You’ll likely need a new permanent resident card after ten (10) years of residing in the country. Although having an expired Green Card is not enough to render your stay in the nation illegal, it is still preferable to obtain a new one as soon as possible if you wish to be able to move freely within and outside of the country and readily demonstrate your status.
Continue reading if you want to learn how to renew your Green Card. We will guide you through each step necessary to obtain a fresh, legitimate Green Card from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Renewing a Green Card
Although the USCIS mandates that you be present for the biometrics appointment, you can renew your Green Card online or by mail. The application form must be sent together with photocopies of your old documents, and the process is rather simple.
But first, when can you submit an application for renewing your Green Card?
When Should Your Green Card Be Renewed?
In the following cases, you may submit an application to replace a Green Card, according to the USCIS:
- Your Green Card has been lost, stolen, or damaged.
- Your info needs to be corrected.
- Your Green Card expires in 6 months or has already expired.
- You never got the Green Card you requested.
- Your name has been officially changed.
You may submit as many applications as necessary, but if your card was misplaced or stolen, you need to provide a thorough statement outlining the reasons. In addition, regular requests for a replacement could lead to suspicions of Green Card fraud, making it challenging to renew.
Generally speaking, you should submit your application as soon as possible, ideally six months before the expiration date. Although your status as a permanent resident has not changed, any government organization may demand that you show a current Green Card as proof.
Requirements for Renewing a Green Card
You must fulfill a few requirements in addition to being an existing legal permanent resident of the U.S. before you can renew your Green Card in any of the circumstances above:
- You did not commit a crime that makes you subject to deportation
- You’ve paid your taxes on time
- You haven’t spent more than twelve months living abroad
If any of them apply to your current circumstance, you can submit a Green Card renewal application.
How to Submit an Application to Renew a Green Card
Obtaining Form I-90, which is available on the USCIS website, is the first step in submitting an application for a Green Card renewal. Once completed, you must attach the pertinent documents to your scenario.
Before mailing everything in, you must first pay the Green Card renewal cost using one of the accepted methods. For authorization of credit card transactions, you can utilize Form G-1450 or a money order, personal check, or cashier’s check made payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security”.
The total cost of the Green Card renewal is presently $540. The first one has a filing charge of $455 and a biometrics fee of $85. If you can show documentation, you can be eligible for a fee waiver in case of financial hardship. However, official sources are vague about what constitutes acceptable proof of financial hardship.
After mailing everything to the nearby USCIS office, you will receive an ASC Appointment Notice (Form I-797C) informing you of the scheduled time of your biometrics appointment You must submit 2 (two) 2 x 2 inch Green Card photographs, register your fingerprints, and sign documents at that time.
They will conduct a background check on you at this point. This is typically only a formality for the renewal, but if you have any reason to think you might encounter issues, speak with an immigration law company before the appointment.
The Green Card will need to be renewed after this stage of the procedure is finished, which might take six weeks to a year.
Online Renewal of a Green Card
On the USCIS website, you can also finish the Green Card renewal procedure online if you’d like. However, you must first register a USCIS online profile if you don’t already have one. After that, you can log in and finish the online Green Card renewal form.
You will be led to the payment screen once you have entered all the necessary data. All popular credit and debit cards are accepted. The renewal of your Green Card will now continue as if you had mailed your application.
What Paperwork is Required for My Green Card Renewal?
To apply for a Green Card renewal, you may need to provide various supporting documents, depending on your circumstances. You must send in a duplicate of each side of your current Green Card if it has already expired or will expire soon.
If your card is damaged, lost, or stolen, you must affix another official identification. Your picture, full name, birth date, and signature are required on this form. Include a letter outlining the specifics of what transpired with your Green Card.
If you have yet to receive your new card, you must also present a copy of the most recent Form I-797 you acquired or a photocopy of the passport page with the I-551 stamp and a government-issued ID.
If a mistake exists on your current Green Card, or if your name or other biographical information needs to be corrected, you must present both your card and a legal document attesting to the updated or correct information.
Proof of residency in the U.S. is required if you are a traveler who recently began residing in the country. You must submit a copy of your marriage certificate or birth certificate if the documentation includes your spouse’s or your parents’ names.
If you are a resident who chose to commute, you must submit evidence of your current employment that is current and dated within the last 6 (six) months with your application.
Form I-90 must be enclosed with all supporting documentation when submitting a mail-in application. You may upload the copies via the USCIS website if you submit your application online.
Need Help?
If you need any assistance or have questions regarding the requirements for a green card renewal, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of friendly and highly trained professionals at Pride Immigration today.
