I-751 Petition and I-829 petition receipt notices now valid for 24 months

On Sept. 3, 2021, USCIS announced that Petitioners who file a Form I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence or a Form I-829 Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status will receive a Form I-797 receipt notice that can be presented with their Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card, as evidence of continued status for 24 months past the expiration date on their conditional Permanent Resident Card. Previously, USCIS only issued receipt notices that would be valid for 18 months past the expiration date on the conditional Permanent Resident Card. USCIS made the change from 18 to 24 months to reflect the current processing times for Form I-751 and Form I-829, which have largely increased under the pandemic.

In addition, USCIS also will issue new Form I-797 receipt notices to eligible conditional permanent residents whose Form I-751 or Form I-829 was still pending as of Sept. 4, 2021. Those Form I-797 receipt notices will also serve as evidence of continued status for 24 months past the expiration date on petitioner’s Permanent Resident Card.

This is an important change, as the original receipt notices serve as evidence of conditional permanent residents’ status in the United States. With the extension, conditional permanent residents will be afforded an additional six months to use their original receipt notices for proof of status for work, school, or when traveling abroad when their conditional green card has expired.

Applicants who provide their 24-month receipt notice extension (Notice of Action) received by mail can travel provided they also present the extension notice along with Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card (also known as a Green Card),

However, conditional permanent residents who plan to be outside of the United States for a year or more must apply and receive a reentry permit by filing Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, before leaving the country.