@Annie A When your I-485 is approved, you become a Lawful Permanent Resident right then. Your EAD (c)(9) and Advance Parole combo card are automatically invalid because you don't need them anymore, you have a green card. So that paragraph on the I-797 approval notice is boilerplate. USCIS puts: Please return your unexpired EAD/AP to... to avoid adjudication delays What it really means: Don't use your EAD for work or travel anymore. Use your green card / I-551 status. They want the old cards back so they can't be misused. It's not that you have to return it before they will print your green card. The green card is already approved and being produced.