| How
do I know if I need to renew my Green Card?
Cards issued since 1989 have an expiration date on the front
of the card that indicates a 10-year validity. If you were issued
your Green Card about 10 years ago and the card has an expiration
date on it, you should check the expiration date to see when your
card needs to be renewed.
Do I need to renew my Green Card if it was issued between
1979 and 1988 but does not have an expiration date?
No. Green Cards issued between 1979 and 1988 do not have
expiration dates and do not need to be renewed at this time. USCIS
will develop
a plan for replacing these cards at a future time.
Will
I lose my permanent resident status if I do not renew my Green Card?
No, you will not lose your permanent resident status if you
do not renew your Green Card–your permanent resident status
will not expire or change. However, you are required by law to carry
evidence of your status/registration (e.g. a valid, unexpired Green
Card or the temporary proof of status you receive at the time of
filing to renew your Green Card.)
What
will happen if I do not renew my expiring Green Card?
If you fail to renew your expiring card, you may experience
difficulties in obtaining employment, benefits and re-entry into
the United States from abroad.
How
do I apply to renew my Green Card?
Within six months of expiration, complete a Form
I-90 "Application to Replace a Permanent Resident Card",
which you can also obtain by calling 1-800-870-3676, or by submitting
an online request to receive forms
by mail. If you live in New York, Newark, Chicago,
San Francisco, Houston, San Antonio, or El Paso, you may be able
to apply by mail (although you will still eventually need to visit
an USCIS office). In all other locations, you should submit your application
in person to your nearest
USCIS District office or Sub Office. For more details,
see: Renew Your Expiring Green Card.
How can I obtain temporary proof of status while I wait to receive
my new Green Card?
When you bring your application in person to the USCIS office,
be sure to bring your passport, if you have one -- or bring one
additional photograph so that a temporary document (a stamped Form
I-94 with photograph) can be created and issued to you immediately.
NOTE:
If you present an expired passport the USCIS will stamp it;
however, it will not be acceptable for employment verification purposes.
You may present to your employer an unexpired stamped passport
or Form I-94 with photograph, or any of the other documents listed
on the Form
I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification Form). If you require
temporary documentation for employment purposes, be sure to inform
the USCIS officer of this fact.
How long will it be before I receive my new Green Card?
Currently, it takes about 10-12 months to receive your new
Green Card. Your temporary proof of status will be valid for one
year.
Should I apply far in advance of the expiration date?
While you can apply to renew your card up to six months before
its expiration date, there is no need to rush to apply for a new
card too far in advance. When you go to your local USCIS office, you
will immediately be issued temporary proof of your lawful permanent
resident status that will be valid for one year.
What should I do if my Green Card has already expired? Will the
USCIS penalize me for renewing my card after it expired?
USCIS will not penalize you for renewing your card after
it has expired, but you should apply to renew your card as soon
as possible.
What do I use for documentation of my lawful permanent resident
status while I wait for my new card?
You will be issued temporary proof of your lawful permanent
resident status when you turn in your expiring Green Card to the
USCIS. You should bring your passport, and a temporary stamp will
be placed in your passport. If you do not have a passport, you should
bring an additional photograph and you will be issued a temporary
document (a stamped Form I-94 with photograph) on-site. This temporary
proof of status will be valid for one year.
NOTE:
If you present an expired passport the USCIS will stamp it;
however, it will not be acceptable for employment verification purposes.
You may present to your employer an unexpired stamped passport
or Form I-94 with photograph, or any of the other documents listed
on the Form
I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification Form). If you
require temporary documentation for employment purposes, be sure
to inform the USCIS officer of this fact.
What if my temporary proof of status expires before I receive my
new Green Card?
You should return to your local USCIS office to update your
documentation.
What will happen if I present an expired Green Card when I try to
reenter the United States after traveling abroad, or when I obtain
a new job, or when I apply for entitlement benefits?
Re-entry into the United States from abroad: To the extent
possible, apply for your new Green Card before you travel and bring
with you on any trip the temporary documentation you receive at
the time of filing to renew your Green Card. If after traveling
abroad you try to re-enter the United States with an expired Green
Card, you may experience a delay during the inspection process at
the port-of-entry.
Obtaining employment: While employers will not accept an expired
Green Card to verify employment authorization for new hires, you
may use other documents listed on the Form
I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification Form), or the temporary
documentation you receive at the time of filing to renew your Green
Card (other than a stamp placed in an expired passport).
Applying
for benefits: Your status as a lawful permanent resident has not
changed. Therefore, your eligibility for benefits will not change.
The temporary documentation that you receive upon filing to renew
your Green Card is sufficient evidence to verify your legal status.
What if I cannot afford the application fee, or I am ill or disabled
and cannot go to my local USCIS office?
If you cannot afford the fee you may request a fee waiver
according to standard procedures (see Forms,
Fees & Filing Locations). If you are unable to appear in
person because you are confined due to advanced age or physical
disability, you may contact your local
USCIS office to request accommodations.
What if I filed to renew my expired Green Card under mail-in procedures
and I need to obtain temporary proof of status immediately, before
my scheduled appointment to come to the local USCIS office?
All USCIS offices have developed procedures designed to handle
such situations. You should contact your local
USCIS office and ask for assistance.
What should I do if I have already applied for naturalization and
my card is expiring? Do I still need to renew my Green Card and
pay the $110 renewal application fee?
USCIS is exploring alternatives under which you can defer
applying for a new Green Card if you have applied for naturalization
more than six months prior to your card’s expiration. Until
these changes are in place, you need not apply to renew your Green
Card. In the meantime, if you are in the process of obtaining new
employment you may use other documents listed on the Form I-9 (Employment
Eligibility Verification Form) for employment authorization purposes.
If you need a new Green Card for employment or benefits verification
purposes, you should apply and pay the $110 filing fee to renew
your expiring Green Card.
What if I applied for naturalization less than six months before
my card expires, or I choose to apply for naturalization instead
of applying to renew my Green Card?
You will still need to apply and pay the $110 filing fee
to renew your expiring Green Card and ensure that you have evidence
of your legal status.
For additional information, see: Renew
your Expiring Green Card
The information
provided in this website is not legal advice and should not be interpreted
as legal advice. This website is intended to provide a basic understanding
of this information in summary form. This information may not be
comprehensive, is subject to change, and may not apply to all individual
circumstances. Any information received here should be confirmed
with the appropriate government agencies or with an attorney, particularly
as it relates to your individual circumstances. Your use of this
website indicates your agreement to be bound by our Terms
of Use.
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