Olinger Law

Green Card Renewal Process

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U.S. green cards (identity cards), which lawful permanent residents were granted with have a date printed on front for expiration. These have ten years before expiration at which it is expected for you to do a green card renewal. Doing so, involves a process of handing in, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card Form I-90, which U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issues.
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When your card expires, will your permanent residence expire?

People are commonly confused with this question, but no, if you do not do your renewal of your green card it does not affect you lawful permanent residence status. You will however have a hard time getting employment, coming back in U.S. after traveling out of the country, and so on. Also by law you are required to carry evidence which is valid of your status of immigration, and a green card which is expired is not valid evidence.
Requirements for renewal of green cards surprises immigrants who obtained them during 1979-1988. They did not have a date of expiration and renewal was not required. However, these cards are now required to be renewed due to system change.

When to do Green Card Renewal

Your application for renewal should be submitted within the six month time period before the expiration date. Application process takes time, this gives USCIS just that.

How to Renew your Green Card

Form I-90 issued by USCIS is used for your green card renewal application and must be submitted. This form is used for more purposes that green card renewal, such as lost card replaced, or a request for errors to be fixed on your green card. Some of the information you will be asked to provide includes:

  • Your name (any name changes)
  • Your U.S. address
  • Your date of birth, along with place and country
  • U.S. Social Security Number
  • Alien registration number
  • Names of your parents
  • Admission class (green card name type in which you received)
  • Admission date (green card shows date)
  • City in which you resided when you applied for adjustment of status or an immigrant visa
  • USCIS office in which your status was adjusted or consulate from where you were issued an immigrant visa
  • Reason for submitting an application (if renewing a card with expiration date, check box “F” in Part 2; if there is no expiration date on card you renewing check box “J”)

A copy must be submitted of your expired or expiring green card with the Form I-90. Submit name change evidence if there was a name change.

Green Card Renewal USCIS Processing

Submit Form I-90, any required documents, and fee to USCIS. Another option is filing the form online. However, any documents they require still needs to be submitted by mail to USCIS.
Biometrics fee needs to be paid also for fingerprinting. If your application is complete, you will then be asked to report to your biometrics appointment at your local USCIS Application Support Center. Your record is then checked for any crimes.
You may be contacted by USCIS for more information. If you are experiencing any issues, an immigration attorney can answer any questions you might have.