US Department of Justice
Immigration and Naturalization Service

Fact Sheet 03/20/96

Green Card Replacement Program Old I-151 Cards Expire March 20, 1996

Permanent resident aliens with an old Form I-151 "Green Card," issued before 1979, must obtain a new card, Form I-551 Alien Registration Receipt Card, to maintain evidence of resident status. The old Form I-151 will no longer be valid after March 20, 1996.

The INS is urging those lawful permanent residents, who are in need of the new card and have not yet applied, to do so as soon as possible to avoid any possible confusion about their legal permanent resident status after March 20, 1996.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I know if I need to replace my Green Card?

Permanent resident aliens holding an old Form I-151 Alien Registration Receipt Card ("Green Card") issued before 1979 -- must apply in person as soon as possible for a new card, Form I-1551 Alien Registration Receipt Card, to maintain proof of permanent resident status. The old Form I-151 Green Card will not be valid after March 20,1996. The replacement Green Card, Form I-551 Alien Registration Receipt Card, will contain the holder's picture, fingerprint and signature. It will positively identify the holder as a legal permanent resident and make it easier to obtain employment, social security and other public benefits, and to reenter the United States from abroad. The more secure I-551 has an expiration date and will need to be renewed every ten years. This will allow the INS to progressively improve card features and make the cards increasingly more difficult to counterfeit.

Will I lose my permanent resident status or will I be penalized if I have not yet applied for the new I-551 Green Card?

No, you will not lose your permanent resident status if you have not yet applied for a replacement Green Card, nor will you be penalized if you have not yet applied for the new card. However, lawful permanent residents are required by law to carry evidence of their status, and expired I-151s no longer meet this requirement.

A person can still apply after March 20, 1996, and should still apply as soon as possible for a replacement card to avoid difficulties in obtaining employment, entitlement benefits and reentry into the United States from abroad.

If I apply now, where do I go to apply and how long will it be before I receive my new Green Card?

To replace their Green Card, holders of Form I-151 Alien Registration Receipt Card must apply in person and submit a completed Form I-90 along with a $75 filing fee to their local INS office. It will take from three months to ten months for an applicant to receive his/her new card.

Individuals should contact their local INS office regarding specific filing procedures.

What if I cannot afford the application fee, or I am ill or disabled and cannot go to my local INS office?

Applicants who cannot afford the fee, or who are unable to appear in person because they are confined due to advanced age or physical disability, may contact their local INS office and request a waiver of these requirements.

Do I have an alternative to applying for a new Green Card?

Yes, there is a simple alternative to Green Card replacement for those who qualify -- apply for citizenship. As a US citizen there is no need for a Green Card. Legal permanent residents who naturalize join a diverse family of 260 million proud citizens. They are able to participate fully in the American democratic system of self-government, which includes the right to vote and to hold elected office. They never worry again about the need for a Green Card.

If I am about to apply for a new Green Card or if I have already applied for my replacement Green Card or for citizenship, what can I use to maintain proof of permanent resident status until I receive my new Green Card or until I become a US citizen? For applicants with a valid, unexpired passport: Applicants may bring their passport with evidence of filing for a new Green Card, or evidence of filing for naturalization, to their local INS office. A temporary Form I- 551 stamp, valid up to one year, will be placed in the passport.

For applicants without a valid, unexpired passport: If there is a need for emergency travel, applicants may bring evidence of filing for a new Green Card, or evidence of filing for naturalization, to their local INS office and request a temporary Form I-551. If the request is clearly warranted because of an emergency, the temporary Form I-551 will be issued.

These authorization documents allow the applicant to reenter the United States and obtain entitlement benefits until he/she receives a replacement card or becomes a naturalized citizen (if the applicant applied for citizenship instead of a new Green Card.)

After March 20, 1996, what will happen if I present an old Form I-151 Green Card when I try to reenter the United States after traveling abroad, or when I obtain a new job, or when I apply for entitlement benefits?

Reentry into the United States from abroad: To the extent possible, apply for your new card before you travel and bring with you evidence of your application for either the new card or naturalization. However, a legal permanent resident with an old I-151 who applies for admission to the United States after traveling abroad may experience a delay in admission due to additional procedures.

Obtaining employment: If you are considering changing jobs, again, we urge you to apply for your new card or naturalization and bring with you evidence of your application for either the new card or naturalization. While employers will not accept the old I-151 , when they verify employment eligibility for new hires, you may use other documents listed on the Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification Form) to fulfill this need.

Applying for entitlement benefits: Your status as a legal permanent resident has not changed. Therefore, your eligibility for entitlement benefits will not change. However, to avoid any possible inconvenience or delay in applying for entitlement benefits, we urge you to apply for your new card or naturalization and bring with you evidence of your application for either the new card or naturalization.