This article was co-authored by Valery Cury. Valery Cury is an Immigration Attorney based in Santa Ana, California. With over seven years of experience, she specializes in affirmative cases. Valery earned her Master’s Degree from Brooklyn Law School and her Bachelor’s Degree in Law from Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra in the Dominican Republic. She is licensed to practice in the State of Connecticut. She’s also a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and the Dominican Bar Association (DBA).
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Permanent resident status, often referred to as "having your green card," is not a lifetime status. It must be renewed periodically, similar to a driver's license. The normal timeline for renewal is every 10 years. Read this to learn how to renew a green card if you are a permanent resident living in the United States and your 10-year limit is coming up.
Steps
The Paperwork
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1Start the renewal process six months before your green card expires. It is hard to gauge how timely the renewal process is. Once in a while, the process backs up and it takes months and months. This isn't often, but it's best to take precaution.
- You may also want to renew your green card if it's been lost or stolen (if stolen, contact the emergency department), damaged, your information has changed, you have turned 14, or you have taken up commuter status.
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2Fill in form USCIS I-90. This form is available at the United States Citizenship and Immigration services website. Or, alternatively, you can file it on paper. The USCIS requires the form to be filled in completely. Processing will not begin until this is done.
- The I-90 form can either be filed electronically (the fee may be paid simultaneously) or you can use the U.S. Postal Service. If you would like to receive one by mail, call the form orders line at 1-800-870-3676.[1] Make sure you have a picture of the expiring green card that you can upload to the online application or have a printed copy of the expiring green card for the mail-in application.
- You may or may not be eligible to e-file. Check their website for more information.
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3Send in the fee for renewal. Currently, that fee is $540.00 and is subject to change. It includes an $85 fee for biometrics -- fancy talk for taking your fingerprints, taking your photo, and the electronically capturing your signature. This should be done online with your e-filing or included with your form when mailed in. They accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa, and Discover cards.
- If you are filing on paper, send in your application and fee to the following address:
- USCIS
Attention: I-90
PO BOX 21262
Phoenix, AZ 85036[2] - Pay the fee with a personal or cashier's check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank payable in U.S. dollars to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Do not use the initials DHS or USDHS or USCIS when writing checks. Do not send cash or traveler's checks.
- USCIS
- Once payment is received, you will receive a receipt. On this receipt will be the address to which you send the supporting documents. Additionally, if biometrics services are required, they will send you notification of your scheduled appointment time and place.
- If you are filing on paper, send in your application and fee to the following address:
After You've Filed
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1Wait for a notification of receipt from the USCIS. This will come either in the form of an email (if you filed online) or as a letter. File this in your records as proof you began the process.
- The USCIS will mail you a Form I-797C, or Notice of Action. This is the notice you should use as evidence that you filed this application. Again, this is the notice that lists the information you need for your subsequent appointment.
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2Attend your biometrics appointment. Bring your appointment letter with you in addition to some form of photo identification. The biometrics appointment consists of fingerprinting and taking your photo for your green card. It is nothing to worry about unless you have a new and improved criminal record.
- If you need proof of documentation while the USCIS is reviewing your status, say so at your appointment. They will stamp your passport to indicate that you have filed for a new card. It will enable you to exit the U.S. and reenter.[3]
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3Review the checklist sent to you by the United States Immigration Service and gather your paperwork. Once more, wait for notification from the United States Immigration Service concerning further appointments. Otherwise, the next step is receiving your card.
- There may be an in-person interview you will have to attend at a regional location. It's just as likely you may not have any additional appointments to attend and will receive your new green card in the mail.
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow can I renew my green card with a misdemeanor?
Valery CuryValery Cury is an Immigration Attorney based in Santa Ana, California. With over seven years of experience, she specializes in affirmative cases. Valery earned her Master’s Degree from Brooklyn Law School and her Bachelor’s Degree in Law from Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra in the Dominican Republic. She is licensed to practice in the State of Connecticut. She’s also a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and the Dominican Bar Association (DBA).
Immigration AttorneyYou need an expert to review exactly what the misdemeanor is about, provide original certified dispositions, and be ready to provide police with additional court documents to USCIS. -
QuestionI want to file online, but I don't have an email. What can I do?
Community AnswerMake an email account. You can get a free email account throuh Yahoo mail or Gmail. -
QuestionAfter I sent the paperwork to the USCIS, I realized that something is missing. What will happen?
Community AnswerIf you are missing documents, usually USCIS will issue a Request for Evidence to obtain it from you. Wait for this request, then comply.
Warnings
- There is a possibility that you will have to begin the process again if you let your green card expire. This will include paying all applicable fees.⧼thumbs_response⧽
- The process is different for conditional residents that have a 2-year card. You must get the conditions removed within 90 days of your card's expiration date. That process, too, can be done online.[6]⧼thumbs_response⧽
Things You'll Need
- Form I-90
- Money for renewal fee
- Photo I.D.
- Expiring green card
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about getting a green card, check out our in-depth interview with Valery Cury.
References
- ↑ http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/About%20Us/Electronic%20Reading%20Room/Customer%20Service%20Reference%20Guide/Forms_Orders.pdf
- ↑ http://www.immihelp.com/immigration/fees.html
- ↑ http://www.immihelp.com/greencard/replace-greencard.html
- ↑ http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/free-books/fiance-marriage-visa-book/chapter16-11.html
- ↑ http://www.uscis.gov/addresschange
- ↑ http://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-green-card-granted/conditional-permanent-residence
About This Article
To renew your green card, start the process at least 6 months before your card expires by going online to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services website and completing form I-90. Alternatively, you can call to get a paper form mailed to you, and fill that out. If you file for renewal online, you’ll have to submit an electronic copy of your expiring green card and pay the $540 fee with a credit card. For renewal by mail, you’ll need to submit a photocopy of your green card along with a personal check, cashier’s check, or money order to cover the fee. To learn how to read the notification of receipt you’ll be sent after you file and what to do next, scroll down!
