What Does "Card Is Being Produced" Mean? Your Green Card Is Almost Here
"Card Is Being Produced" is one of the best statuses you can see on USCIS. It means your case has been approved and your physical green card or Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is being printed. Most applicants receive their card within 7-14 business days of this status appearing.
On this page
What "Card Is Being Produced" Means Precisely
"Card Is Being Produced" means USCIS has sent a production order to the card printing facility — typically the National Benefits Center card production unit. The card is being personalized with your name, photo, A-number, and other case-specific information and embedded with the biometric chip required for modern green cards.
This status appears for:
- Green cards (I-551) — both initial and renewal
- Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) — I-765 approvals
- Refugee Travel Documents — I-131 approvals
It is distinct from "Case Was Approved" — that status confirms the legal decision. After approval, you will also receive an official approval notice in the mail. "Card Is Being Produced" is the physical manufacturing step that follows.
When Your Card Will Arrive
Card production (3-7 business days)
The card printing facility produces, quality-checks, and packages your card. This typically takes 3-7 business days from when the status updates.
USCIS mails the card
Cards are sent via USPS first-class mail. You will see your USCIS status update to "Card Was Mailed" when this happens. You may also receive a USPS Informed Delivery notification showing the expected delivery date.
USPS delivery (2-5 business days)
Standard delivery takes 2-5 business days. The card is mailed to the address on your application. If you moved since filing, update your address immediately.
From "Card Is Being Produced" to delivery: most applicants receive their card within 10-14 business days (2-3 calendar weeks). The 30-day mark is when you should follow up if nothing has arrived.
How to Track Your Card
You can track your card's delivery in two ways:
- USPS Informed Delivery: Sign up at informeddelivery.usps.com with the address where the card will be delivered. You'll receive daily email previews showing incoming mail, including your card envelope.
- USCIS online account: When the status updates to "Card Was Mailed," it may include a USPS tracking number. Check your USCIS online account for this information.
What to Do If Your Card Doesn't Arrive
If 30 days have passed since "Card Is Being Produced" with no card received:
- First check your USPS Informed Delivery to confirm what was sent and when
- Check with household members and neighbors — cards are sometimes left with others
- Contact USCIS to report the card as not received. Call 1-800-375-5283 or submit an online inquiry
- USCIS will initiate a trace with USPS and, if necessary, reissue your card at no cost to you
Do not update your address after "Card Is Being Produced." The card has already been addressed and is in the mail stream. Address updates at this point will not reroute your card — they will only apply to future mailings.
Your Work and Travel Rights Now
While you wait for your physical card to arrive, your legal status and rights have already changed:
If waiting for a green card
Your I-551 stamp (placed in your passport at your interview or mailed separately) serves as temporary proof of permanent resident status. This is valid for work authorization and travel. Once your card arrives, it replaces the stamp as your primary proof of status.
If waiting for an EAD
If your previous EAD is still valid, you may continue working. If it has expired, USCIS auto-extension rules may apply in certain circumstances. Consult an immigration attorney if you have a gap between your old EAD expiration and your new card's arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does "Card Is Being Produced" take?
Typically 7-14 business days from this status to delivery. The card production phase itself takes 3-7 business days, followed by USPS delivery of 2-5 business days.
Does "Card Is Being Produced" mean I'm approved?
Yes — this status follows approval. Your case has already been decided in your favor. This status is purely the physical manufacturing step.
What comes after "Card Is Being Produced"?
The next status update will be "Card Was Mailed" — confirming USCIS has sent the card to USPS. After that, your case may show "Case Was Approved" as the final status once the card is delivered.
My green card has the wrong information. What do I do?
If your card has a name misspelling, wrong date of birth, or other error that is USCIS's fault, you can file Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card) with a fee waiver, citing a USCIS error. If the error was in your original application, a fee may apply.
Can I travel internationally while waiting for my card?
If you are a green card holder with a valid I-551 stamp, you can generally travel internationally. However, re-entry with a stamp rather than the physical card may trigger additional screening at the port of entry. Wait for the card if your travel is not urgent.