An Overview of the Green Card Renewal Process

All green cards issued since 1989 have an expiration date on the front and are generally valid for 10 years. You should renew your green card by submitting Form I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card.

Renewal requirements

You should submit your application if your green card has expired or will expire within the next 6 months. Only green cards issued since 1989 have an expiration date and must be renewed. Your status as a lawful permanent resident will not be affected if you do not renew your green but you will face difficulty proving your status as a lawful permanent resident, getting employment, re-entering the US, etc. You are required by law to carry evidence of your immigration status. Green cards issued between 1979 and 1988 do not have an expiration date and need not be renewed. However the USCIS is likely to introduce new rules on the renewal of green cards issued between 1979 and 1988.

Application

You must submit an application to renew your green card on Form I-90. You must provide the following information:

• Your name
• Your address in the US
• Your date, place and country of birth
• Alien registration number
• US Social Security Number
• Class of admission
• Your mother’s name
• Your father’s name
• City of residence where you applied for an immigrant visa or adjustment of status
• Consulate where immigrant visa was issued or USCIS office where status was adjusted

If you have filed a Form I-407, Abandonment by Alien of Status as Lawful Permanent Resident, or otherwise been determined to have abandoned your status, you must provide a detailed explanation.

You must submit a copy of your expiring or expired green card along with Form I-90. If your name has changed since the issuance of your green card, you must submit evidence of your name change – court order, marriage certificate, adoption decree, etc.

Processing

You must submit the completed Form I-90 along with the required documents and a fee of $290 to the USCIS office having jurisdiction over your place of residence in the US. You must also pay a biometrics fee of $80. You can pay both fees by a single check or two separate checks. The USCIS may contact you for more information or call you for an interview. If your Form I-90 is complete, you will receive a letter from the USCIS asking you to go to the local USCIS Application Support Center (ASC) for your biometrics appointment. If you do not provide your biometric information, your application will be denied. The USCIS will notify you about its decision in writing.

Getting Legal Help   

Consult with an experienced US immigration attorney if you want to renew your green card. The attorney can assist you with the process.