USCIS Redesigns Green Card and Employment Authorization Document

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has redesigned the Permanent Resident Card (also known as a Green Card) and the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to improve security. 

USCIS announced on Monday it will begin issuing the redesigned cards on January 30th. 

“The new Green Card and EAD designs contain state-of-the-art technology that continue to safeguard national security and improve service for our customers,” USCIS said in a release.

Changes include improved detailed artwork, tactile printing that is better integrated with the artwork, enhanced optically variable ink, and highly secure holographic images on the front and back of the cards.

Others are a layer-reveal feature with a partial window on the back photo box, and data fields displayed in different places than on previous versions.

“This redesign further demonstrates USCIS’ commitment to taking a proactive approach against the threat of secure document tampering, counterfeiting, and fraud,” said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou. 

“Consistent updates to secure documents, informed by our knowledge of the latest methods of bad actors and the innovation and ingenuity of our staff, ensure the continued integrity of secure documents issued by our agency.”

The introduction of the new designs does not affect the validity of the existing Green Cards and EADs, which remain valid until their expiration date.

USCIS said some Green Cards and EADs issued after January 30th may still display the existing design format as the agency will continue using existing cardstock until current supplies are depleted. 

“Both versions of the cards are acceptable for Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification; E-Verify; and Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE),” it added.

USCIS urged applicants with Green Cards that do not have an expiration date to consider applying for a replacement card to prevent fraud or tampering should the card ever get lost or stolen.

To mitigate the risk of fraud and counterfeiting, the Document Management Division in the USCIS Office of Intake and Document Production redesigns the cards every three to five years.