Attention Green Card Applicants with a Pending I-485 Adjustment of Status Application
Historically, the expectation was for USCIS to issue an employment authorization document (EAD) and advance parole (AP) combo card. However, USCIS have recently began issuing the two documents separately.

What Is a Combo Card?
In 2011, USCIS announced that they would begin issuing employment and travel authorization on a single “combo” card for those green card applicants already living lawfully in the United States and filing an adjustment of status (AOS) application. By combining the documents, USCIS enabled applicants to carry a single document that was more durable and secure than the previous AP document.

What Did a Combo Card Look Like and What to Expect in the Mail Now?

• Combo Card
  Combo cards look very similar to EAD cards, but it includes text at the bottom of the card that says, “Serves as I-512 Advance Parole.”
  
• Regular EAD Card
  EAD-only cards include text that states that it is “not valid for reentry to U.S.” To travel, it must be accompanied by a separate AP document.
  

Why Did USCIS Stop Issuing Combo Cards and What Does this Affect?

USCIS has stopped issuing combo cards in an effort to reduce growing EAD backlogs that have created employment interruptions for applicants. Because the two documents will now be sent out separately, it is possible to receive the EAD card before the AP document.

It’s important to understand that the EAD card alone will not permit travel and re-entry the United States. The EAD card must be accompanied by the separate AP document issued by USCIS to travel.

The Advance Parole is a separate document that looks like this: