Beginning in January 2021, US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) will replace the sticker that is currently issued to lawful permanent residents (LPRs) to extend the validity of their Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card (PRC, and also called a “Green Card”), with a revised Form I-797, Notice of Action for Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. USCIS states that the revised I-797 receipt notice, along with an applicant’s Green Card, will serve as temporary evidence of lawful permanent resident status for twelve months from the expiration date on the front of the Green Card. USCIS notes:

This change ensures that LPRs with a recently expired Green Card will have documentation of identity, employment authorization, and authorization to return to the United States following temporary foreign travel. Form I-90 applicants who have not been issued a notice for a biometrics appointment and are in possession of their Green Card, will no longer have to visit an application support center to obtain temporary evidence of LPR status. Applicants who have already been scheduled for a biometrics appointment will not receive a revised notice and will be issued an extension sticker at their biometrics appointment.

USCIS further states that starting in January 2021, applicants who file Form I-90 to replace an expiring Green Card will receive the revised receipt notice in the mail approximately seven-to-ten days after USCIS accepts their application. The notice will be printed on secure paper and will be evidence of identity and employment authorization when presented with an expired Green Card.