Recent versions of the green card include an expiration date. However, many people still have a green card with no expiration date. During the 1970’s and 1980’s, the U.S. government issued green cards that do not have an expiration date printed on them. Generally, you may continue to use these cards. But cards with no expiry date do carry some risks.
First, make sure you have a valid version of the card. If you are holding a card that says “I-151” or “Form I-151” in small print anywhere on the card, you have an invalid card. In 1977, the U.S. government discontinued the I-151. They replaced it with the I-551. Form I-151 and Form I-551 are simply the government’s internal name for green card. Form I-151 was discontinued. You must replace your green card if you have this version.
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As long as you have the I-551 version of the green card, it is still valid – even if there’s no expiration date printed on it. USCIS has discussed implementing a rule requiring permanent residents to replace green cards that lack expiration dates, but they have not implemented such a rule to date.
Nonetheless, there are still several reasons to replace a green card with no expiration date.
To replace an old green card with no expiration date, you’ll need to file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. When replacing a card, you need to provide a reason. If you replacing for the reasons discussed in this article, you can select “I have a prior edition of the Alien Registration Card, or I am applying to replace my current Permanent Resident Card for a reason that is not specified above.”
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