Types of USCIS Documents 448-01-50-55-35

(Revised 5/1/19 ML #3546)  

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Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card

 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issues the Form I-551, Permanent Resident card to lawful permanent residents or conditional permanent residents. All USCIS-issued Permanent Resident cards contain two-year or 10-year expiration dates. However, some documents issued by legacy Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) – such as older versions of the Resident Alien card issued from 1977 to 1989 - do not have expiration dates and may still be valid.

Cards that have no expiration date or have a 10-year expiration date are issued to lawful permanent residents with no conditions on their status. If you encounter a Form I-551 with a 10- year expiration date that has expired, it does not necessarily mean the applicant is no longer a permanent resident, it may simply mean the card must be renewed. Conditional permanent residents are issued a Form I-551 that expires after two years and they must file a petition to remove the conditions on residence. If approved, they will be issued a new Form I-551 as a lawful permanent resident. If they fail to remove the conditions on residence, their permanent resident status is terminated. The expiration of the Form I-551 does not necessarily mean the individual is out of status. The individual may have applied for example, to remove the conditions and not yet received their new Permanent Resident card or lost their new Permanent Resident card and can only provide the expired Conditional Resident card.

The Form I-688 (Temporary Resident Card) is not evidence of lawful permanent resident status. This document was issued by INS to individuals who were granted Temporary Resident status under Section 210 or Section 245A of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The Form I-668 is no longer issued and is obsolete. Many individuals who were issued Form I-688 may have become lawful permanent residents and should have a Form I-551 showing their status. You will need the following information to verify the immigration status of an applicant who provides a Form I- 551:

 

Form I-551 (current version)

The current version of the Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551, introduced in 2010, uses the term “USCIS #” instead of the more familiar “A#” to indicate the permanent resident’s Alien Number. They have the same meaning. The reverse side of the card still refers to it as “A#”.

 

Form I-551 (2004 version)

 

This version of the Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551, introduced in 2004, is valid for ten years from the date of issuance. It is also the first version of Form I-551 branded with the Department of Homeland Security as the issuing authority.

 

 

Form I-551 (2004 version)

 

 

Form I-551 (1997 version)

 

Introduced in 1997, the Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551, is the first version of the Form I-551 to be entitled “Permanent Resident Card.” This version of the Permanent Resident Card was issued to lawful permanent residents and was valid for ten years from the date of issuance. It was also issued to conditional permanent residents, and retained the two-year expiration period of its predecessor for these cardholders. This and prior versions of Form I-551 were branded with the U.S. Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service, as the issuing authority.

 

 

Form I-551 (1997 version)

 

Form I-551, Resident Alien Card

 

 

The Resident Alien Card preceded the Permanent Resident Card and was issued by the INS from 1977 to 1997. The predecessor to the Resident Alien Card, Form I-151, was also called “Alien Registration Receipt Card,” but the Form I-151 is no longer valid.

 

Form I-551 (1989/1992 Version)

 

 

This version of the Resident Alien Card, Form I-551, was introduced by the INS in August 1989 and modified in January 1992 when a white box was added behind the fingerprint. The version pictured below was the first residence card to contain an expiration date. These cards were usually valid for ten years from the date of issuance. Resident Alien Cards do NOT have card numbers.

 

Form I-551 (1989/1992 Version)

 

 

Form I-551 (1977 Version)

 

 

The Resident Alien Card, Form I-551, issued from January 1977 to August 1989 (pictured below) does not contain an expiration date or card number and is valid indefinitely. If a benefit applicant presents this version of the Resident Alien Card, see Appendix A for guidance on what you should enter into the card number field in the SAVE System.

 

 

Form I-551 (1977 Version)

 

Form I-551, Permanent Resident Stamp

 

 

USCIS and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issue the I-551 stamp to lawful permanent residents or conditional permanent residents. Sometimes, if no foreign passport is available, the I-551 stamp may be placed on a Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, and a photograph of the bearer is affixed to the form. The I-551 stamp is valid until the expiration date stated on the stamp.

 

You will need the following information to verify the immigration status of an applicant who provides an I-551 stamp:

 

 

I-551 Stamp (current version)

 

 

I-551 Stamp (older version)

 

 

 

Form I-551, Machine Readable Immigrant Visa (MRIV)

 

 

The U.S. Department of State issues the MRIV overseas to lawful permanent or conditional permanent residents, and is valid as evidence of such status for one year from the admission date. The MRIV is affixed directly on a page of the individual’s foreign passport.

 

You will need the following information to verify the immigration status of an applicant who provides a Form I-551 MRIV:

 

 

I-551 MRIV

 

 

 

 

Form I-571, Refugee Travel Document

 

USCIS issues the Form I-571 to refugees/asylees and lawful permanent residents who adjusted from refugee/asylee status. The Form I-571 is valid for only one year and may not be extended. However, expiration of the Form I-571 does not mean the applicant is out of status. A refugee or asylee may have other immigration documents, such as Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, or Form I-766, Employment Authorization Card.

