Tips for Quickly and Cost-Effectively Renewing Your U.S. Green Card

A U.S. Green Card is an important document that allows you to live and work legally in the United States, travel abroad, and re-enter the U.S. under certain conditions.

Therefore, you must always carry a valid Green Card with you at all times. If your 2-year or 10-year Green Card expires, you are required to apply for a renewal to prove your legal permanent resident status in the U.S.

If you are unsure how to renew the U.S. Green Card, the following article from ImmiPath will provide the details. Check it out now!

1. When Do You Need to Renew Your U.S. Green Card?

Permanent residents with a 10-year Green Card should apply to renew their Green Card either after it has expired or within 6 months before it expires. However, avoid applying too early, as doing so may lead to USCIS rejecting your application and retaining your payment.

ImmiPath provides two scenarios for renewing your U.S. Green Card:

1.1 If You Are in the U.S.

You should start the renewal process of the green card 6 months before the expiration date. If your Green Card has already expired, you need to apply for renewal immediately.

1.2 If You Are Outside the U.S.

• If your Green Card will expire within 6 months but you plan to return to the U.S. within 1 year from your departure and before your Green Card expires: Submit your Green Card renewal application as soon as you return to the U.S.
• If your Green Card has expired and you did not apply for renewal before leaving the U.S.: Contact the nearest U.S. consulate, an international USCIS office, or a U.S. port of entry (POE) to inform them of your situation before applying for renewal.

If you plan to travel abroad, be mindful of the expiration date on your Green Card. Plan ahead to meet renewal requirements, especially if you intend to travel internationally.

An expired Green Card may prevent you from re-entering the U.S. or conducting other life activities, such as securing a new job. Without a valid Green Card, it may also affect your ability to apply for citizenship later.

2. What are the Conditions for Renewing Your U.S. Green Card?

You are eligible to renew your U.S. Green Card if you meet the following requirements:

• You are a legal permanent resident with a Green Card.
• Your Green Card is expiring within 6 months, has already expired, or has been lost, damaged, stolen, or sent to you by officials but never received, or has a condition that needs to be removed or contains incorrect information, and you have not committed any crimes that would make you deportable.
• You have paid your taxes.
• You have not been outside the U.S. for more than 12 months.

3. What are the Documents Required for Renewing Your U.S. Green Card?

To renew your U.S. Green Card, in addition to the completed and signed current forms (I-90, I-751, or I-829), you will need additional documents to replace your Green Card.

ImmiPath suggests the following documents to prepare for your Green Card renewal:

Document	Details
Passport or Equivalent	If your previous Green Card is lost, stolen, or destroyed, you will need to submit a copy of the Green Card or other government-issued identification such as a passport, driver’s license, or military ID.
Proof of Biographical Data	For example: proof of a name change or a birth certificate.
Proof of Green Card Issuance	For example: a copy of your most recent I-797 notice.
Copies of Documents	Always carry copies of all necessary documents as supporting evidence for your case.

4. What Steps Are Included in Renewing a U.S. Green Card?

The process of renewing a U.S. Green Card includes the following steps:

• Complete the current form (I-90, I-751, or I-829).
• Gather the required documents. When submitting Form I-90, include both the original and copies of the documents.
• Pay the required fees.
• Send your completed application to USCIS.
• While waiting, USCIS will send you a Form I-797 to confirm receipt of your application, proving that you are a Green Card holder.
• In the Form I-797 letter, you will also find a “receipt number” with 13 characters that you can use to check the status of your renewal application in your USCIS online account.
• USCIS will schedule a biometric appointment for you to provide fingerprints, a signature, and a photo.
• You will receive your new Green Card after a processing time of 4 to 12 months, though individual cases may take longer.
  

5. How Much Does it Cost to Renew a U.S. Green Card?

Many customers who come to ImmiPath to extend their U.S. green card application always wonder how much it costs to renew their US green card. To help customers better understand the costs, ImmiPath will summarize them for you in the following article. See now!

Renewal Type	Form	Filing Fee	Biometrics	Total Cost
Green Card Renewal	I-90	$455	$85	$540
Green Card Based on Marriage: Converting a 2-Year Conditional Green Card to a 10-Year Green Card	I-751	$595	$85	$680
Green Card Based on Investment: Converting a 2-Year Conditional Green Card to a 10-Year Green Card	I-829	$3,750	$85	$3,835
Renewal of Green Card within 30 Days of Turning 14 Years Old When Your Current Card Will Expire Before Your 16th Birthday	I-90	Free	$85	$85
Filing When the Green Card Was Issued but Never Received	I-90	Free	Not Required	–
Filing When the Current Green Card Has Errors Due to Department of Homeland Security	I-90	Free	Not Required	–

See more: The easiest ways to pay for a U.S. Green Card renewal

6. How Long Does It Take to Renew a U.S. Green Card?

The processing time for renewing a Green Card varies depending on the circumstances. Generally, it takes between 4 to 6 months, but it can extend to 10 to 12 months. You can check the current processing times by visiting the website egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/. 

Starting from September 26, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will automatically extend the validity of a Green Card for 24 months if you have filed Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, on time. Therefore, always carry your old Green Card (which may be expired) and your I-90 receipt (also known as Form I-797) from USCIS with you.

