How to Renew Your Green Card? : Green Card Renewal

1. What is a Green Card? (Introduction)

When you become a lawful permanent resident of the United States, you are issued a green card, officially known as a Lawful Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551, or an Alien Registration Receipt Card (ARC Card).

A green card serves as evidence of your status as a U.S. lawful permanent resident and confirms your right to live and work in the United States permanently.

The green card is a rectangular plastic card containing essential information about the permanent resident. On the front, it displays your photograph, full name, USCIS number, country of origin, date of birth, sex, signature, fingerprint, category of admission to the U.S., and other vital details.

Typically, a green card is valid for 10 years. Once the 10-year period expires, the green card will need to be renewed.

2. Why is it Important to Keep Your Green Card Valid at All Times?

The immigration laws are strict when it comes to the responsibility of a permanent resident to always possess a valid green card. According to the regulations, any lawful permanent resident who is 18 years of age or older must “carry and have in personal possession a certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card”—which is the green card itself. [INA Section 264(e); INA Section 264(d); AFM 51.1].

Failure to comply with this rule can lead to criminal charges, including fines or imprisonment.

For this reason, it is crucial for permanent residents to ensure that their green card remains valid at all times.

3. Reasons You May Need to Renew or Replace Your Green Card

You might need to renew or replace your green card for several reasons, including:

• Your green card has expired or will expire within the next 6 months.
• Your green card is lost, stolen, or damaged.
• You never received your green card after USCIS issued it.
• The green card is partially damaged.
• There is incorrect information on your green card due to an error by USCIS.
• Your name or other personal information on the green card has changed since it was issued.
• You are turning 14 years old (Green card holders under the age of 14 must apply for a new green card once they turn 14).
• You are a permanent resident who is obtaining commuter status (This is when you live in Canada or Mexico and work in the U.S.).
• You are a commuter returning to the U.S. to establish permanent residence.

4. What Are the Requirements for Green Card Renewal?

i. You Must Be a Lawful Permanent Resident
To apply for a green card renewal, you need to be a U.S. lawful permanent resident. Those holding a conditional green card (2-year green card holders) must apply separately to remove the conditions on their status, which is a different process from a standard renewal.

ii. You Must Complete Form I-90 with Supporting Documents and Fees
To initiate a green card renewal, you must file Form I-90 with the required documentation and pay the associated fees. More details on this process will be discussed below.

iii. You Must Attend a Biometrics Appointment
In many cases, you will be required to attend a biometrics appointment, where your digital fingerprints will be taken as part of the renewal process.

5. Green Card Renewal Process: A Comprehensive Guide to Renewing Your Green Card

Step 1: Determine the Reason for Your Green Card Renewal

Before starting the process of renewing your green card, the first step is to identify the reason for your renewal application. Are you renewing because your green card is about to expire, you’ve lost your card, or your name has changed since your last issuance? The reason for renewal will dictate the necessary documents, the applicable filing fees, and any additional requirements that apply to your case.

Step 2: Complete Form I-90 with Supporting Documents and Appropriate Fees

The next step is to submit Form I-90, the official application for a replacement Permanent Resident Card, to USCIS. This form can be submitted online or mailed in a physical copy. Be sure to include all necessary supporting documents and the correct filing fee.

Here are some helpful links:

• Form I-90
• I-90 USCIS Instructions

Step 3: Attend the Biometrics Appointment

Most applicants are required to attend a biometrics appointment where your fingerprints and other biometric data will be collected. This is a mandatory step, even if you’ve already had biometrics taken for a previous application.

6. Green Card Renewal Processing Time

The processing time for renewing your green card can vary. Here’s a breakdown of the typical timeline:

1. USCIS Receipt Notice (1 to 3 Weeks After Filing)
   After filing your application, USCIS will send you a receipt notice confirming the application has been received. This notice will contain a unique receipt number that can be used to track your case status via the USCIS Case Status Checker.

2. Biometrics Appointment Notice (4 to 6 Weeks After Filing)
   Following the receipt notice, USCIS will send you a biometrics appointment notice. This document includes details about your appointment, such as the date and location, along with instructions for rescheduling if necessary.

3. Biometrics Appointment (6 to 8 Weeks After Filing)
   Your biometrics appointment will typically occur 2 weeks after you receive the appointment notice. Be sure to bring a valid ID and the appointment notice itself.

4. Issuance of New Green Card (6 to 10 Months After Filing)
   After the biometrics appointment, USCIS will continue to process your application and, assuming all is in order, issue your new green card. If there are any issues with your application, such as an error or missing information, USCIS may request additional evidence, which could delay the process.

For the latest processing times, check the USCIS Processing Times page by entering the form number (I-90).

7. Can You Expedite the Green Card Renewal Process?

In specific cases, USCIS allows for the expedited processing of a green card renewal. You can view the expedite criteria on the USCIS website. Note that USCIS has complete discretion over whether or not to expedite a case, and decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.

Reasons USCIS may expedite your case include:

• Emergencies
• Significant financial loss
• Humanitarian concerns
• USCIS errors
• National interest

8. Documents to Submit with Green Card Renewal Application

The documents you need to submit will depend on your situation. It’s essential to ensure that the correct paperwork is included, as submitting the wrong or incomplete documents can cause delays or result in a denial. If you’re uncertain about which documents to submit, it’s a good idea to consult with an immigration attorney.

Some general guidelines for required documents:

• Current Green Card: Submit a copy of both the front and back of your existing green card. If your green card contains errors due to USCIS mistakes, you must send the original card, not a copy.
• Lost or Stolen Green Card: If your green card was lost or stolen, you may need to submit a government-issued ID (such as a driver’s license) or the identification page of your passport.
• Evidence of Changed Information: If your green card contains outdated information (e.g., due to a name change), submit the relevant legal documentation, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court-issued documents.

9. Green Card Renewal Filing Fees

There are two primary fees associated with renewing your green card:

• I-90 Filing Fee: $455
• Biometric Services Fee: $85

However, there are some cases where one or both fees may be waived. Always check the I-90 instructions to ensure you are submitting the correct fees. Failing to pay the correct amount will result in your application being rejected.

Situations where both fees are required:

• Lost, stolen, or destroyed green card
• Expiring or expired green card
• Name or biographical data change
• You’re turning 14 years old, and your current green card will expire before you turn 16

Situations where the biometric fee is required but the I-90 filing fee is not:

• If you turn 14 years old and your current green card will expire after your 16th birthday

Situations where neither fee is required:

• Green card issued but never received (returned to USCIS as undeliverable)
• Incorrect data on green card due to USCIS error

10. Green Card Renewal Tips and Pointers

Follow Instructions Carefully
While this may seem obvious, it’s crucial to follow the instructions carefully. Immigration forms must be completed accurately. Double-check that you have filled out the I-90 correctly, included all required documents, and attached the correct fees. Any mistakes can cause delays or denials.

Have You Had Legal Issues?
If you’ve been arrested in the past, even if the charges were dropped or you were not convicted, it could affect your renewal process. Even if it hasn’t been an issue before, an arrest could come up during your green card renewal process. If this applies to you, seek advice from an immigration attorney before you submit your application.

11. Conclusion

As a U.S. permanent resident, your green card serves as proof of your lawful status in the country. Green cards are valid for 10 years, after which they need to be renewed. To do so, submit Form I-90, the necessary supporting documents, and the appropriate fees.

If you need assistance with your green card renewal, feel free to contact me at abbas@espadaimmigration.com. I’m here to help you through the process.

Resources

• USCIS: I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card
• Form I-90
• I-90 Instructions
• USCIS: Check Case Processing Times
• USCIS Expedite Criteria