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By Vipul Jain
Getting a U.S. green card is a major milestone as it is not easily provided to anyone. Officially popular as a Permanent Resident Card, it is physical proof of your ability to work and live in the United States. Also, it is a vital document for getting a home loan, accepting a job, and renewing your driving license in the US. However, maintaining the validity of it is also important. Seeking guidance for it? Well, then you are on the right page. Here, is what you need to know about how to replace or renew a green card in the US to preserve your status as a legal permanent resident. So, let's begin reading by knowing the steps of green card renewal.
If the expiry date of your green card is near, you need to start your USCIS green card renewal process within six months of expiration. With this, to renew your card you need to fill out the same application form you would use in case of a lost or stolen green card i.e. file form I-90. It is an application form to replace a permanent resident card. For this, you need to follow the below-mentioned steps:
After getting the application accepted by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), you will get a receipt notice. However, if your green card expires before getting a new card, the USCIS receipt notice along with your expired card will be used as proof of your lawful permanent resident (LPR). In addition, it will signify the following things:
Generally, when renewing a green card, you need to be physically available in the US. However, if you are outside the country, you can use your expired green card to board a transportation carrier to back in the nation. But this also applies only if your departure date is less than one year.
Furthermore, it is how you can renew your green card online and stay in the US longer. What about applying for the renewal process and not knowing about the documents? Read below to get your answers.
To renew your green card in the US, you need to provide the following documents to USCIS:
These are the documents that a green card holder needs to submit during his/her green card renewal. In case you are starting a new job, you need to file Form I-90 i.e. Employment Eligibility Verification, for your employer. Here in this situation your expired green card and receipt notice is an acceptable proof of your employment and identity authorization.
Now, after knowing the documents, let's know what to expect after submitting the renewal application.
After submitting the I-90 Form to the USCIS to renew your green card, you can expect the following things:
Within 2-4 weeks after submission of your renewal application, you will get an email from USCIS stating they have accepted your renewal application. The mail will include a 13-digit alphanumeric number. In which 3 letters will be alphabet and 10 will be numbers. Through this, you will be able to check your green card status.
With this, if you applied for renewal on or after 26 September 2022, you will get the receipt notice of extension from the USCIS. It states that even after the expiry of your green card it is valid for 24 months. However, from September 10, 2024, the validity is extended to 36 months. You also get the same notification on your USCIS account. In case you do not have an account, USCIS will open one for you and mention instructions on how to use it in the letter that you get through the mail.
Within 1-2 weeks after submitting the renewal application to USCIS, you get a notice regarding your biometric appointment. Generally, it is an appointment to take your photo, signature, and fingerprints. In addition, you may also ask for supporting documents or additional information to complete your renewal process.
These are the two things you can expect after applying online. Moving further, let's know about the renewal cost of the green card in the US.
With the beginning of January 2025, the renewal fee in the US is as follows
You can make the payment with a money order, credit card, cashier's check, or personal check. Also, both the fees are non-refundable. In addition, some applicants may be eligible for a fee waiver. For eligibility instructions, you can check Form I-912. However, applying for a fee waiver may impact your current immigration status in the US.
It is how much you need to pay to renew your green card in the U.S. Now, moving ahead, let's know your green card processing time by checking the application status.
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Generally, the USCIS processing times for renewal applications take 1.5 to 12 months. To get a clear idea of your current processing time you can track your application. Want to know how? Browse down and get your answer.
From the check status page, you can see your complete green card application history. It is how you can check the renewal status online. With this, for updates you can also call on the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 for application updates. In addition, if you want email or text notification when your application is accepted fill out the form G-1145. It is officially known as the "e-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance form. Submit it along with your renewal application for a green card.
This is how you can track down your application and know the time taken for your renewal online. Moving further, let us know what can you do to extend your expired green card in the US.
Typically, the green card renewal processing time of Form I-90 exceeds 8 months. One may need more urgent evidence of permanent resident status in the US to travel overseas, get a new job, renew a driver's license, or apply for a mortgage. In these situations, you can get temporary evidence. With this, to extend the validity of your expired green card you need to follow the mentioned steps:
For the renewal of a green card, you need to fill out Form I-90 with a $465 filing fee if applied offline or $415 if applied online. It is an application to replace the permanent resident card.
For the applicants who fill out the form I-90 online correctly, USCIS is automatically extending the green card validity. After filling out the form for approximately 2 to 4 weeks USCIS mails a Notice of Action i.e. Form I-797C. The following "receipt notice" is a vital document. Also, it is evidence that your renewal application is accepted by USCIS. It comes with a 36-month validity of the green card. From September 10, 2024, the validity of it extended from 24 to 36 months.
If you lost your green card or its expiration date is more than two years ago, you will not get a temporary green card. However, in your unexpired, valid passport you can ask for an I-551 stamp. It is equivalent to the card. In addition, you may also use it for travel or work.
Until you get the new green card, the Notice of Action is your temporary proof. With an expired green card use the receipt as proof of permanent resident status in the US. Through this, you will be able to extend your stay in the country.
This is how you can extend the validity of your expired green card in the United States. However, while doing so it is advisable to understand the renewal process and conditions associated with it. With this, moving further, let's know what to do if the renewal application is denied.
As long as you follow the law and instructions it is not likely to have an issue. There are circumstances when the government of the US might deny the renewal application of a green card. For example, you did not pay your liable taxes, submitted the wrong form, committed a crime, or lied on your card application. In case, your renewal application is denied, you will get a letter explaining the reason.
However, you can also take action, if you think the US government made the mistake. To request the USCIS to reconsider its decision, submit a motion. Be sure to mention any factual detail that will represent how the denial decision was based on incorrect information. In addition, was on the application of the law. Apart from this, you can also seek professional legal help, specifically if your case is complicated. The review of denial appeals generally takes 45 days. In these circumstances, your request is either granted by USCIS or the case is given to the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) for further review. This process is generally done within six months.
In last to renew a green card in the US a person needs a proper understanding of the process. In this, having an expert like Visament makes the whole process easy for you. Our team can solve all your queries and provide you with the guidance you are seeking to renew your card. Also, we do facilitate other immigration services like passport renewal, OCI card, and more. So, why look for other options when you have the best by your side? Contact us today and begin your application process with ease.
To prove you do not have PERM to USCIS, you can generally provide a statement stating that you never filled out the PERM application, along with the required documents. For example, a printout of the website of the Department of Labor showing no current PERM cases on your name and if applicable a letter from your previous or current employers confirming they did not do a PERM process on your behalf.
From January 2025, the average processing time for green card renewal in the US is 9 months. However, depending on many factors like the number of applications, staffing levels, workload allocations, biometric appointment, case-specific issues, and completeness of application the processing time varies.
Yes, you can work with an expired green card in the U.S. but for this, you need to have proof of your lawful permanent resident status in the country. For this, you can use an Alien Documentation Identification and Telecommunications (ADIT) or an I-90 receipt notice stamp to prove your legal status in the US.
To renew your 2-year green card i.e. conditional permanent resident status in the US you need to fill out Form I-751, “Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence.” Along with the application form you need to submit other documents like your current green card, lease agreements, passport, and others. In addition, you may also need to attend the interview.
Yes, after 10 years many green cards expire. However, if these cards are issued before 1989 they do not expire and do not need any renewal.
Yes, a green card renewal application can be denied by USCIS. It can be because of an incomplete application, criminal convictions, incorrect form or information, failure to pay taxes, or excessive time spent outside the US.
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