7. Frequently Asked Questions About U.S. Green Card Renewal

7.1. Do I need to attend an interview for renewing a U.S. Green Card?

Generally, you do not need to attend an interview after submitting your Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. 

However, USCIS may request an interview, where they might require biometric data such as fingerprints and photos, in addition to a background check.

If you are a conditional permanent resident looking to transition to a 10-year Green Card, you may need to attend an interview after submitting Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence.

Note that Form I-751 is technically not a Green Card renewal form. As indicated by the form’s designation, it is meant to remove conditions from your Green Card.

Once Form I-751 is approved, you will receive a 10-year permanent resident card.

7.2. How often should I renew my U.S. Green Card?

If you have a 10-year Green Card that has expired or will expire within the next 6 months, you should promptly renew your card using Form I-90.

You can check when your card expires by looking at the front of the card where it states “card expires.”

If you hold a 2-year Green Card, you should file Form I-751 no earlier than 90 days before the expiration date.

If you are unsure whether you are a Conditional Permanent Resident (CPR), you can check for the “CR1” designation on your Green Card.

7.3. Does USCIS conduct a background check when I apply for a U.S. Green Card renewal? If so, will a minor criminal record affect my case?

USCIS may require you to attend a biometric appointment, where they will conduct a background check. It is likely that your criminal history, if any, will appear during this process.

A minor criminal record does not automatically disqualify you from renewal. There are three criminal-related reasons, as outlined in the Immigration and Nationality Act, that could prevent you from successfully obtaining your updated Green Card:

• Specific Criminal Convictions: If you have convictions related to moral turpitude (CIMT) — a term from the 1957 case “In the Matter of K” — or violations of laws in the U.S. or abroad involving controlled substances, this may be grounds for denial.
• Multiple Convictions: If you have been convicted of two or more crimes leading to a total prison sentence of five years or more, you might be denied.
• Drug Trafficking: If you are known to have participated in illegal drug trafficking — whether as an accomplice or the primary perpetrator — your case could be denied. This applies even if you are a “spouse, son, or daughter” of a known trafficker.

Note that there are some exceptions that might apply. For example, if you committed a CIMT before the age of 18 and the offense occurred more than five years before you filed your application, you may still be eligible for renewal.

If you are unsure whether you will pass the legal checks for acceptance, you may contact ImmiPath for further consultation.

7.4. How can you get a fee waiver for renewing a U.S. Green Card?

To request a fee waiver for Form I-90, you need to complete Form I-912, also known as the Request for Fee Waiver. To qualify for a fee waiver, you must demonstrate that your financial situation prevents you from making the payment.

According to the Form I-912 instructions, you may apply for a fee waiver if you meet one of the following three conditions:

• Receiving Means-Tested Benefits: You receive public benefits based on income. Examples of means-tested benefits include SNAP, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). You must provide evidence that you receive such benefits.
• Household Income at or Below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level: If your household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, you may qualify for a fee waiver.
• Experiencing Financial Hardship: If you can demonstrate that you are unable to pay the fee due to your current financial situation, you may qualify for a waiver. Financial hardship can include high medical expenses, unemployment, or homelessness, although other reasons may also apply.

7.5. What should I do if my Green Card renewal application is denied?

Although issues can arise, as long as you follow the instructions and laws, there are cases where the U.S. government might deny your Green Card renewal application. This could happen for reasons such as committing a crime, failing to pay taxes, lying on your application, or submitting the wrong form.

If your renewal application is denied, you will receive a letter explaining the reason. If you believe the government made a mistake, you can take the following actions:

• Submit a Request for Reconsideration: Request USCIS to review their decision. Make sure to describe any new factual information that would show how the denial was based on incorrect information or the application of the law.
• Seek Professional Legal Assistance: Especially if you are facing a particularly complex case. The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) can help you find a licensed immigration attorney near you. The U.S. Department of Justice also recognizes some non-profit organizations that provide free or low-cost immigration legal services.
• The appeal process for a denial typically takes around 45 days. USCIS may either accept your request or refer the case to the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) for further review, which is usually completed within 6 months.

7.6. Should I renew my Green Card or apply for U.S. citizenship?

After holding a 10-year Green Card, if you meet the residency requirements—3 years if married to a U.S. citizen and 5 years for other categories—you may consider applying for U.S. citizenship to gain benefits not available to permanent residents. These benefits include the right to vote and obtaining a U.S. passport, which allows visa-free travel to 186 countries.

Applying for citizenship can take up to 20 months and has a fee of $725, while renewing your Green Card will cost you an additional $540 or more.

8. What Should You Do to Successfully Renew Your Green Card?

To successfully renew your U.S. Green Card, ensure you prepare all necessary documents and pay the required fees. For a quick and accurate renewal process, you may consider seeking help from an experienced immigration service center.

With a team of experienced consultants and offices in both the U.S. and Vietnam, ImmiPath proudly offers expert advice on U.S. immigration, including spousal and family sponsorship, as well as employment-based immigration under EB3. We provide detailed guidance on preparing evidence, answering consular interviews, and renewing Green Cards efficiently and cost-effectively.

If you have any questions about renewing your Green Card, leave a comment below, and the ImmiPath team will provide support and advice with all our experience and dedication to help you successfully renew your Green Card.