 

You will need the following information to verify the immigration status of an applicant who provides a Form I-571:

 

 

I-571 (current version)

 

 

 

 

Form I-766 Employment Authorization Document

 

 

USCIS issues the Form I-766 to specific classes of aliens as evidence of their employment authorization in the United States. These aliens include, but are not limited to, applicants for adjustment of status, refugees/asylees, individuals with Temporary Protected Status, individuals who have been granted deferred action, including the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, and F-1 students who have completed their studies and are approved for Optional Practical Training.

 

The expiration date is located at the bottom of the card. Although it does not relate to immigration status verification, many cards are marked “NOT VALID FOR REENTRY” and are used solely for employment, but others may show “VALID FOR REENTRY” or “SERVES AS I-512 ADVANCE PAROLE,” which means they may be used as travel documents to seek re-entry to the United States.

 

You will need the following information to verify the immigration status of an applicant who provides a Form I-766:

 

 

 

I-776 (current version, 2011; older version, 2004)

 

 

*Note: Forms I-688A (issued to applicants for immigration benefits under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986) and Forms I-688B (predecessor to Form I-766) are older employment authorization documents. They are no longer issued and have now expired or have been replaced by the Form I-766. Many individuals who were issued these documents may have become lawful permanent residents or naturalized U.S. citizens and should have a current document showing their status.

 

 

 

 

Forms N-550 or N-570, Certificate of Naturalization

 

USCIS issues the Form N-550 to those persons born abroad who have become citizens of the United States through the naturalization process.

 

The N-570 is a replacement certificate issued when the original is lost, mutilated or destroyed, or the individual’s name has legally changed. USCIS and its predecessor the INS have issued a number of versions of this document type. Some of the earlier versions may not have an Alien Number and many do not have security features that have been added over the years. Accordingly, the absence of these features does not mean the document is not valid.

 

You will need the following information to verify the citizenship status of an applicant who provides a Form I-550 or N-570:

 

 

N-550 (current, 2010 version; older versions)

 

 

 

 

Form N-560 or N-561, Certificate of Citizenship

 

USCIS issues the Form N-560 to persons born outside the United States and who: (a) derived citizenship through the naturalization of their parent(s); (b) derived citizenship through adoption by U.S. citizen parents, provided certain conditions were met; or (c) acquired citizenship at birth because they were born abroad to U.S. citizen parent(s). It is also issued to certain legally qualified natives and/or residents of the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands who were granted U.S. citizenship by operation of law. Unlike a Certificate of Naturalization, the Certificate of Citizenship is not automatically issued to all those who qualify. To receive a Certificate of Citizenship, the individual or someone acting on behalf of the individual (for example., U.S. citizen parent or legal guardian) must apply for it. It is not uncommon for individuals not to have a Certificate of Citizenship even though they are U.S. citizens.

 

The Form N-561 is a replacement Certificate of Citizenship issued when the original is lost, mutilated, or destroyed or the individual’s name has legally changed.

 

You will need the following information to verify the citizenship status of an applicant who provides a Form N-560 or N-561:

 

 

N-560 (current version, 2011; older version)

 

 

 

Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record

 

 

The Form I-94, in either paper or electronic format, is the DHS Arrival/Departure Record issued to aliens. CBP, USCIS and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issues the Form I-94 on various occasions including when a person is admitted or paroled into the United States, adjusting status while in the United States, or extending his or her stay.

 

The Form I-94 issued by CBP in paper format contains a stamp with an expiration date or notation of “D/S” for duration of status (e.g., F-1 students) or “indefinite” for individuals allowed to remain in the United States indefinitely (e.g., asylees). The Form I-94 will also indicate the person’s class of admission (COA).

 

Beginning on April 30, 2013, CBP ceased issuing the paper version of Form I-94 to air and sea travelers, except in limited circumstances (e.g., those inspected at secondary inspection, such as parolees and refugees). The air and sea traveler is now issued a CBP admission stamp on his or her travel document, usually a foreign passport. If, however, the traveler has entered the United States since May 1, 2009, he or she may obtain his or her admission number and Form I-94 record through www.cbp.gov/I94. CBP’s long term goal is to cease issuing Form I-94

 

You will need the following information from the Form I-94 to conduct your verification:

 

 

 

Different versions of Form I-94 may be issued by DHS agencies. Following are examples the various versions of Form I-94.

 

 

Form I-94: Issued by CBP before Automation at Air and Sea Ports of Entry

 

 

CBP issued this version of Form I-94 to air and sea travelers before April 30, 2013 – the date that the Form I-94 automation process started. The immigration status notation within the stamp on the card varies according to the status granted, e.g., L-1, F-1, J-1.

 

Form I-94 issued by CPB before Automation at Air and Sea Ports of Entry

 

 

Form I-94: Issued by CBP after Automation at Air and Sea Ports of Entry

 

 

After the automation of air and sea ports of entry, the Form I-94 pictured below is the version issued by CBP to special classes of aliens, such as Refugees, Derivative Asylees and Parolees, who are sent to secondary inspection at ports of entry.

