In September of 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that green card extension requests would be automatically granted in many circumstances. There are times, however, when an applicant does not receive what they need from immigration to prove their ongoing status automatically and they need to force the government to give it to them. In these cases, it is possible to request an Infopass appointment to obtain the needed information so the immigrant can legally remain in the US, work and travel internationally. This is what is referred to as an ADIT stamp.
The I-551 or ADIT stamp (Alien Documentation, Identification, and Telecommunication) is a very important document that immigration used to provide temporary proof of lawful permanent resident status and is affixed to either a page in an immigrant’s passport or directly to their I-94 card.
How do you get an ADIT stamp? This can only be done by calling the USCIS Contact Center at (800) 375-5283 or by using “Emma” on the USCIS web page. Once the appointment is scheduled with a USCIS field office, an officer will issue the I-551 stamp for continued proof of compliance with legal permanent residency requirements.
When is the ADIT Stamp Necessary? It is recommended to obtain an ADIT stamp in the following circumstances:
- When a green card holder has filed a renewal or extension request (I-90 form) and the 24-month extension listed in the receipt notice has expired.
- When a conditional resident has filed an I-751 or I-829 petition and the 48-month extension listed on their receipt notice has expired and they need to travel or their employer is asking for updated proof of legal compliance.
- It is also necessary to request an Infopass appointment if a green card application was filed but the original card was never received or was lost/stolen and, therefore, there is no physical card to demonstrate compliance with the extension notice.
When is an ADIT Stamp not Necessary? If a green card holder has filed form N-400 for the naturalization process or if they have filed an extension of their green card within 6 months prior to its expiration and have a matching receipt notice with an automatic extension listed on it, there is no need to obtain an ADIT stamp. The notice for these individuals will show that their ongoing status is valid for up to 24 months. The green card extension period allows the applicant to continue living in and traveling freely within the U.S. and internationally for as long as their conditions of residency remain unchanged.
Any questions about green card extensions, the ADIT stamp process, or whether you should apply for citizenship can be directed to our office. to discuss your case, please schedule an appointment with our office by calling 616-805-3435 or by using the following link to schedule an appointment online: https://marvinlawoffice.com/schedule-a-consultation/
