Green Card Renewal Guide

A Green Card, officially known as a Permanent Resident Card, is proof of a person’s lawful permanent resident status in the United States. While permanent residence itself does not expire, the card does. To remain valid evidence of your status and to ensure you can work, travel, and access government services without difficulty, it is necessary to renew your Green Card when required.

What this article is about: This guide explains the process of renewing a Green Card in the United States. It covers who needs to renew, how the renewal process works, what forms and documents are required, updated fees, expected processing times, and practical issues such as travel while your application is pending. It also highlights common mistakes to avoid and what to do if your Green Card is lost, stolen, or expired.

Section A: Understanding Green Card Renewal

A Green Card is the physical proof of a person’s lawful permanent resident status in the United States. While the immigration status itself does not expire, the card must be renewed to remain valid as evidence of that status. This is particularly important because the Green Card is required for re-entry to the United States after travel abroad, for employment verification through Form I‑9, and for accessing a number of government benefits and services.

Green Cards are generally issued with a 10‑year validity period. Renewal is necessary once this period comes to an end. The renewal process also applies when a Green Card is lost, stolen, damaged, or contains incorrect information, such as a misspelled name or an outdated photograph.

Failing to renew a Green Card on time can cause significant practical problems. For example, you may face difficulties proving your lawful permanent resident status to employers or immigration officials, encounter problems when travelling internationally, or risk complications when applying for citizenship. While you do not lose permanent resident status simply because your card expires, not having valid evidence of that status can create legal and logistical issues.

Section A Summary

Green Card renewal is not about extending your lawful permanent resident status, but about maintaining valid proof of that status. Renewal ensures you can continue to travel, work, and prove your legal right to live in the United States without interruption.

Section B: Eligibility & Requirements

Not every situation requires a Green Card renewal, but lawful permanent residents must understand when they are eligible and when alternative processes apply.

Who can apply for Green Card renewal

Any individual holding lawful permanent resident status with a standard 10‑year Green Card should renew it when it expires or becomes invalid. This applies whether you have lived continuously in the United States or have spent periods abroad, provided you have maintained your permanent resident status.

When renewal is not applicable

Some categories cannot use the routine Green Card renewal route and must follow different procedures:

• Conditional Green Card holders (2‑year cards): You must remove conditions rather than renew. File Form I‑751 (marriage‑based) or Form I‑829 (investor) during the 90‑day window before your conditional card expires.
• Naturalised US citizens: Once you become a US citizen, your Green Card is no longer valid or needed; use a US passport to evidence your status.

Age‑14 update rule: If you turn 14 and your current Green Card was issued before your 14th birthday, you must replace it unless it will expire before you turn 16. If it will expire before 16, you can wait and renew on normal expiry.

Valid reasons for renewal or replacement

• Your 10‑year Green Card expires within the next 6 months or has already expired.
• Your card has been lost, stolen, damaged, destroyed, or was issued but never received.
• Your card contains incorrect or outdated information (for example, a name change due to marriage or divorce) or an outdated photograph.
• You have reached age 14 and your existing card was issued before your 14th birthday, and it will not expire before your 16th birthday.

In all cases above, you apply using Form I‑90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card).

Section B Summary

Eligibility to renew focuses on holding a standard 10‑year Green Card. Conditional residents must remove conditions via I‑751 or I‑829 within the 90‑day pre‑expiry window, and naturalised citizens no longer require a Green Card. Renew or replace your card when it is expiring, missing, damaged, inaccurate, or when the age‑14 rule applies, so you maintain valid proof of your permanent resident status.

Section C: The Renewal Process

Renewing a Green Card is done through an application to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The process involves completing paperwork, paying the required fee, submitting supporting evidence, and attending a biometrics appointment.

1. Completing Form I-90

The central step in renewal is filing Form I-90, officially titled Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. This form is used both for renewals and replacements. It requires details of your identity, immigration history, and the reason for renewal. Accuracy is vital, as errors can delay processing or cause rejection.

2. Filing options: online or paper

You may submit Form I-90 in two ways:

• Online: Through a USCIS online account, allowing you to complete the form electronically, upload documents, pay fees, and track your case.
• Paper form: By mailing a completed Form I-90 to the correct USCIS lockbox.

Online filing is usually faster and gives more transparent case tracking.

3. Fees and payment

As of 2025, the filing fee is $455 plus a $85 biometrics fee, making a total of $540. Payment can be made online by card or electronic transfer, or by cheque or money order if filing by post. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances, such as financial hardship.

