Key Takeaways
• The ADIT stamp provides temporary legal proof for lawful permanent residents awaiting Green Cards.
• Since 2023, USCIS mails ADIT stamps, reducing the need for in-person appointments.
• Starting September 2024, Green Card replacements get a 36-month automatic validity extension.
The ADIT Stamp: Essential Temporary Proof for lawful permanent residents in 2025
For many people living in the United States 🇺🇸 as lawful permanent residents, the Green Card is the main proof of their legal status. But what happens if your Green Card is lost, stolen, expired, or you are waiting for a new one? In these situations, the ADIT stamp—also called the I-551 stamp or temporary I-551 stamp—becomes a vital document. This guide explains what the ADIT stamp is, who needs it, how to get it, and what it means for your daily life as a lawful permanent resident in 2025.
What Is the ADIT Stamp (I-551 Stamp)?
The ADIT stamp stands for Alien Documentation, Identification, and Telecommunication stamp. It is a special stamp placed in your passport or on a Form I-94 by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This stamp acts as temporary proof that you are a lawful permanent resident (LPR) of the United States 🇺🇸. People often call it the I-551 stamp because the Green Card’s official name is Form I-551.
The ADIT stamp is not a replacement for your Green Card, but it works as a legal stand-in while you wait for your new or replacement card. With this stamp, you can:
- Live and work in the United States 🇺🇸
- Travel internationally and return to the United States 🇺🇸
- Show proof of your lawful permanent resident status to employers, landlords, and government agencies
The stamp is usually valid for 6 to 12 months, but the exact time depends on your case and USCIS’s decision. It almost never lasts longer than one year.
Who Needs the ADIT Stamp?
You might need an ADIT stamp if you are a lawful permanent resident and:
- You have applied for adjustment of status using Form I-485 and are waiting for your Green Card.
- You have filed Form I-90 to replace a lost, stolen, or expired Green Card.
- You have filed Form I-751 or Form I-829 to remove conditions on your residency and are waiting for a decision.
- You have filed Form N-400 for naturalization, but your Green Card or extension notice has expired.
If you are in any of these situations, the ADIT stamp is your official proof that you are still a lawful permanent resident while your case is being processed.
How the ADIT Stamp Works
The ADIT stamp is placed in your valid, unexpired passport. If you do not have a passport, USCIS can put the stamp on a Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record). The stamp includes your photo, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) seal, and other details to show it is official.
Key facts about the ADIT stamp:
- Temporary Proof: It is not a permanent document. It only works while you wait for your Green Card or a decision on your case.
- Work and Travel: You can use it to work legally in the United States 🇺🇸 and to travel internationally.
- Validity Period: Most stamps are valid for 6 to 12 months, but USCIS decides the exact time based on your situation.
- Legal Requirement: U.S. law says lawful permanent residents must carry proof of their status. The ADIT stamp keeps you in compliance if you do not have your Green Card.
Recent Policy Changes and Updates (2024–2025)
USCIS has made several important changes to how the ADIT stamp is issued and who needs it. These updates are designed to make things easier for lawful permanent residents and to reduce waiting times.
1. Mail Delivery of the ADIT Stamp
Since 2023, and continuing in 2025, USCIS allows many applicants to get the ADIT stamp by mail. This means you may not have to visit a USCIS field office in person.
- How it works:
- You call the USCIS Contact Center to request the stamp.
- USCIS checks your identity and mailing address.
- If everything is in order, USCIS mails you a Form I-94 with the ADIT stamp, DHS seal, and your photo.
- If there are problems with your identity, address, or photo, or if you have an urgent need, you may still need to go to a USCIS office in person.
This change saves time for applicants and frees up resources at USCIS offices.
2. Longer Green Card Validity Extension
Starting September 10, 2024, USCIS now gives a 36-month automatic extension to Green Cards for people who file Form I-90 to renew or replace their card. Before this, the extension was only 24 months. Now, your I-90 receipt notice acts as proof of your status and work authorization for up to three years after your Green Card expires. This means fewer people need the ADIT stamp right away.
Step-by-Step: How to Get an ADIT Stamp in 2025
If you need an ADIT stamp, follow these steps:
Step 1: File the Right Application
– Make sure you have a pending or approved application, such as Form I-485, Form I-90, Form I-751, Form I-829, or Form N-400.
Step 2: Wait for a Receipt or Approval Notice
– You need to have a receipt or approval notice from USCIS before you can request the ADIT stamp.
Step 3: Contact the USCIS Contact Center
– Call 1-800-375-5283 to request the ADIT stamp.
– Be ready to verify your identity and mailing address.
Step 4: USCIS Decides on Mail or In-Person Appointment
– If you meet the requirements, USCIS will mail you a Form I-94 with the ADIT stamp.
– If not, they will schedule an in-person appointment at a local USCIS office.
Step 5: Receive Your Stamp
– If mailed, you will get a Form I-94 with the ADIT stamp, DHS seal, and your photo.
– If in person, the officer will place the stamp in your passport or on a Form I-94.
Step 6: Use the ADIT Stamp
– Use the stamp as proof of your lawful permanent resident status for work, travel, and residency until your Green Card arrives.
Practical Implications: What the ADIT Stamp Means for You
Work Authorization
Employers in the United States 🇺🇸 accept the ADIT stamp as proof that you are allowed to work. You can show it to your employer when filling out the Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification). This helps you keep your job or start a new one while waiting for your Green Card.
