Renewel or Replacement

Green Card Renewal is a very important process for Lawful Permanent Residents. Green Cards are valid for 10 years period only. Although it has an expiration date, the Permanent Resident status of a person never expires. The reason for this is because once an individual has been given a Permanent Resident status, it is never taken away not unless the person voluntarily gives it up or acts in a way that may be contrary to the purpose of a green card.

The Green Card is an official documentation of the status and may be used as an identification card. That is why it is most important to always keep your card up-to-date because an expired green card makes it only difficult for you to prove that you are a Permanent Resident which may affect your ability to travel or to prove your eligibility to work in the United States.

Application Process:

Online E-Filing Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card
Filing a paper Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card by mail

Application for a replacement Permanent Resident Card must be made under the following circumstances: (A Lawful Permanent Resident needs to request a Green Card Replacement before the current card expires.)

A Permanent Resident, whose Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) expired;
A Permanent Resident, whose Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) will expire within six months;
A Permanent Resident, whose Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) was lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated;
A Permanent Resident, whose Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) does not have an expiration date;
A Permanent Resident, whose Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) is incorrect;
A Permanent Resident, who changed his/her name and still has an old name on the Permanent Resident Card (Green Card);
A Permanent Resident that never received their original Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) after being approved for such a card;
A Permanent Resident that turned 14 years after receiving his/her Permanent Resident Card (Green Card).

The new versions of the Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) have expiration dates on them. Mostly, ten years after the card has been issued. On the other hand, older versions of the Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) that do not have expiration dates, expired on March 20, 1996. The Green Card’s expiration has no bearing on the alien’s continued permanent residence.

Warning to Conditional Permanent Residents:

An alien that was granted conditional permanent residence status (for two years) is not the same as an alien that has an expiring Permanent Resident Card (Green Card). Persons with conditional permanent residence status will lose permanent resident status if the condition is not removed, resulting to becoming illegal.

Renewing Process When Outside of the United States:

If you are outside the United States and you green card will soon expire (like within 6 months), but you will return within one year of your departure from the U.S, before the card expires, you should file for you renewal card as soon as you return to the United States.
If you are outside the United States when the card expires and you have not applied for the renewal card prior to your departure, you should contact the nearest U.S. Consulate, USCIS office, or U.S. Port entry before attempting to file Form I-90 for green card renewal.

These are the versions of Green Card that are No longer valid:

USCIS Form AR-3
USCIS Form AR-103
USCIS Form I-151

Fees:

$ 350.00 attorney’s fees
$ 450.00 USCIS filing fee for the main petition