by Employers may begin seeing a new look for some employment eligibility documents in the upcoming months. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began issuing redesigned Permanent Resident Cards (i.e., Green Cards) and Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) on January 30, 2023. The redesigned documents have features intended to deter tampering.
Permanent Resident Cards and EADs can be critical documents provided by noncitizens during the hiring process. They are among the documents USCIS lists as establishing both identity and work eligibility for the Employment Eligibility Verification form (i.e., I-9) completed during hiring.
The USCIS notes that the introduction of a new design for the documents does not invalidate previously issued versions:
- Some Permanent Resident Cards and EADs issued after January 30, 2023, may still display the previous design format.
- Previously issued documents remain valid until their expiration date.
- Permanent Resident Cards or EADs may also be automatically extended as indicated on a Form I-797 or as announced in the Federal Register.
- Older Permanent Resident Cards do not have an expiration date and remain valid.
For more updates on I-9 processes, including links to photos of the redesigned documents, see https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central.
