Green Card Renewal for Lawful Permanent Residents

Green card renewal means filing Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, with USCIS. You can file online through a USCIS account or on paper by mail. The form is for lawful permanent residents whose 10-year card has expired or will expire within the next six months. The same form handles replacements too: a new card after the current one was lost, stolen, damaged, issued with an error, or no longer matches your legal name. The reason you select controls the fee and the evidence you need.

Your permanent resident status does not end when the card expires, but the law requires you to carry valid evidence of that status. Employers, airlines, and government agencies all rely on it. As of November 4, 2026, the general Form I-90 filing fee is $465 on paper or $415 online, and there is no separate biometrics fee.

Once USCIS accepts a renewal filing for an expiring or expired card, the receipt notice, presented together with the expired card, serves as evidence of permanent resident status for 36 months from the card's expiration date, including for work and travel. That extension belongs to the renewal category. An applicant who no longer has a physical card needs different temporary evidence, explained below. Conditional residents with a two-year card do not renew with Form I-90; they file to remove conditions instead. This page covers who must file, how renewal differs from replacement and removal of conditions, the steps and documents, current government fees and fee waivers, timelines, proof of status while the case is pending, expedite requests, travel and other special situations, current policy developments, what happens if the application is denied, and when naturalization may be the better long-term choice.

What Is Green Card Renewal?

A green card, formally Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card, is the document that shows you are a lawful permanent resident of the United States. INA 264(d) provides for the issuance of a registration card to every registered noncitizen, and 8 CFR 264.5 sets out when a permanent resident must apply to replace it. Permanent residents who are not subject to conditions receive a card valid for 10 years. Conditional permanent residents, such as spouses whose marriage was less than two years old when residence was granted and EB-5 investors, get a card valid for two years.

Renewal and replacement use the same application, Form I-90. "Renewal" refers to replacing a card that is expiring or has expired, and "replacement" refers to replacing a card that was lost, stolen, damaged, never received, or needs corrected or updated information. The application does not grant a new status and does not restart any clock toward naturalization; it produces a new card reflecting the status you already hold. If USCIS approves, it mails a new card to the address on file.

Renewal, Replacement, and Removing Conditions: How They Compare

Three different filings are easy to mix up. Choosing the wrong one can lead to a rejected application, a gap in proof of status, or, for conditional residents, termination of status.

A conditional resident who files Form I-90 to "renew" a two-year card has filed the wrong form. The I-90 does not remove conditions, and failing to file Form I-751 or Form I-829 before the two-year card expires leads to automatic termination of conditional status under INA 216(c)(2) and INA 216A(c)(2), with limited exceptions for late filing with good cause. Spouses should review the green card through marriage page, and investors the EB-5 visa page, for the removal-of-conditions rules.

Who Must File Form I-90

Under 8 CFR 264.5(b), a lawful permanent resident must apply to replace the card when:

• The card has expired or will expire within six months. This is the standard renewal.
• The card was lost, stolen, or destroyed.
• The card is mutilated or damaged, including a card that no longer reads clearly or has a damaged photo or chip.
• Your name or other biographic information has legally changed since the card was issued, for example after marriage, divorce, or a court-ordered name change.
• You are taking up actual residence in the United States after being a commuter, or you are a permanent resident living in the United States who is taking up commuter status (living in Canada or Mexico and working in the United States).
• Your status was automatically converted to permanent resident status, as with certain special agricultural workers.
• USCIS issued the card but you never received it.
• You received your card before age 14 and have reached your 14th birthday, unless the card will expire before your 16th birthday.
• The card contains incorrect data because of a USCIS or DHS error.

Under 8 CFR 264.5(c), a permanent resident must also replace an older version of the registration card, such as Forms AR-3, AR-103, or I-151, which are no longer valid evidence of status, and may use Form I-90 to replace a card for other reasons.

Conditional Permanent Residents

Under 8 CFR 264.5(d), a conditional resident whose two-year card is expiring applies to remove conditions rather than filing Form I-90. A conditional resident may use Form I-90 only if the card is not expiring within 90 days and it was lost, stolen, or destroyed, was never received, is damaged, contains a USCIS error, or shows a name or other biographic information that has legally changed.

Who Should Not File

Form I-90 is not the right filing if you have abandoned permanent residence, if your status was terminated or rescinded, or if you are now a U.S. citizen. A naturalized citizen who needs proof of citizenship uses a U.S. passport or a Certificate of Naturalization instead. A person who automatically acquired or derived citizenship through a parent may apply for a Certificate of Citizenship on Form N-600 or for a passport, and should not keep renewing a green card. If you have spent long periods abroad, review whether there is a question about abandonment before filing. The background checks that follow filing can bring long absences to USCIS's attention.