4. Supporting documents

The documents you must include depend on your reason for renewal, but may include:

• A copy of your current or expired Green Card.
• A government-issued photo ID if your card has been lost, stolen, or not received.
• A police report or sworn statement if your Green Card was stolen.
• Legal evidence of a name change (e.g. marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order).

5. Biometrics appointment

Once USCIS has accepted your application, you will be scheduled for a biometrics appointment at your nearest Application Support Center (ASC). There your fingerprints, photo, and signature are collected for identity and background checks. Attendance is mandatory; missing this appointment without rescheduling can lead to denial of your application.

Section C Summary

The renewal process centres on filing Form I-90 with the $540 fee and correct supporting evidence. Applications may be made online or on paper, and you must attend a biometrics appointment. Timely and accurate submission is key to avoiding delays or denials.

Section D: Timelines, Travel & Practical Issues

After you have submitted Form I-90 and attended your biometrics appointment, you should understand how USCIS processes your case and how to manage your status while awaiting the new Green Card.

1. Processing times

Green Card renewal typically takes several months. USCIS publishes average processing times, but real-world cases may vary depending on workload and circumstances. Most renewals are decided within 6–12 months, though some may take longer.

2. Receipt notices and proof of status

When USCIS accepts your Form I-90, you receive a Form I-797C receipt notice. This document not only confirms receipt but also automatically extends the validity of your Green Card for 24 months. This ensures you continue to have lawful evidence of your permanent residence while your application is pending.

3. Temporary evidence (I-551 stamp)

If you need urgent proof of permanent residence — for example, for international travel or employment verification — you can request an I-551 stamp in your passport at a USCIS field office. This stamp acts as temporary evidence of your status until your new Green Card is issued.

4. Travelling abroad during renewal

It is possible to travel internationally while your renewal is pending if you carry your expired Green Card together with the I-797C receipt notice extending its validity. However, re-entry may involve additional scrutiny by Customs and Border Protection officers. Where possible, avoid unnecessary travel until your new Green Card arrives.

5. Common delays and mistakes

Common problems include incomplete or inaccurate forms, missing fees, and failure to supply the right supporting evidence. Missing your biometrics appointment or ignoring a USCIS request for evidence (RFE) can also significantly delay your case. Careful preparation and prompt compliance help reduce delays.

Section D Summary

Green Card renewal takes time, but the 24-month automatic extension on your receipt notice ensures you remain covered. An I-551 stamp can provide additional evidence if needed. While you can travel with your receipt notice, it is safer to minimise international travel until your new card is issued, and avoiding errors in your application helps prevent delays.

FAQs

Can I renew my Green Card after it expires?

Yes. Even if your Green Card has expired, you can still file Form I-90. You remain a lawful permanent resident, but without a valid card you may struggle to prove your status for work, travel, or government purposes.

What if I lost my Green Card?

If your Green Card is lost or stolen, file Form I-90 promptly. Include another government-issued photo ID and, if applicable, a police report confirming the theft. This ensures you regain valid proof of your status as quickly as possible.

Can I travel while waiting for my renewal?

Yes, provided you carry your expired Green Card and the I-797C receipt notice extending its validity. For urgent or high-risk travel, you may also obtain an I-551 stamp from USCIS as stronger temporary evidence of status.

Do I need a lawyer for Green Card renewal?

Most renewals are straightforward and do not require a lawyer. However, legal advice is advisable if you have complicating factors such as prior removal proceedings, criminal convictions, long absences from the US, or potential abandonment of permanent residence.

How long does it take to renew a Green Card?

USCIS usually processes renewals within 6–12 months. Your I-797C receipt notice extends your Green Card for 24 months, ensuring you have lawful proof of status throughout the process.

Conclusion

Renewing a Green Card is about maintaining valid proof of your permanent resident status, not extending the status itself. A current Green Card is essential for employment verification, international travel, and access to government services without disruption.

The process requires filing Form I-90 with the $540 fee, submitting accurate supporting documents, and attending a biometrics appointment. While processing often takes several months, the 24-month automatic extension provided by the I-797C receipt notice, and the option of an I-551 stamp, mean you remain covered while waiting.

By preparing carefully, submitting accurate forms, and renewing on time, you can avoid unnecessary issues with employment, travel, or future immigration applications.

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