If your green card will expire in the next six months, or if your green card is lost, stolen, or damaged, you’ll need to renew your green card so that you can be sent a brand new green card that you can carry with you at all times. Green card renewal begins when you complete USCIS Form I-90. You can obtain the latest version of this form online, along with detailed instructions for completing the form.
You can check to see whether you need to file USCIS Form I-90 by looking at the front of your green card. If your green card no longer contains accurate information or is damaged so that it cannot be viewed clearly, you will need to renew your green card. If the expiry date on the front of your US green card is six months away or fewer than six months away, you’ll want to file USCIS Form I-90 to ensure that you get your new green card in time.
If the expiry date on your green card has already passed, you can still renew your green card by filing USCIS Form I-90 online or through a paper application. In fact, if your green card is already expired it is strongly recommended that you file for a green card renewal right away. Failure to carry around a valid US Green card can be considered a misdemeanor. You do not want to have trouble leaving or entering the US because you have not renewed your green card.
In some cases, outdated forms of green cards do not have expiry dates. If you have this type of green card, you’ll still want to apply to renew your green card. Even though your green card does not have an expiry date, updating to the newer green card allows you to enjoy more security features on your card and helps you prevent some problems. For example, if you’re entering and leaving the United States, border security may question an older card. Having the latest form of green card is in your best interests.
Once you file Form I-90, it can take six months or more for your new green card to arrive. In some cases, it can take up to twelve months. However, you can get temporary documentation while awaiting your new green card. This documentation should be carried on your person at all times, as it can help prove your residency status and can help you leave and reenter the United States as a permanent resident.
