Pending I-829 or I-751 Now Extends Validity Period of Conditional Green Card by 48 Months

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced it will significantly extend the validity period of a green card belonging to a conditional permanent resident (CPR), when the CPR files a petition to remove conditions on residence (form I-751) or a petition by investor to remove conditions on permanent resident status (form I-829). The USCIS will now extend the validity period of the green card by 48 months beyond the expiration date listed on the green card, as long as the I-751 or I-829 remains pending.

Extension of Green Card Validity

This policy went into effect for form I-829 petitions filed on or after January 11, 2023. For form I-751 petitions, the change went into effect on January 25, 2023. The USCIS is in the process of issuing updated receipt notices to eligible CPRs with a pending I-829 or I-751.

Conclusion

This policy change is helpful, given that processing times for many I-829 and I-751 petitions have lengthened beyond the two-year extension previously granted by these receipt notices. Needless to say, however, a far better solution would be for the USCIS to implement changes that would allow these cases to be processed within a reasonable timeframe.

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