Redesigned Green Card and EAD to be issued soon

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced new designs today to improve the security of Permanent Resident Cards (also known as Green Cards) and Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). The redesigned green cards and EAD will be issued by USCIS on January 30, 2023.

The new redesigned Green Card and EAD designs use cutting-edge technology to protect national security and amongst the changes are improved detailed artwork; tactile printing that is more integrated with the artwork; enhanced optically variable ink; highly secure holographic images on the front and back of the cards; a layer-reveal feature with a partial window on the back photo box; and data fields displayed in different locations than previous versions.

It is noteworthy to mention that the introduction of the new designs does not render existing cards invalid. Current cards are valid until the date they expire (unless otherwise noted, such as through an automatic extension of a Green Card or EAD as indicated on a Form I-797, Notice of Action, or in a Federal Register notice).

As USCIS will continue to use existing cardstock until current supplies are depleted, some Green Cards and EADs issued after January 30, 2023, may still display the existing design format. Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, E-Verify, and Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) accept both versions of the cards. Some older Green Cards that do not have an expiration date are generally will continue to remain valid; however, USCIS advises applicants with these older cards to consider applying for a replacement card to prevent fraud or tampering if the card is ever lost or stolen.