USCIS To Issue New, Redesigned Green Cards and Employment Authorization Documents (EADs)

As of May 1, 2017, Permanent Resident Cards (Green Cards) and the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) will have a new look. As part of the Next Generation Secure Identification Document Project, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services began issuing redesigned Green Cards and EADs. The goal of the project is to enhance the security of these documents by including more fraud-resistant security features to make the new versions highly secure and more tamper-resistant.

THE NEW LOOK:

The new Green Cards and EADs will:

• Display the individual’s photo on both sides;
• Have a specific color and image:
  • Green Cards are mainly green and show an image of the Statue of Liberty;
  • EADs are mainly red and show an image of a bald eagle;
• Contain holographic images; and
• No longer show the individual’s signature.

Note: Only Green Cards will no longer have an optical stripe on the back.

WHY DOESN’T MY NEW CARD LOOK NEW?

Not all Green Cards and EADs will have the new design. Some Green Cards and EADs issued after May 1, 2017, will still have the old design because the USCIS wants to use all the existing supply. No need to worry – both types of cards, new and old design, will remain valid through the expiration date shown on the cards.

WHAT IF MY CARD DOES NOT HAVE AN EXPIRATION DATE?

Some older green cards that do not have expiration dates will remain valid. However, to help reduce the chance of fraud or tampering should your card become lost or stolen, USCIS encourages you to consider applying for a replacement card.

• If you would like to apply for a replacement card, the fastest and easiest way to prepare your Green Card Renewal application package online is with Road to Status.It is free to create your account and give the application preparation software a try (you only pay at the end if you like the service and want to use the application you completed using the software to send to USCIS)