48-Month Extension on Green Card Validity Granted to Conditional Permanent Residents with Pending Form I-751 or Form I-829

USCIS will extend the validity of Green Cards for 48 months beyond the card’s expiration date for those who properly file Form I-751 or Form I-829. USCIS will issue new receipt notices to eligible conditional permanent residents, and they can present an updated receipt notice with an expired Green Card as evidence of continued status.

The change started on January 11, 2023, for Form I-829 and will start on January 25, 2023, for Form I-751. Conditional permanent residents who plan to be outside the US for a year or more should apply for a reentry permit before leaving.

The change comes in light of extremely long pending times on filed Form I-751 and Form I-829 applications.

Official USCIS notice:

USCIS is extending the validity of Permanent Resident Cards (also known as Green Cards) for petitioners who properly file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, or Form I-829, Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status for 48 months beyond the card’s expiration date. This change started on January 11, 2023, for Form I-829 and will start on January 25, 2023, for Form I-751.

We are making this change to accommodate current processing times for Form I-751 and Form I-829, which have increased over the past year.

USCIS has updated the language on Form I-751 and Form I-829 receipt notices to extend the validity of a Green Card for 48 months for individuals with a newly filed Form I-751 or Form I-829. We will issue new receipt notices to eligible conditional permanent residents who previously received notices with an extension shorter than 48 months and whose cases are still pending. These receipt notices can be presented with an expired Green Card as evidence of continued status, while the case remains pending with USCIS. By presenting your updated receipt notice with your expired Green Card, you remain authorized to work and travel for 48 months from the expiration date on the front of your expired Green Card.

As a reminder, conditional permanent residents who plan to be outside of the United States for a year or more should apply for a reentry permit by filing Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, before leaving the United States. For more information, see our International Travel as a Permanent Resident webpage.

Source USCIS: January 2023