Providing Guidance For Green Card Renewal
A green card, also known as a permanent residency card, allows you to work and live permanently in the United States. However, green cards are only valid for 10 years, and, while your permanent residency status won’t expire, your green card will.
How To Renew Your Green Card
If your green card has expired or is about to expire within the next six months, then it’s time to get it renewed. Failing to renew your green card can make it difficult to prove your citizenship status, which then makes it hard to get employment or reenter the U.S. after traveling internationally. On top of that, you’re legally required to carry a valid ID that proves your residency status, and an expired green card won’t count.
If you’re wondering how to renew a green card, then we’re here to help. Throughout this post, we’ll go over the green card renewal process so that you can complete the application successfully. If you have any questions throughout, our immigration law attorneys at Consumer Law Group are here to help.
When To Renew Your Green Card
If you’re a permanent resident in the U.S., then you should renew your green card if it has expired or is about to expire within the next six months. While some green cards don’t contain an expiration date, most are only valid for 10 years. If you’ve reached this point or are about to, it’s time to begin the permanent resident card renewal process.
However, there are certain scenarios in which you might have to renew your green card sooner. If your green card is only valid for two years, then it means you’re a conditional resident. If you fall under this category, then you will need to file a petition to remove the conditions within 90 days before your conditional green card expires. Additionally, if your child received a green card before the age of 14, then they will also need to replace their card when they turn 14 years old.
Lastly, if any of your personal information, such as your address, has changed or your green card was lost, stolen or damaged, then you will need to get a replacement.
Eligibility Criteria
In order to renew your green card, you need to meet certain eligibility criteria. As previously stated, there are two types of residency: permanent residency and conditional residency.
A lawful permanent resident is allowed to live and work permanently in the United States and is issued a valid green card for 10 years. A conditional permanent resident is also allowed to live and work permanently in the United States but is given a green card that is only valid for two years. In most cases, conditional permanent residencies are given when a marriage is less than two years old to ensure an immigrant didn’t get married just to evade U.S. immigration laws.
Below are the eligibility criteria for both permanent residents and conditional permanent residents.
An individual is eligible to renew their permanent resident green card in the following situations:
- Your green card has expired or is about to expire in the next six months.
- Your old card was misplaced, stolen, mutilated or destroyed.
- You received your card before the age of 14 and have now turned 14 (unless your card expires before the age of 16).
- You’ve been a commuter for a while and are now taking up actual residence in the United States.
- You have been a permanent resident of the United States and are now taking up commuter status.
- Your status has been automatically transferred to permanent resident status (this involves special agricultural worker applicants transitioning to permanent resident status).
- You have an older version of the Alien Registration Card – such as a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Form AR-3, Form AR-103 or Form I-151, which are no longer valid – that must be replaced with a new green card to prove your immigration status.
- The information on your card is incorrect or outdated.
- You have legally changed your name or other biographic information since you last received your card.
- The previous card USCIS sent you was never delivered.
An individual is eligible to renew their conditional permanent resident green card in the following situations:
- Your old card was lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed.
- The information on your card is incorrect or outdated.
- Since you last received your card, you have legally changed your name or other biographic information.
- The previous card USCIS sent you was never delivered.
How To File
Once you’ve determined whether you’re eligible to renew your green card, our attorneys will go over how to renew a green card. USCIS green card renewal can be filed online, by paper or in person. When renewing your green card, you must fill out Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (Green Card). Once you complete the application, you’ll be able to file for green card renewal. Below is how to renew a green card with each method.
File Online
To renew a green card online, follow these steps:
- Create a USCIS online account, or, if you already have an account, sign in.
- Electronically submit evidence and pay fees.
- Receive case status alerts and a full case history.
- Communicate with USCIS in a secure and direct manner.
- Respond to requests for evidence.
File By Paper
If you prefer communicating through mail, you can also file your Form I-90 renewal by paper. To do so, follow these steps:
- Review the instructions for Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card.
- Complete and sign your Form I-90.
- Pay the filing fee, if applicable.
- Provide all required evidence and supporting documentation.
Once complete, you can mail your application to the following address:
U.S. Postal Service (USPS):
USCIS
P.O. Box 21262
Phoenix, AZ 85036
FedEx, UPS and DHL deliveries:
USCIS
Attention: I-90
1820 E. Sky Harbor, Circle S, Floor 1
Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85034
File In Person
Renewing your green card in person can be a daunting task, especially since so much may be on the line. If you’re not comfortable renewing your green card yourself, you can seek help from a trusted immigration law attorney. At Consumer Law Group, our immigration lawyers are well versed in immigration law and can help you throughout the green card renewal process. When working with us, we can create a USCIS account to manage your Form I-90 application so that you can have peace of mind that there won’t be mistakes that will lead to a rejection or a loss of your filing fee. To get started, contact us today and review our testimonials to see why our clients choose Consumer Law Group to help them with the immigration process.
How Long Does It Take To Renew A Green Card?
There’s no set time frame for how long it takes to renew a green card. However, most permanent residents find that it takes between seven and 11 months for their green card to be renewed. It’s important to remember that delays can happen if an application has mistakes or missing information, which is why it’s recommended that you work with an immigration lawyer to ensure that your green card renewal application is completed correctly. At Consumer Law Group, we focus on each client’s background, needs and goals to determine the best course of action.
Green Card Renewal Costs And Forms
Most permanent residents will be required to pay a filing fee when applying for green card renewal. The filing fee for the Form I-90 application is $455. In some cases, you may be required to take a biometrics test, which will cost an additional $85. The filing fee and biometric services fee are both nonrefundable, which is why it’s important to do your due diligence to ensure that your application is completed correctly so that you can avoid rejection and loss of your fee. These fees can only be made via check, money orders or online and should be made payable (in the exact amount) to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Additionally, applicants must complete Form I-90 with a valid signature. This form will ask for specific information, such as:
- Your name
- Your U.S. address
- The place, date and country of your birth
- Alien Registration Number
- Social Security number
- Reason for application
- Class of admission
- Date of admission
- Your parents’ names
- City of residence where you submitted your application for an immigrant visa or adjustment of status
- Consulate or USCIS office where your visa was issued or adjusted
- Copy of your expiring or expired green card
- Applicable evidence, such as proof of a name change, address change, etc.
To learn how to renew a green card, contact our immigration lawyers at Consumer Law Group. They are dedicated to ensuring that your green card renewal application is filled out completely and correctly to help you get approved.
Looking To Renew Your Green Card?
Contact our experienced immigration attorneys for help now by reaching out online or calling 312-766-7777.