Renewing an Expired Green Card (Form I-90)

If your 10-year green card is set to expire within the next 6 months, or has already expired, you must file to renew using Form I-90. Maintaining a valid, unexpired green card is critical and provides proof that the holder is in legal status, can live and work lawfully in the United States, and re-enter the country after travel abroad with ease.

Green card renewal is a four-step process:

1.     Prepare Form I-90 requesting the renewal of your expired or expiring card;

2.     Gather the required supporting documents to support your petition;

3.     Prepare the requisite USCIS filing fees; and

4.     Submit the application, supporting documents and USCIS filing fees to the appropriate USCIS service center for processing.

Green Card Renewal Processing Time:

Once USCIS receives your renewal application and Service will issue a receipt notice with an associated case number need to track case status at www.uscis.gov.  Processing may take from 3 – 12 months depending on relative volume.

When to Renew Your Green Card:

Permanent residents with a 10-year green card generally should apply for renewal immediately if their card is already expired or within 6 months of expiration. Be mindful of your green card’s expiration date so you can plan to meet renewal requirements, especially if you plan to travel abroad. Having an expired green card can prevent you from re-entering the United States or maintaining employment authorization.

Necessary Documentation for Green Card Renewal

In most cases, you only need to show your expired or soon-to-be-expired green card, but if it was lost, stolen or damaged, you may need to provide additional supporting documentation.

What to Expect after Applying

USCIS will notify you by mail when they’ve accepted your renewal application. The letter will include a 13-character receipt number that you’ll be able to use to check the status of your renewal application. Within 1–2 weeks after USCIS receives your application, you should also expect to receive notice of a scheduled date for your biometrics appointment. The USCIS receipt notice will serve as proof of your extended status allowing for continued work authorization and international travel while the application is in process.