I-551 Stamp Guide for Beginner

Green Card is an important document that people from other countries outside the U.S. must have to be able to work and live in the U.S. permanently. However, there is also one document that has a similar function to Green Card. It’s called the I-551 stamp.

I-551 stamp is a temporary document/evidence that allows you to work and live in the U.S. permanently. You can get it when you are still in the middle of waiting time for renewing or replacing your Green Card. This stamp will act as the temporary replacement of your Green Card until you receive your new and renewed Green Card.

As mentioned above, this document is issued as temporary evidence for working and living in the U.S. permanently. Therefore, the one who is eligible to obtain the I-551 stamp is the Green Card holder. Moreover, you also need to be in a time when your Green Card is almost expired (6 months before the expiration date). You can renew your Green Card here, and you are eligible to get the I-551 stamp to replace your Green Card while waiting it is finished.

You will need an I-551 stamp when you are in the waiting time for renewing your Green Card. It takes weeks to get your Green Card renewed, so by having an I-551 stamp, you don’t need to worry about a document that allows you to live and work in the U.S. 

You just need to visit the local USCIS office. However, before you visit, make sure that you schedule an InfoPass appointment that you can do via the USCIS website. Or, you also can fill the application form at the USCIS office to ask for the time to get your I-551 stamp. Of course, you have to be eligible to obtain it, before you get this document. Read more Guide for applying form I-551

To get I-551 stamp, you need to prepare the following documents:

–        A valid passport,

–        InfoPass appointment notice

–        Form I-90 receipt notice,

–        Proof of residence with the jurisdiction of the USCIS office

–        A copy of your Green Card that you are going to replace/renew,

–        A copy of a date-stamped ASC appointment notice that proved biometrics have been obtained,

–        An additional document that proves you need the I-551 stamp.

For more information about the additional document you need to prepare, you can visit the USCIS website. You can find detail information there, as well as the condition and document that match your condition.

To get an I-551 stamp, you don’t need to pay anything or it’s free. However, because you need Form I-90 receipt to get this stamp, you need to pay this form. It cost $455. Then, you need to pay $85 for biometrics fee. The total cost for getting the I-551 stamp is $540.

I-551 stamp is valid for six months to 1 year. It depends on individual condition, or until you receive your Green Card.