Continue living for that American dream without losing your legal status. If your green card is nearing its expiration date or has been lost or damaged, then you can renew green card through Form I 90. Having your green card legalizes and at the same time provides evidence of your status in the United States. As you must already know, it is not merely a card, but a document towards your dream of a better life.
Learn in this comprehensive guide everything you need to know about green card renewal, including requirements, documentation, application process, fee, and processing time.
Who Needs Form I-90?
Green card renewal is required for individuals who fall under the following categories:
- Lawful permanent residents whose green card is expiring or has already expired.
- Individuals with lost, stolen, or disfigured green cards.
- Individuals who want to update information on their green card, such as a legal name change.
Note: If you hold a conditional green card, then you don’t need to renew green card. Instead, you are required to remove conditions to legally transition your 2-year conditional green to 10-year green card through the form I-751 (for marriage-based) or form I-829 (for investor based). Learn how you can file the Form I-751 – here.
Required Documents for Renewal of Green Card
For the application for green card renewal, you must file the form I 90 to the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services), along with the supporting documents.
- Green Card Copy: Scan to upload copy of your expired or current permanent resident card.
- Photo Identification: A photo ID generated by a recognized government source, like a passport or a driver’s license.
- Name Change Documents: If you changed your name after obtaining the green card, you must provide certified copies of your legal proof, such as marriage certificate or civil name change court order.
- Police Report (if required): In case your green card is lost or stolen, it’s advisable to file a police report immediately and include this report in your application package.
- Additional Documents (as required): Depending upon your specific category, you may need to submit additional documents.
How to Renew Green Card – Complete Application Process
The complete application process to renew your green card is as follows:
- Application Window: Typically, you are required to file your application for green card renewal up to 6 months before the expiration of your current green card.
- Form I-90: You must visit the Official USCIS Portal.Create a new account or log in to your existing account and select the form I90. Fill the application form.
- Compile Documents: Gather the necessary documents. If you are filing online, then upload clear scanned copies of the documents. If you are submitting via mail, then you should prepare an application package.
- Submission & Fees: Submit the application online or via mail. Pay the applicable filing fee.
- Receipt Notice: After filing, you will receive Form I-797C receipt notice. This notice automatically extends the validity of your green card to 36 more months while your application is being processed.
- Biometrics Appointment (If scheduled): You might have to attend a biometrics appointment, as directed by the USCIS, to submit your fingerprints and photo.
- Approval: If your case is approved, you will receive your new green card.
Green Card Renewal Processing Time
After submission of the application for green card renewal, typically, it takes around 2 to 12 months for the processing. However, the processing time is subject to change based on factors such as applicant’s category, documentation, immigration history, office backlogs, etc.
When Should You File Form I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card
The application window for filing the form opens 6 months before your current green card expires. An application filed before then would be rejected.
If your green card has already expired, you can still file I 90. However, it is advised that you apply for renewal as soon as you can.
Form I-90 Fee
The filing fee for form I90 is as follows:
Online submissions – $415
Paper submissions – $465
Exceptions for the Filing Fee ($0)
You are exempt from filing fee if:
- You are turning 14 years old and your card will expire after you turn 16 years old.
- Your card was approved and issued by the USCIS but never delivered to you.
- Your card contains an error caused by the authorities’ mistake.
- You have an approved fee waiver that you must file through Form I-912.
How to Check Your Form I-90 Application Status
The application status of renewal of your green card can be checked online on the USCIS portal. Follow the steps given below to check your application status:
- Check Receipt Number: Your receipt number can be found on the Form I-797C Notice of Action, which is of 13 characters.
- Visit the Portal: Visit the official USCIS Caste Status tool.
- Enter the Number: Type your 13-character receipt number into the correspondence tracker.
What If Your Green Card Expires While Your Renewal Is Pending?
If your green card expires while the application for renewal of green card is still pending, your underlying permanent resident status does not expire.
- Automatic Extension: When the I-90 form is filed, the green card owner will receive the Form I-797C notice of action in a couple of weeks which extends the validity of the green card for 36 months post its original expiration date.
- Combined Proof: In order to show that your residency status is valid, you need to carry I-797C in addition to the expired green card.
- Legal Status: With both expired green card and your notice of action, you can prove your legal status in the US as a lawful permanent resident. You can work, travel, live and re-enter the US.
Common Reasons for Form I-90 Rejections
When applicants apply on their own to renew green card, many mistakes lead to delays and even rejection of the application. To avoid such, you should consider these points:
- Use of form Version that is obsolete: Filling in the form I 90 in the older version instead of the newest edition as present on the USCIS portal.
- Transgressing Immigration Laws: If you have been violating immigration rules during your time as a resident, it may raise serious issues.
- Improper Filing: You have filed under the category different from what fits your reason for applying for renewal.
- Abandonment of Residence: You have spent time out of the country continuously, usually for longer than a year, without having applied for a re-entry permit.
- Breaking the Law: You have been tried or found guilty during your residency and it can impact your status.
- Not Signing Application Pages: You skip to sign the application pages wherever it is necessary.
Need Help with the Application for Green Card Renewal?
As stated above, applicants applying on their own for renewal tend to make mistakes that can cost their legal status in the US. What is more, with recent increased scrutiny around immigration in the US, it becomes highly important that you apply correctly, leaving no chances for delays or rejection. Documitra can help you with this. We have a team of professionals with years of experience in documentation and immigration services. We ensure your application is correct in every step of the way and is reviewed by an expert.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you are able to apply for the renewal of your green card even if it has already expired. Having an expired green card means you do not have documented evidence to show your legal status. However, it does not mean that you are no longer a legal permanent resident of the United States.
After filing the form, within a few weeks you will receive form I-797C Notice of Action. This notice automatically extends the validity of your green card for 36 months beyond the expiration date of your current green card. You may be asked by the USCIS to submit your biometrics at an authorized application center. Then, after the processing time, if approved, you will receive your new green card via mail.
Yes, you can legally work, live, study and travel in the US while the application for renewal of your green card is pending. To have documented proof, you should carry your expired green card and your form I-797C.
It usually takes 2 to 12 months for the USCIS to process your application. Having said that, the processing time is subject to change depending on factors, such as office backlogs, applicant’s category, missing documents, etc.
The official filing fee of the Form I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card is $415 for online submissions and $465 for paper submissions.
You can renew your green card entirely online by applying through form I90 to USCIS. First, visit the official USCIS website, select form I90, fill out the application, attach the necessary documents, and pay the fees.
You can check the application status online on the USCIS Case Status tool. There you have to provide the 13-character receipt number and you can check the status live. The receipt number you can find in the Form I-797C.
