Expired Permanent Resident Cards

Immigrant Visa Unit

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has informed us that individuals who have an expired permanent resident card, commonly known as a Green Card, (I-551), who are at this time outside the U.S. can enter the U.S. without the issuance of a transportation letter as long as the individual has not been outside the U.S. for more than six months.

The Transportation Companies have received a notification letter, issued September 13, 1999, informing them that they should permit boarding of any bonafide Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) in possession of an expired permanent resident card with a ten year expiration date, if the expiration date on the card is the only reason that the LPR would otherwise not be boarded. Airlines are to permit boarding without any penalty to the LPR.

Carriers were also informed that this policy does not affect Conditional Permanent Resident card holders with a two year expiration date. The conditional permanent resident in possession of an expired permanent resident card must continue have evidence that the expiration date has been extended.

Applications (I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card) must be made with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the U.S. as soon as possible.