Having a Permanent Resident Card, or green card, guarantees proof of legal permanent residence status in the United States. Commonly, a green card is valid for 10 years while conditional green cards are valid for two years. Without a green card, it will be difficult to prove that an immigrant is a lawful permanent resident, negatively impacting their eligibility to work and more. This article explains how to replace or renew a green card.
Also Read: Lawful Permanent Resident Status (LPR) for Immigrants in the U.S.
When to begin a green card renewal
An immigrant who is a lawful permanent resident with a 10-year card, should renew their card six months before expiration. If there is any information on the card that needs to be changed, or if it card has been lost, stolen or damaged, then they should replace the card. They also need to replace the card after they turn 14 years old, if they became a permanent resident before the age of 14.
If they are a conditional permanent resident with a 2-year card, they must submit a petition to remove its conditions, which can be done 90 days before the card expires. Upon approval, a new 10-year Permanent Resident Card will be issued without needing to submit Form I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (Green Card).
There is no set time for USCIS to approve these applications. It can take several months to even years to process based on USCIS capacity. There is also no premium processing for these forms. Applicants can use the “Case Status Online” tool to check the case status.
How to renew or replace a green card
Legal permanent residents
Legal permanent residents should file Form I-90. When applying to renew their green card, applicants should submit the receipt notice of Form I-90, which can be used with the expired green card as evidence of lawful permanent resident status.
Consult the USCIS website to see how to fill out Form I-90.
If applicants just need to renew a green card, they should submit a scanned copy of the green card. Remember not to send original documents unless specifically requested by the USCIS. For more information to provide with the application, check out the Checklist of Required Initial Evidence section on the USCIS website.
Conditional Permanent Resident
Conditional permanent residents should file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence. The “Checklist of Required Initial Evidence” section on this page provides a list of documents that need to be included under different scenarios or conditions.
Supporting documents vary under different conditions. In general, applicants should prepare the following documentation:
- Copies of the front and back of a Permanent Resident Card and that of any conditional permanent resident children you are including (if applicable)
- Evidence of relationship or conditions
- An explanation for the reason you are filing separately from your primary conditional permanent resident parent (if applicable)
- Dispositions on criminal charges, arrests, or convictions (if applicable)
- If you are filing from outside the United States because you, your spouse, or your stepparent reside outside of the U.S. on U.S. military or government orders, please check the “Checklist of Required Initial Evidence” section on the USCIS website.
Green card renewal and biometric costs
For LPR filing Form I-90, the fee is generally $540 (including a $455 filing fee and a $85 biometric fee). There are a couple of exceptions, which you can see on the Form I-90 webpage.
For Conditional Permanent Residents filing Form I-751, you need to pay a $595 filing fee plus a biometric fee of $85 per person if you want to include any child with you.
Also Read: USCIS is Increasing Green Card Application Fees By Thousands of Dollars: How To Prepare
Where to file a green card renewal
Conditional permanent resident, should review the direct filing addresses on the USCIS website. Legal permanent residents can renew or replace their green card online or by mail. For the online option, they must create a USCIS online account to file the form online. Or, mail applications to:
U.S. Postal Service (USPS)
USCIS
Attn: I-90
P.O. Box 21262
Phoenix, AZ 85036-1262
FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries
USCIS
Attn: I-90 (Box 21262)
2108 E. Elliot Rd.
Tempe, AZ 85284-1806
