Green Card Renewal is a must for all Green Card holders to have an updated card with all the latest security features. Failing to do so will not affect their permanent resident status in any way but will cause trouble during any international travels or in finding an employment. Even those who are on the green cards which do not have an expiration date, green card renewal is a must. For this purpose Form I-90 is used.

When to file in for a Green Card Renewal?

Green Card holders need not wait till the exact date of expiration of their card to submit their I90.
If their card is about to expire within the next six months, they can go in for a green card renewal. In case they are outside the US with a green card that is about to expire and they will return back to the US before the expiry of the card, then they can file in their I-90 as soon as they are back in the country. However when the Green card holder is outside the US and hi/her green card has already expired, then the only option available to them is to get the guidance of the US Embassy in that country and proceed further as per their instructions.

Does the USCIS Green Card renewal hold good for Conditional residents?

Conditional green cards are valid only for 2 yrs and this cannot be renewed just like a normal Green card. The conditional resident should file in Form I-751 in order to remove the conditions and become a permanent resident. They must submit this form before 90 days of the expiry of the card.

Similarly persons who have obtained a Green card by entrepreneurship in the US cannot go in for a green card renewal but file in Form I-829, 90 days prior to the expiration of their card, to remove the conditions.

Filing Fee

The filing fee varies from a permanent resident and a conditional resident. It is totally $450 ($365 +$85 – application + biometric fee) for green card renewal for normal green cards. For conditional residents it is totally $590 ($505 +$85) and for those who need to file in I-829, it is $3835 totally ($3750 + $85)

How to go about the Green card renewal process?
The process of green card renewal involves the following steps

• Filing in Form I -90 with the USCIS – Both E-filing and filing through mail are available.
(All mail based forms should be sent to the USCIS lockbox facility at Phoenix.)
• Including all the necessary proof of name change, biographic information change if the green card renewal is based on either of these.
• Attaching a copy of the previous version of the permanent resident card if sending the I-90 by mail.
• Attaching Form I-797(Notice of Action) in case the applicant is filing in I-90 when he/she did not receive the issued card.
• Attaching the correct filing fee in the form of check to the Department of Homeland Security.
• Attaching Form G-1145 if the applicant wishes to receive an email or a text message notification of the acceptance of the I-90 by the USCIS.

The online filing is simple and all that an applicant needs here is a computer and a reliable internet connection. Once the applicant clicks on the E-filing Form I90 tab on the USCIS webpage, the online filing of green card renewal instructions process begins. Once finished with the application, the site will issue a confirmation receipt notice which should be saved carefully. The supporting documents for proof should be mailed separately to the Nebraska Service Center. The USCIS will not the process the online application until it receives the necessary evidence from the applicant.

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Generally, a permanent resident card (green card) is valid for ten years. On or before the expiration date, you will be required to renew it by filing Form I-90, application for green card replacement with the USCIS. If your green card has already expired, make sure you renew it at the earliest possible time upon discovering it has expired. Per immigration law you will not lose your permanent resident status, but you must be able to have a valid green card as evidence of your permanent resident status. If you were unable to renew your expired/expiring card, you could experience difficulties in obtaining employment, benefits and on re-entry to the United States from abroad. It is recommended apply for your new green card before you travel and bring with you as evidence on any travels the temporary documentation you have received. After traveling abroad you try to re-enter the U.S. with an expired card, this might present a problem for you during the inspection process at the port of entry.

Process for online green card renewal:

It is recommended before e-Filing your application you check for eligibility information to make sure e-Filing is the right filing option for you. Also check your system requirements. Ensure you have all the proper information on hand before beginning the e-File process. Have available your method of payment to pay the filing fees if necessary.

If you decide to e-File the application you will not need to submit paper photographs and you will not need to self schedule an appointment at an Application Support Center for biometrics. You will receive a notice in the mail from USCIS that will provide you with your USCIS scheduled appointment for biometrics and taking of the photographs at an Application Support Center nearest you.

You should bring your biometrics appointment notice and photo identification to your biometrics appointment. Types of acceptable photo identification which are generally accepted are a passport or national photo identification card issued by your country or driver's license or military photo i.d. or state-issued photo i.d. card. Bring all required initial evidence, including your prior green card or other evidence of permanent residence or commuter status. Other documentation of proof such as court ordered name change, marriage certificate, birth certificate or police report for a stolen or lost green card.

When e-filing your application, ensure that your application has been successfully submitted to USCIS. If you receive a receipt number on the web confirmation page and your application no longer appears in the list of saved application in the "My Forms" screen, it means your application has been filed successfully. If you receive Form I-797, Notice of Action, through the mail within 10 days of e-Filing your application, it means your application was filed successfully. Your confirmation receipt number will be in the Form I-797.

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Green Card Renewal Form I-90 Green Card Renewal is an important process for Lawful Permanent Residents. Once a Green Card has been issued, Lawful Permanent Residents do not need to do anything else to extend or ensure their status in the U.S. However, the current green cards are valid for a period of 10 years only. Even though a Green Card has an expiration date, the Permanent Resident status of a person never expires. Once a person has been given Permanent Resident status, it is never taken away unless the person voluntarily gives it up or acts in a way that is contrary to the purpose of a greencard. The Green Card itself is simply official documentation of the status, much like an identification card. Therefore, it is important to keep your card up-to-date. Having an expired Green Card may make it difficult for you to prove that you are a permanent resident, and this could also affect your ability to travel or to prove your eligibility to work in the United States. In order to keep your card updated, greencard holders need to enter the Green Card Renewal process by filing Form I-90. When should a Green Card Renewal application (Form I-90) be filed? * You must file a Green Card Renewal application if you are a Lawful Permanent Resident your card will expire within the next six months. A Green Card renewal application (Form I90) cannot be made more than six months in advance. * You must immediately file a Green Card Renewal application if you are a Lawful Permanent Resident and your card has expired. * You should file a Green Card Renewal application if you are a Lawful Permanent Resident who has an older version Green Card. These cards have no expiration dates. Though you are not required by the USCIS to renew the older card versions, the USCIS strongly recommends you apply to renew your Green Card. When should a Green Card Replacement application (Form I-90) be filed? There are times when a Lawful Permanent Resident needs to request a Green Card Replacement before the current card expires. You should go through a Green Card Replacement process if: * Your card was has lost or stolen. Lost or stolen greencards should be replaced immediately by filing Form I90. * Your card was mutilated or destroyed. A Green Card replacement can be requested by filing Form I90. * Your card has a mistake on it. For example, you received a greencard and the name was misspelled, than you should immediately file for a green card replacement (Form I90) to have the mistake corrected. * Your card was never received. A Green Card replacement can be requested again by filing Form I90. * Your name has changed. If your name has changed due to marriage, divorce or for any other reason, a Green Card replacement can be requested again by filing Form I90. * You just turned 14 years old. If you became a permanent resident before you were 14 years old, you are required to replace your card when you become 14 years old. What if I am a Conditional Permanent Resident? If your greencard is valid for only 2 years, you are a conditional permanent resident. Do not use Form I-90 if you are a conditional resident and your status is expiring. Conditional permanent residents are required to file a petition to remove those conditions within 90 days of their card expiring. If your conditional status was based on a marriage, you must file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence. If your conditional status was based on being an investor, you must file Form I-829, Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status. Once your petition is approved, you will be sent a new greencard valid for 10 years. At that point, the GreenCard Renewal or Green Card Replacement process involves the use of Form I90.

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