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How to Renew Green Card

Whether you have received your green card through the D.V Program, family, special employment, or even through asylum, your green card will expire.
In fact, so long as you are the holder of the Permanent Resident Card, then you need to know more about when and how to renew it. If your Green card is not renewed it will poses several challenges because you will be unable to travel out of the United States as well as not being able to work.
To prevent you from having any complications with your green card the following topics below discuss the renewal process.

Green Card Expiration

Many Permanent Residents green cards expire without them being aware. The fact is, it is very easy for expired green card to go unnoticed because some people do not check the status of their green card frequently. However, it is a requirement of the US Department of State for all permanent residents to have a valid green card in their possession always.

Therefore, it is important to remember that:

  • As a legal permanent resident your green card will expire within ten years and can take five to six months to be renewed.
  • We recommend that you start the green card renewal process six months before the expiry date if you are in the United States.
  • If you are the holder of a green card that was issued in the 1970’s and 1980’s your green card may not have an expiration date. Therefore, you need to renew it immediately!
  • If you are a conditional permanent resident, meaning, you were granted a 2-year green card because of marriage to a US citizen or permanent resident, your green card cannot be renewed.

Your Green card should also be renewed if:

  • it was lost or stolen
  • Printed with incorrect data
  • Changes to name or biometric information

Your green card can also become invalid due to the following reasons:

  • Absence from the United States for over 364 days without any approval
  • Immigration law violation
  • Becomes a citizen of the United States
  • Giving up your green card status voluntarily
Note that, as a Permanent Resident, the expiration of a green card will not affect your status because your status will remain as a lawful permanent resident forever.

How Can I Renew My Green Card If I’m Outside the United States?

If you are outside the United States and your green card expires you will need to contact the US Consular in the country that you are located before attempting to file a green card renewal case.
However, if you are outside the United States and your green card will expire within six months but you plan to return to the United States within a year you can file for a renewal as soon as you return to the United States.

How Long Does the Green Card Renewal Process Takes?

The green card renewal process can take as long as four to five months, or less, in some cases. After you have submitted your I-90 Form with all the required documents, you will receive a letter from the USCIS requesting that you get a biometrics appointment. You will then pay your biometrics fee.
If your application is approved your new green card will be mailed to you. However, if your application is denied you will receive a letter from the USCIS explaining the reason or reasons why your green card renewal was denied.
You cannot appeal a negative decision, but you can submit a motion by asking the USCIS to re-consider their decisions. You must provide valid reasons and facts to support your motion.

Can My Green Card Renewal Be Denied?

Your green card renewal can be denied for reasons such as:

  • False Information on application – you submitted false information on your Form I-90. It is against the law to knowingly lie to the USCIS officers, so be truthful.
  • Order Removal – although you have a Permanent Resident status you can be ordered to be removed from the United States for several reasons and therefore your green card renewal will be denied.
  • Criminal Activities – If you have committed a crime that is consider deportable, then your green card renewal will be denied. If you are not sure about the nature of the crime committed it’s best to seek professional advice before submitting Form I-90 to USCIS.

Can My Green Card Be Renewed online?

You can submit the Form I-90 application for your Green Card renewal online. However, if you want to remove the conditions on your green card or if you want to apply for a waiver you cannot submit an online application.
You can also check the status of your application online through your USCIS online account. This will enable you to frequently check the status of your green card, get notifications and updates, respond to requests, and manage your contact information.

Can My Green Card Renewal Be Denied?

You have been issued a conditional permanent green card that has certain conditions. It is valid for only two years and cannot be renewed. However, you can convert it into a permanent green by:
  • completing form I-751 petition to remove condition of resident if your green card is based on marriage, or
  • completing form I-829 petition by entrepreneurs to remove conditions if your green card is based on employment.
The completed form must be submitted to the USCIS within three months before the conditional resident card expires.

Let Us Help

If you are unsure and need assistance to renew your green card, we can help! Our highly trained immigration professionals will guide you through the process so that you reduce the chance of getting your green card renewal denied. Contact us now!

MYUSGC website is a private entity and is not a governmental agency.

It is not affiliated with the US Government and provides a review and submission services that requires a fees.

The cost of the program depends on 3 parameters: Program type, Customer profile and number of family members.

You can apply to the D.V program with no charge on the Government site:

http://www.uscis.gov/greencard