent resident status in a timely way without requiring a scheduled appointment at the field office, thereby reducing the burden on applicants and increasing availability of Field Office resources.
If you have questions about U.S. visas or immigration, contact us at info@enterlinepartners.com and speak with a U.S. immigration attorney in Ho Chi Minh City, Manila and Taipei.
Quick Summary: ADIT Stamp and Mail Delivery Process
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is an ADIT stamp? | Temporary evidence of LPR status (I-551 / Alien Documentation Identification and Telecommunication stamp) |
| Who needs one? | LPRs without a currently valid green card who have a qualifying pending petition |
| Which petitions qualify? | Form I-90 (green card renewal), Form I-751 (remove marriage conditions), Form N-400 (naturalization) |
| Does Form I-829 qualify? | No: I-829 (EB-5 investor) is explicitly excluded from this process |
| Can it be received by mail? | Yes: if eligible; call the USCIS Contact Center to request |
| Who must still visit a field office? | Those with urgent needs, no photo on file in USCIS systems, or who cannot confirm address or identity by phone |
| Validity period? | No more than 1 year (USCIS determines based on individual circumstances) |
| Delivery carrier? | UPS or FedEx express courier |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an ADIT stamp and when do lawful permanent residents need one?
An ADIT stamp (I-551 stamp, Alien Documentation Identification and Telecommunication stamp) is temporary evidence of lawful permanent resident status issued by USCIS when an LPR does not have a currently valid green card but has a qualifying petition pending. It is used as proof of LPR status for employment verification (Form I-9), banking, driver’s license applications and other government purposes while waiting for a replacement or renewed green card.
Which pending petitions qualify for the ADIT stamp mail delivery process?
Three petition types qualify: Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card), Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence for conditional LPRs through marriage), and Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization). Importantly, Form I-829 (Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status for EB-5 investors) is not included in this process; this is a specific and notable exception that USCIS made explicit in its announcement.
How do I request an ADIT stamp by mail?
Call the USCIS Contact Center and request temporary evidence of permanent residence status. A Contact Center representative will verify your identity, your physical mailing address and whether that address can receive UPS or FedEx courier delivery. If you meet the eligibility criteria, the representative will submit a request to the USCIS Field Office to issue the stamp by mail. USCIS will then send you a stamped Form I-94 with the ADIT notation, a DHS seal and a printed photo drawn from USCIS’s own records. If an in-person appointment is determined to be necessary instead, one will be scheduled.
How long is an ADIT stamp valid?
USCIS determines the validity period on a case-by-case basis depending on the LPR’s specific circumstances, but the stamp may not exceed one year in validity unless another law or policy provides otherwise. The ADIT stamp is temporary evidence only; once a replacement or renewed green card is received, the stamp is no longer needed.
Why are EB-5 investors with a pending Form I-829 not eligible for this process?
USCIS did not provide an explicit explanation for this exclusion in its announcement. EB-5 investors with a pending Form I-829 who need temporary evidence of their LPR status should follow a different process. If you are an EB-5 investor with a pending I-829 and need proof of your permanent resident status for any purpose, consulting an EB-5 immigration attorney for case-specific guidance is strongly recommended.
Copyright 2023. This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. This article may be changed with or without notice. The opinions expressed in this article are those of Enterline and Partners only.
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Copyright 2023. This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. This article may be changed with or without notice. The opinions expressed in this article are those of Enterline and Partners only.
