Did you know U.S. immigration law requires permanent residents to carry a valid green card with them at all times? And even though U.S. permanent residence never expires, a green card does. This article will walk you through the green card renewal process.
How to Renew Green Card
If you are a permanent resident of the U.S. who needs to renew a U.S. green card you will need to complete the I-90 form with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The I-90 is not as complex as other immigration applications, but, like all immigration applications, making any mistakes could cause your form to be rejected. A rejected application means an even longer processing time. Nobody wants that.1
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Green Card Expiration Date
The expiration date of your green card is listed on the front of the card, below your date of birth. While most green cards expire every 10 years, there are conditional green cards that expire after only two years. Conditional green cards cannot be renewed; instead, you must apply to remove conditions on your residence. If your 10-year green card is already expired or will expire in the next six months, the USCIS recommends that you renew it. Below are examples of the two most recently issued green cards, with the expiration dates highlighted in a red box.
Green Card Renewal Form I-90
Form I-90 is the USCIS application to renew a green card. You should only use this application to renew your green card if:
- You have a 10-year green card
- It is already expired OR it will expire within the next 6 months.
If you have a 2-year conditional green card that is expiring soon, you should NOT file Form I-90 to receive a renewed green card. If your conditional green card is marriage based, you may find yourself eligible to file Form I-751 to remove conditions on your green card. If your conditional green card is investment-based, Form I-829 should be filed to remove conditions.1
Renew Green Card Online
It is possible to file your I-90 application online with the USCIS. However, the USCIS doesn’t provide much support to help you file correctly. The I-90 application is important and expensive ($540). You want to make sure you file it without mistakes.
For a small fee, online software services like www.us-immigration.com can help you complete your application properly. We also provide customer support to answer your technical and billing questions. Start preparing your green card renewal form online.
How Long Does It Take To Renew a Green Card
The processing times to renew a green card vary depending on where you file and the current USCIS backlog. To check current processing times, visit the USCIS website.
Green Card Renewal Fees
As of September 2018, you are required to submit a filing fee of $455 and most applicants must also submit a biometric services fee of $85.