Recently, USCIS announced the release of a redesigned Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551), also commonly referred to as the “Green Card,” as well as a revised Employment Authorization Document (EAD or Form I-766).  While USCIS began issuing the new EAD and Green Cards in May 2010, please note that previously issued EAD and Green Cards already in circulation remain valid until their expiration date.

USCIS has stated that the changes to both documents seek to provide enhanced security features and discourage immigration fraud. As you can see in the sample images below, the backside of the EAD now has a machine-readable zone that replaced the two-dimensional bar code while the front of the EAD card appears to be unchanged. The changes to the Green Card are comprehensive as the document underwent a complete redesign. In addition to the official announcement unveiling the new Green Card and EAD, USCIS has also published a Green Card Fact Sheet that goes into more detail about the changes.

For I-9 purposes, Employers will want to become familiar with the new EAD and Green Card as both are acceptable List A Documents that establish identity and employment authorization.