International Travel
The ADIT stamp lets you leave the United States 🇺🇸 and return without problems, as long as the stamp is still valid when you re-enter. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers recognize the stamp as proof of your status. If your stamp expires while you are outside the country, you may have trouble returning, so always check the expiration date before traveling.
Legal Compliance
U.S. law says lawful permanent residents must carry proof of their status at all times. If you do not have your Green Card, the ADIT stamp keeps you in compliance and helps you avoid legal trouble if you are asked to show your documents.
Validity and Extensions
If your case is delayed and your ADIT stamp is about to expire, you can ask USCIS for a new stamp. Always keep track of your expiration date and contact USCIS early if you need an extension.
Who Issues and Recognizes the ADIT Stamp?
USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services):
– Issues the ADIT stamp, manages appointments, and handles mail delivery.
CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection):
– Accepts the ADIT stamp as proof of status for re-entry into the United States 🇺🇸.
Immigration Attorneys and Advocacy Groups:
– Help applicants understand the process and solve problems if delays or complications arise.
Applicants:
– Lawful permanent residents who need temporary proof of their status.
Expert Opinions and Real-World Examples
Immigration lawyers and experts say the ADIT stamp is a “critical bridge” for lawful permanent residents who are stuck waiting for their Green Card because of processing delays. With USCIS backlogs and longer wait times, the stamp helps people keep their jobs, travel, and avoid legal problems.
The mail delivery option is especially popular. For example, Maria, a lawful permanent resident from Mexico 🇲🇽, lost her Green Card while visiting family in Texas. She called the USCIS Contact Center, verified her identity, and received her ADIT stamp by mail within two weeks. This allowed her to keep working and travel to see her family in Mexico 🇲🇽 without worry.
However, experts warn that you should always keep your contact information up to date with USCIS. If your address is wrong, you might not get your stamp or other important documents.
Historical Background and Future Changes
The ADIT stamp has been around for many years, but the way it is issued has changed. In the past, everyone had to go to a USCIS office in person. Now, with the mail delivery process and longer Green Card extensions, things are easier for most people.
Looking to the future, USCIS may add more remote services or even digital proof of status. But as of July 2025, the ADIT stamp remains the main temporary document for lawful permanent residents who do not have their physical Green Card.
Comparing the ADIT Stamp to Other Proofs of Status
- ADIT Stamp vs. Green Card: The Green Card is the main, permanent proof of lawful permanent resident status. The ADIT stamp is only temporary and used while waiting for the Green Card.
- ADIT Stamp vs. I-90 Receipt Notice: If you file Form I-90 to renew your Green Card, your receipt notice now gives you a 36-month extension. You may not need the ADIT stamp unless you need to travel or your receipt notice is not accepted by an employer or border officer.
- ADIT Stamp vs. I-94: The I-94 is a travel record. When it has the ADIT stamp, it becomes proof of lawful permanent resident status.
Tips for Lawful Permanent Residents
- Always keep copies of your documents. If you lose your Green Card or ADIT stamp, having copies can help speed up the replacement process.
- Check expiration dates. Make sure your ADIT stamp is valid before traveling or starting a new job.
- Update your address with USCIS. Use Form AR-11 to report any address changes.
- Contact USCIS early if you need a new stamp. Do not wait until your current stamp expires.
Where to Get More Information
For the latest official guidance, visit the USCIS Replace Your Green Card page. This page has up-to-date instructions, forms, and news about Green Card replacements and the ADIT stamp process.
You can also call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 for help with appointments, mail delivery, or questions about your case.
If you need to travel and want to know more about re-entry, check the CBP travel page.
For legal advice, talk to a qualified immigration attorney or an accredited representative.
Conclusion and Action Steps
The ADIT stamp, also known as the I-551 stamp, is a lifeline for lawful permanent residents who are waiting for their Green Card or need a replacement. Thanks to recent changes, getting the stamp is easier than ever, with many people able to receive it by mail. The 36-month Green Card extension for I-90 filers also means fewer people need the stamp right away.
Action steps for lawful permanent residents:
- Know when you need the ADIT stamp and how to request it.
- Keep your documents and contact information up to date.
- Use the ADIT stamp for work, travel, and legal compliance while waiting for your Green Card.
- Monitor expiration dates and contact USCIS early if you need a new stamp.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, staying informed about these changes helps lawful permanent residents avoid problems and maintain their legal status in the United States 🇺🇸. For the most reliable and current information, always check official government sources and consult with immigration professionals when needed.
By understanding the ADIT stamp and how it works, you can protect your rights, keep your job, and travel with confidence while waiting for your Green Card.
Learn Today
ADIT stamp → A temporary immigration stamp proving lawful permanent resident status when waiting for a Green Card.
Lawful Permanent Resident → An individual authorized to live and work permanently in the United States legally.
Form I-485 → USCIS application to adjust status to lawful permanent resident within the United States.
Form I-90 → USCIS application used to replace or renew a Green Card.
Form I-94 → Arrival/Departure record used to track nonimmigrant admissions and for ADIT stamp placement.
This Article in a Nutshell
The ADIT stamp serves as essential temporary proof for lawful permanent residents awaiting Green Cards. USCIS now mails many stamps, easing access. This stamp allows work, travel, and legal compliance while waiting, with recent policy changes extending Green Card validity to 36 months, reducing immediate stamp needs.
— By VisaVerge.com
