WORK TIME 9AM – 5PM
EMAIL US
CALL USlifting for you
How Long Does it Take to Renew Green Card?
How long does it take to renew a Green Card? Professionals from the Do Law Office can answer this question and more. Contact us to schedule a consultation.
Getting Your Green Card Renewed
Knowing that your valid green card will soon expire, or even worse, has been lost or stolen, might be unsettling. You’re likely eager to learn what occurs after submitting Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. Plus, you might want to learn the process of green card renewal application.
After US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) receives your renewal form, processing may take between 1.5 and 14 months.
Although the stages are broadly consistent, the Form I-90 processing time varies based on the USCIS caseload and your ability to submit a renewal/replacement application package that is adequately prepared. The following outline covers the fundamental steps of the I-90 timeline for most individuals and how a trusted naturalization lawyer from the Do Law Office can help.
How Long Does Green Card Renewal Take?
After sending in Form I-90 and supporting documentation to renew your green card, you’ll receive a receipt notice within three weeks. Specifically, your I-797 receipt notice will contain a unique receipt number, a combination of three letters and ten numbers.
The USCIS should send you a biometrics appointment notice four weeks after filing. The message will include a biometrics appointment date, venue, and time.
After your biometrics appointment, USCIS will process your green card replacement/renewal application. Upon approval, you will receive your green card by mail.
From the filing date, green cards can take 6 to 14 months. You can check the current processing time for renewal on the USCIS website. The processing times listed are estimates, and the timing can change based on the service center’s workload and other factors.
The green card renewal process is not daunting, but you might need help from an experienced lawyer to correctly fill out the application and fee and provide the right documents.
Expedited Processing of Green Card Renewal
USCIS facilitates expedited processing of green card renewal applications at its discretion. Typical processing times are not applicable if an application is authorized for expedited processing, in which case the agency will handle your case in a shorter processing time.
Cases may be expedited for the following reasons:
-
Reasons of a humanitarian nature
-
An enticing USCIS application
-
A significant financial loss will be sustained by a company or an individual
-
Error by USCIS
-
In an emergency
When your green card expires, you must initiate the renewal process. The green card renewal processing might take a long if you make mistakes in any of the steps.
Can I Renew My Green Card if My Current One Expires Before I Apply?
Sometimes, your new green card might arrive after your present green card’s expiration date.
To circumvent this gap in your confirmation of permanent residency, you can apply for an I-551 passport stamp from the USCIS application support center. This will temporarily prove your conditional permanent resident status until your new green card arrives.
When Should You Replace Your Permanent Resident Card?
The requirements and green card renewal processes are outlined in CFR section 264.5 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Under the law, a green card holder should submit a renewal application every ten years. The renewal application is based on green card categories and the holder’s immigration status as follows:
Lawful Permanent Residents
If you are a lawful permanent resident in the US, you can only apply to renew your green card if any of the following applies to you:
-
Your green card expired or is due to expire within six months
-
Your green card was misplaced, stolen, damaged, or destroyed
-
You commuted to the US for some time and are now applying for lawful permanent residency
-
You are a lawful permanent resident of the United States and are obtaining commuter status
-
You need to replace your old alien registration card (such as USCIS Form AR-3, Form AR-103, or Form I-151) with your current Green Card
-
There is an error on your current green card
-
Your name or other biographical information has been legally altered since you received your card
-
Your previously issued green card never arrived
Conditional Green Card Renewal
If you are a conditional permanent resident, you can only renew your green card under the following conditions:
-
Your previous card was misplaced, stolen, damaged, or destroyed
-
Your card includes inaccurate details
-
Your name or other biographical information has been legally altered since you received your card
-
You never received the card we issued previously
To understand the requirements, application process, and timeline of renewing a green card, you may want to consult with an experienced attorney. A lawyer can help you understand things better, including the documents that a green card renewal requires.
Applying for a Your Green Card Renewal
To renew your expired green card, you must first submit Form I-90, which is technically titled “Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card.” Green card renewals and replacements use the same application.
In order to renew a green card, you must file the application with the USCIS and pay the fees for biometrics and filing.
Depending on whether you submit your renewal application to USCIS online or by mail, the remaining processes will vary:
Online
The steps for online green card renewal are the following:
- Create a USCIS online account.
- Fill out the green card renewal form (Form I-90).
- Upload any required supporting documents, such as a copy of your expired permanent resident card.
- Review and sign your application digitally.
- Pay government taxes (if required).
- Submit your application and await the arrival of your new green card.
By Mail
-
Complete Form I-90 on paper with your black ink pen.
-
Make a photocopy of any necessary documentation, such as your expired or soon-to-expire green card.
-
Sign and review your application.
-
Include government fee payments (if required).
-
Send USCIS your application and wait for your new green card.
Can the Green Card Renewal Fee Be Waived?
The cost to renew a green card is $455. There is a possibility that this will be accompanied by a biometrics fee of $85 in some instances. If you decide to renew your green card online, you must pay for it using a credit or debit card.
A fee waiver can be requested by completing Form I-912, also known as the Request for Fee Waiver. In order to qualify for the fee waiver, you need to demonstrate that you cannot afford to pay the fee.
You must demonstrate your financial hardship in one of the following ways:
- You must provide proof of receiving a “means-tested benefit” such as Supplemental Security Income, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
- You must prove that your household income does not exceed 150 percent of the federal poverty level.
- Your financial hardships may include unemployment, homelessness, or high medical bills.
Proving your financial hardship in court can be challenging. You need supporting evidence to prove that you can not afford the fee and require a waiver to maintain the lawful permanent resident status.
Is an Immigration Lawyer Worth Retaining?
Several aspects of immigration law do not require an immigration attorney’s help. However, if you are unsure of how to renew or replace a green card, it might be a good idea to speak with a local immigration attorney.
An experienced family immigration lawyer from a reputable law firm will be able to help you through the process. The experienced immigration attorney will also help you ensure that you file all of the relevant paperwork promptly.
If you have been charged with breaking any of the immigration laws of the United States, your attorney might also be able to offer you legal counsel in court.
If you have any more questions, our business immigration attorney can help you. Reach out to speak with one of them.
Contact Us
4500 Satellite Blvd.
Suite 1160
Duluth, GA 30096
TO SPEAK WITH OUR OFFICE,
PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL US:
Email: info@dolawoffice.com
Tel: 678-224-8940
Fax: 678-224-8967
Get the legal advice, counsel, and representation you need