If you are living in the U.S. and your green card is expiring soon, there are certain steps you need to take to renew it. It is essential to renew your green card before it expires so that you maintain legal status within the United States, which allows you to get legal documents and find work. Here is everything you need to know about what to do when your green card is expiring, how soon you can renew your green card, and the repercussions of not renewing it.
My Green Card is Expiring: What to Do Next
When you receive a green card, this makes you a lawful U.S. permanent resident for life, except for the most rare circumstances. However, as a green card holder, it is your responsibility to renew your green card before it expires so that you maintain lawful presence in the United States. It is essential to prove that you can live and work lawfully in the U.S. and re-enter the U.S. if you have been abroad.
If you have a 10-year green card, you will need to renew it by filing form I-90, which is an application to replace a permanent resident card. You can file this form either online or by mail, along with your supporting documents. The type of documents you need to provide will depend on your situation, as some people only need to provide a photocopy of their current green card.
You may need to provide additional supporting documents if some of your legal information has changed. For instance, if you have gotten married or gone through a divorce, you will need to provide proof of the legal name change, marriage certificate, divorce decree, etc.
Renewing From Outside the U.S.
If you are currently living abroad and need to renew your green card, this can be more complicated. You cannot renew a green card unless you are inside the United States, as your card can only be mailed to your U.S. address, and you need to attend a biometric appointment.
As long as you have been abroad for under a year, you will most likely still be able to enter the U.S. with an expired green card. If that is not the case, you can file form I-131A at a U.S. embassy, which can provide you with special carrier documentation.
However, if you have been outside of the U.S. for more than a year without a re-entry permit, your permanent resident status will be considered to be abandoned. If that is the case, you may be able to apply for a returning resident visa or you may be required to apply for a new green card.
How Much Does it Cost to Renew a Green Card?
The renewal fee you need to pay if your green card is expiring is usually $455 for the actual filing fee, with an $85 biometrics fee. Keep in mind that these fees are subject to change, so they may go up or down.
You can pay the fee whether you are filing online or by mail, and it must be submitted with your renewal application.
How Long Before My Green Card Expires Should I Renew?
You may be wondering how long before your green card expires should you renew, and the answer is about six months. You have to remember that there is a processing time, so you need to get started as soon as possible if your green card is expiring soon. You may also run into issues with your renewal application, which can cause delays.
However, it is also important to know that you shouldn’t try to renew your green card sooner than six months before the expiration date. The USCIS will most likely reject applications that come in too early, so it is best to start the application process between six and five months before the expiration.
How long it takes to renew a green card can change depending on the time you file for renewal and your circumstances, but the general wait time is between 1.5 to 12 months. If the situation is urgent and you need to be able to prove that you are a lawful permanent resident before your green card is renewed, the USCIS may be able to provide an ADIT stamp. This stamp will show that you are a lawful U.S. permanent resident.
An immigration attorney can help you pick the best time to start the renewal process, ensuring you provide all of the documentation that is necessary. An attorney can also help you file your form and double-check to make sure it is up-to-date and thorough so that you don’t run into any issues.
What Happens if Green Card Expires?
Even though you are still considered to be a lawful permanent resident, even if your green card is not up-to-date, it is still essential that you stay on top of the renewal requirements. You need to know when to renew a green card that is expiring and what to include with your renewal application. Failing to keep your green card up-to-date can make it harder for you to do certain things, such as:
- Get a driver’s license
- Find new employment
- Travel outside of the U.S.
- Obtain a home loan
The good news is that you do not have to worry about serious repercussions, such as deportation. You can still lawfully live and work in the United States, but you just won’t be able to prove that you are doing this lawfully without an up-to-date green card.
Even if you discover that your green card has been expired for months or years, the renewal process will be the same, and you won’t have to pay any penalties. However, it is strongly recommended that you hire an immigration attorney to help you do this to ensure you don’t run into any complications.
Hire an Immigration Attorney Today
Do you need to go through the process of renewing your green card so you can stay in the U.S? Contact us today at U.S. Immigration Law Counsel at 800-666-4996 to speak with an immigration attorney about your situation. We will deal with the government, so you don’t have to!
