Green Card Renewal: How to Do it?

When a green card is granted, you are legally allowed to live in the United States. Most green cards are valid for 10 years, at which point they must be renewed. If you have never done it before, the process of renewing a green card can get a little bit confusing. In order to help with it, here is US Immigration guide with the basic steps you must follow.

Documents Needed to Renew Your Green Card

To renew your green card, you’ll need to submit the following documents. Keep these documents next to you when applying to speed up the process.

1. Fee payment
2. Completed Green Card Renewal (I-90) form
3. A photocopy of your green card

Please note that you'll need to notify the USCIS if your name or any other personal information about your identity has changed. If your name has changed, you'll need to send the USCIS an original court order or a certified marriage certificate that reflects the name change.

How to Renew Your Green Card

The following ten steps explain the whole process of a Green Card Renewal. If your Green Card is about to expire, be sure to follow this steps as soon as possible.

First Step: Start Early

You need to start the renewal process six months before your permanent resident card expires. It takes several months, on average, for the government to process the paperwork. It's best to get started months before the card expires to ensure that you’ll receive your renewal on time.

Second Step: Fill Out Green Card Renewal form (I-90)

Next, fill out form I-90. You must complete the entire form before you continue to the next step. If you have questions, you can always schedule an appointment with an USCIS officer.

Third Step: Green Card Renewal Fee

You must send in the fee for the green card renewal. The government accepts American Express, MasterCard, Visa and Discover cards for online payments. The office also accepts checks and money orders. Don't use initials when writing checks.

Fourth Step: Wait for Notification

After you've filed your application, wait for the notification of receipt from the USCIS. If you filed electronically, you'll receive an email; otherwise you'll receive a letter in the mail. After you have heard back from the USCIS, you'll need to go in for an appointment to learn more about case status. Contact your local Infopass office to schedule your visit.

Fifth Step: Fingerprint Appointment

You'll have to attend an appointment to be fingerprinted and to process your green card replacement. If you have a new criminal record, you may have issues with this process.

Sixth Step: Additional Paperwork

After you have completed the steps listed above, you'll receive a checklist from the USCIS. You may need to gather additional paperwork, and the USCIS may ask for additional appointments. The office may want to interview you before they send your renewal card. If none of this applies to you, you'll receive your green card replacement in the mail.

Timeline for Green Card Renewal

You'll receive a receipt of application in the mail after the USCIS has received your green card replacement application. Be sure to submit all of the required information so that it doesn't delay the process. You'll receive the notice in the mail approximately two to three weeks after filing.

Three to five weeks after filing your application, you'll receive a notice in the mail with your appointment so that your fingerprints and photograph can be taken. The notice will contain the time, date and location for the appointment. Your fingerprints are taken to conduct a security clearance and criminal background check.

Five to eight weeks after sending in your application, you'll have to go to your appointment. This process only takes about 30 minutes to complete. In the notice you received in the mail, it'll tell you what to take to your appointment. You'll need photo identification to enter the building.

If your application is approved, you'll receive your permanent resident card in the mail four to five weeks after you’ve filed your application. If your application isn't approved, you'll receive a notice in the mail explaining the reason for denial.

As you can see, the process is not very complicated but it is indeed long. Immigration to the US is growing every year, so processing times can sometimes be longer than expected. If you have to manage your application somehow, it is better to plan ahead. Although navigating US immigration may seem daunting, it can be much easier with a little help from our website.