 

 

Form I-94: Issued by CBP after Automation at Air and Sea Ports of Entry

 

 

Form I-94A: Issued by CBP at Land Border Ports of Entry

 

 

This is the version of the Form I-94 CBP issues at both northern and southern land border ports of entry.

 

 

Form I-94A issued by CBP at Land Border Ports of Entry

 

 

 

Global Entry Form I-94

 

 

The Global Entry (GE) kiosk is used to issue the below version of Form I-94. GE is a CBP program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States.

 

 

Global Entry Form I-94

 

 

 

CBP Form I-94 Website Printout

 

 

Individuals can access their electronic Form I-94 through the CBP I-94 website if they entered the United States after May 1, 2009. The Form I-94 website printout is an official Form I-94 and agencies can use it to verify immigration status. If CBP did not issue the applicant a paper Form I-94 due to the CBP automation initiative, SAVE can also verify immigration status by foreign passport. SAVE agencies should not refer applicants to retrieve their I-94 from the website if verification by foreign passport is possible. If attempts to verify status by foreign passport are not successful, the individual still has the option of retrieving the electronic I-94 number from the CBP website. If the applicant possesses both a current I-94 and a foreign passport, agencies should submit the verification request as a “Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) in Unexpired Foreign Passport” document type.

 

 

CBP Form I-94 Website Printout

 

 

Form I-94 in Form I-797A

 

 

USCIS issues Form I-94 as a tear-off document from Form I-797A, Notice of Action, to reflect an alien’s immigration status following an approved application for immigration benefits or an extension of stay. The Form I-797A may contain additional information regarding the immigration status granted, but the Form I-94 number in the Form I-797A may be verified through SAVE in the same manner as a regular Form I-94. USCIS only issues Form I-94 in paper format.

 

 

Form I-94 in Form I-797A

 

 

Note: For other versions of Form I-797, see “Notice of Actions” under Section 14. These versions of the form do not typically indicate an immigration status nor do they contain a tear-off Form I-94.

 

 

Form I-94 in Unexpired Foreign Passport

 

 

Upon an alien’s arrival at a U.S. port of entry, the CBP Officer may issue the alien a paper Form I-94 and place an admission stamp on the alien’s paper Form I-94. The officer then inserts and affixes the Form I-94 to the foreign passport. Most foreign travelers at sea and air ports of entry no longer receive a paper Form I-94; they receive, instead, only an admission stamp in their foreign passports. When a benefit applicant presents both a Form I-94 (whether issued by CBP or USCIS) and an unexpired foreign passport, SAVE encourages agencies to use this document type to verify the benefit applicant’s immigration status.

 

You will need the following information to verify the immigration status of an applicant who provides a Form I-94 in an unexpired foreign passport:

 

 

 

Form I-94 in Unexpired Foreign Passport

 

 

 

Unexpired Foreign Passport with Admission Stamp

 

When an alien is inspected upon arrival at a U.S. port of entry, a CBP Officer places a stamp in his or her passport and notes the date of admission, class of admission, and admitted until date. Some alien classifications have no “admitted to” date and for aliens admitted under one of these classifications, CBP writes “D/S” for “duration of status” or “indefinitely” on or near the admission stamp.

 

You will need the following information to verify the immigration status of an applicant who provides an unexpired foreign passport:

 

 

 

CBP Admission Stamp

 

 

 

 

APPENDIX A

 

Alien Number

 

Alien Numbers may also be referred to as Alien Registration Number, USCIS# and A number.

 

Not all Alien Numbers have nine (9) digits. If a document bears an A# with fewer than 9 digits, add in zeros in front of the number when you enter it in SAVE. Do not include the letter “A.”

 

 

A Certificate of Naturalization that has been issued prior to 1956, has a certificate number, but no alien/USCIS number. In this case, enter “000000000” in place of the alien/UISCIS number. This can also apply to older versions of the certificate of citizenship. If SAVE cannot verify status at initial verification, SAVE will provide an “Institute Additional Verification” (IAV) response.

 

 

Card Number

 

Resident Alien cards that were issued prior to August 1 1989, do NOT have a Card Number (samples below). When a benefit applicant provides a Resident Alien card without a Card Number, select “other” from the document type screen, instead of using the I-551 selection. In the other document description box, type “I-551, no card number.” If SAVE cannot verify status at initial verification, SAVE will provide an “Institute Additional Verification” (IAV) response.

 

 

Dates

 

Dates could be laid out in various ways. For example: August 27, 2013 could be seen as 08/27/2013, 08/27/13, 27AUG2013, and 082713.

 

For SAVE purposes, enter dates in the following format: MM/DD/YYYY.

 

 

Names

 

Enter the entire surname, including prefixes or name stems (without periods). Hyphenated names and names with apostrophes are allowed.

 

 

Ignore all suffixes such as Jr., Sr., III, etc.

 

 

Do not use periods.

 

 

Individuals from some cultures may use their surname first and their given name last.