USCIS to Issue Redesigned Green Cards and Employment Authorization Documents Starting May 1

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will redesign the Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) and the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) starting May 1, 2017. New cards will have enhanced graphics and fraud-resistant security features. The updates are part of an ongoing effort between USCIS, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enhance document security and deter counterfeiting and fraud.

New Green Cards and EADs Features:

• Display the individual’s photos on both sides
• Unique graphic images and color palettes
• Embedded holographic images
• No longer displays the individual’s signature
• Green cards will no longer have an optical stripe on the back

Guidelines to Determine if a Card Is Valid:

• Some Green Cards and EADs issued after May 1, 2017 may still display the existing design format during the transition. Either Green Card and EAD will remain valid until the expiration date on the card.
• Both versions are acceptable for Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, E-Verify, and Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE).
• Certain EADs have been automatically extended beyond the validity date on the card. To determine which EADs are covered, visit the Temporary Protected Status and American Competitiveness in the 21st Century Act pages on the USCIS site.
• Older Green Cards that do not have an expiration date remain valid, however those individuals should consider applying for a replacement card bearing an expiration date to reduce the risk of fraud.