What is an I-551 Stamp?

[Mozzer1972 7]

My wife and I went to the AOS interview and passed. She is supposed to receive her GC in about 4 weeks. The question I have is what is the I-551 stamp? Her passport did not receive any stamp.

[Brit Abroad 166]

The I-551 stamp is the equivalent of a temporary green card. It's generally stamped into the passport if you are approved, have pre-booked travel arrangements and take the documents to your interview with you. It's basically to allow you easier return to the US, but it's no different functionally from the green card.

If you don't have plans for international travel, then it's not a big issue as the green card itself will be in the mail shortly. They say 4 weeks, but most of us receive it within 7 days.

[nickbits 43]

I was told they don't give them out (unless really pressed) for security reasons.

[Mozzer1972 7]

Thank you both for the info. I understand.

[A + M 29]

The I-551 stamp is the equivalent of a temporary green card.

I got mine at my USCIS local office in no time.

[RomaSkirsky 6]

Hi VJer's

We just recieved the great news that my husband was just approved for his I485 peitition and should be recieving his Green Card within 30 days. I noticed some comments on the I-551 stamp for traveling, but we will not be internationally traveling till October to the DR for a friends wedding, at which point he should already have his green card. Does he still need the temporary residency stamp? His Interview was waived so they didn't require him to go to the local USCIS office for an interview, and therefore he didn't recieve a stamp. Again he wouldn't need permission to re-enter the country till OCtober, and we'd only be going for maximum a week. I was just curious if he needed to have both when we leave the country in order to reenter since in some of the listings I read it was needed to have both. I appreciate your help! Thanks!

RomaSkirsky-

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

You do not need the stamp. You will use your green card. I-551 is the document number/name for permanent residency. Your green card is an I-551. You do not need the I-551 temporary stamp in your passport and the actual green card. They only give the stamp if you do not have your green card and absolutely need proof of being a permanent resident. They do not give them out just for having your AOS approved.

[aussie_jason 195]

Actually it depends on the office and the IO whether they will give the I-551 stamp, ours did it without even having to ask for it but regardless it isn't important as you should have the official green card within a week or so.

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

Actually it depends on the office and the IO whether they will give the I-551 stamp, ours did it without even having to ask for it but regardless it isn't important as you should have the official green card within a week or so.

Interesting. They used to easily give them out when approved at an interview, but they stopped doing that. Maybe some of the older IOs still give them out easily.

[RomaSkirsky 6]

THANK YOU! MY HUSBAND JUST GOT HIS GC YESTERDAY IN THE MAIL! WE'RE VERY EXCITED! BEST OF LUCK!