On May 1, 2017, the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service (USCIS) issued redesigned Permanent Resident Cards (Form I-551 or green cards) and Employment Authorization Cards (Form I-766 or EAD) as part of the Next Generation Secure Identification Document Project.

Some cards issued after May 1, 2017 will still contain the former design format as USCIS will continue to utilize the existing card stock until current supplies are depleted. Both the existing and new Permanent Resident Cards and Employment Authorization Documents will remain valid until the expiration date shown on the card.

Employers should remember that some Permanent Resident Cards do not contain an expiration date. These cards without an expiration date are still valid as per USCIS/DHS regulations, “All Permanent Resident Cards (Form I-551), whether they contain an expirations date or no expiration date, are List A documents that should not be re-verified”.

Both the new and existing versions of the Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) and the Employment Authorization Card (Form I-766) are acceptable for Form I-9 completion and E-Verify.

The new Permanent Resident Cards and EAD’s will:

– Display the individual’s photo on both sides;
– Show a unique graphic image and color palette:
– Permanent Resident Cards will have an image of the Statue of Liberty and a predominately green palette;
– EAD Cards will have an image of a bald eagle and a predominately red palette;
– Have embedded holographic images;
– No longer display the individual’s signature; and
– Permanent Resident Cards will no longer have an optical stripe on the back.