How Does a Conditional Resident Prove Status With a Pending I-751?

Once the USCIS Service Center has received your I-751 application is and reviewed it to see that you included all the appropriate documents and fee, you will get a receipt notice on USCIS Form I-797. Several weeks could pass before you get this receipt notice.

The I-797 receipt notice is crucial, because it extends your conditional residency for a period designated by USCIS (normally 18 months, though it's recently been lengthened to 48 months owing to agency processing delays).

The notice will be your only proof of your legal status after your green card expires. The notice is a bit awkward to show to employers, border patrol officers, and so on, but it really is an official document. You must, however, also carry your expired green card with you at the same time. That's because your card, unlike the receipt, has your photo on it.

CAUTION: Do not travel with an expired USCIS receipt notice! If you do not get your permanent resident card by the time your receipt notice expires, you'll need to get a temporary ADIT stamp in your passport before leaving the United States. If you fail to do so, you might not be let back in.

Timing of USCIS Approval for Permanent Residence

You will, during this interim time period (between filing Form I-751 and USCIS approval for U.S. permanent residence), be sent an appointment notice stating when and where you must appear for biometrics. This is usually done at a USCIS Application Support Center (ASC). Biometric processing includes taking your photograph, signature, and your index fingerprint, for use in generating your new green card. If you are between ages 14 and 79, it also includes taking your full set of fingerprints, in order to do another criminal background check.

After that, most people receive their permanent resident cards before the expiration of their extension on Form I-797. If you don't, however, do not worry that this will affect your legal status in the United States. You will remain a conditional resident until USCIS makes a decision on your application.

What to Do If You Need Additional Proof of Legal Status Before Your I-751 Approval

If you find you need evidence of your legal status during this limbo period, get in touch with the USCIS Contact Center.

This involves a tough-to-navigate phone tree; experts advise starting in the morning, because you're unlikely to reach a live person directly, but they will promise to call back; and it's easier to catch that call on the same day. The USCIS officer who calls you should double check that your case is still pending. If need be, the officer can arrange to give you appropriate documentation to serve as evidence of your lawful immigration status (with an expiration date). This might involve simply mailing you a Form I-94 with what's called an ADIT or I-551 stamp, the DHS seal, and your printed photo. Or, the officer might make an appointment for you at a local USCIS office, where they can place an I-551/ADIT stamp directly into your passport.

You could also try requesting an in-person appointment directly, via USCIS's online "My Appointment" portal. This is new as of late 2023, so it's impossible to assess whether it will be faster than going through the Contact Center, or what happens if you try doing both. Also, getting an appointment isn't guaranteed; the agency will evaluate your need after you submit the request.

If you request it, the USCIS information officer will also send an inquiry to the Service Center handling your case, pointing out that your case has gone beyond normal processing time. With any luck, the USCIS Service Center will approve your permanent residence by mail before long. Or, it might call you and your U.S. spouse in for an interview first.

Applying for Naturalized Citizenship While Still a Conditional Resident

If it's getting close to the time when you can apply for U.S. citizenship and USCIS still has not given you a decision on your I-751, you don't have to wait before you apply for citizenship.

Although USCIS cannot actually grant you U.S. citizenship unless the I-751 is approved, if it sees that you still have an I-751 pending when you submit your N-400 to apply for naturalized citizenship, it will take care of your I-751 first, then process your citizenship application.

Getting Legal Help

For personalized assistance with applying for lawful permanent residence based on marriage to a U.S. citizen or green card holder, consult an experienced attorney.