Why a Valid Green Card Matters

INA 264(e) requires every noncitizen 18 years of age or older to carry the registration document issued to them at all times. For a permanent resident, that document is the green card. The statute makes failure to carry it a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $100, imprisonment of up to 30 days, or both, for each offense. In practice, though, the larger consequences of an expired or missing card are practical ones.

• Employment. An unexpired green card is a List A document for Form I-9. When an employer completes Form I-9 for a new hire, an expired card presented together with a Form I-90 renewal receipt notice is acceptable List A documentation during the 36-month extension, as explained in the USCIS Handbook for Employers (M-274). An employer may not reverify a current employee who is a permanent resident solely because the card has expired.
• Travel and reentry. Under 8 CFR 211.1(a)(2), a valid Form I-551 allows a permanent resident to return after a temporary absence of less than one year. Airlines check documents before boarding, and an expired card without the receipt notice can lead to boarding problems or questions at the port of entry.
• Identification and benefits. State motor vehicle agencies, banks, and benefit programs ask for current evidence of status, and the federal SAVE system is used to confirm it.
• Encounters with law enforcement. A valid card, or the receipt notice with the expired card, shows lawful status quickly.

The card is also not the same thing as a travel document for long trips. A permanent resident planning to be outside the United States for a year or more should look at a reentry permit before leaving.

Benefits of Filing on Time

• Proof of status while the case is pending. A timely renewal produces a receipt notice that, with the expired card, is accepted as evidence of status for 36 months from the card's expiration date.
• Acceptable Form I-9 documents. A new employer can accept the expired card with the receipt notice as List A documentation during the extension.
• Documents for travel. The receipt notice and expired card together are the documents to carry for travel during the extension period. Admission on return still depends on the usual rules on time abroad and maintaining residence.
• Online filing and tracking. Filing online lets you pay electronically, see when USCIS receives the application, receive notices, and respond to requests in your USCIS account.
• Lower cost online. As of November 4, 2026, the online fee is $50 lower than the paper fee.
• Time to address problems. Filing early leaves room to respond to a request for evidence, reschedule biometrics, or correct a mailing address before the old card runs out.

Documents Typically Needed

Under 8 CFR 264.5(e), the evidence depends on the reason for filing. Follow the current Form I-90 instructions for the category you select.

Documents in a language other than English must be accompanied by a full English translation with a translator's certification, per 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3).

How to Renew a Green Card: Step by Step

1. Confirm that Form I-90 is the right filing. Check whether you hold a 10-year card or a two-year conditional card, and identify the reason for filing, because it controls the fee and evidence.
2. Check timing. For a renewal, file when the card has expired or will expire within six months. For other reasons, file as soon as the issue arises. If you are abroad, see the special situations section below.
3. Review your history. Biometrics and security checks follow filing. Consider any arrests, convictions, or long trips abroad before filing, and get advice if something could raise a question about removability or abandonment of residence.
4. Choose online or paper filing. Online filing requires a USCIS account. Paper filings go to the lockbox address listed on the Form I-90 page, and all pages must be from the current edition.
5. Complete and sign the form. USCIS rejects unsigned forms. It may also reject an incomplete form or later issue a request for evidence, so fill in every required field, including your name, mailing address, and date of birth.
6. Pay the correct fee. Pay online, or for a paper filing use a payment method listed on the Form I-90 page, such as Form G-1450 for a card payment, unless a $0 category or an approved fee waiver applies.
7. Keep the receipt notice. USCIS issues a receipt notice after accepting the application. For a renewal, keep it with your expired card as evidence of status.
8. Attend biometrics if scheduled. If USCIS requires biometrics, it mails an appointment notice for an Application Support Center. Bring the notice and photo identification.
9. Respond to any request for evidence by the deadline stated in the notice.
10. Receive and check the new card. Track delivery, review the card for errors when it arrives, and file promptly to correct any USCIS error.

Filing Online

USCIS accepts Form I-90 online through a USCIS account. Online filing lets you pay the fee, upload evidence, check case status, receive notices, and respond to requests electronically. A fee waiver request cannot be made with an online filing, so applicants requesting a waiver file on paper with Form I-912. The USCIS Form I-90 page lists the filing categories that are not eligible for online filing; check it before starting an online application.

Filing by Mail

Paper applications are filed at the USCIS lockbox address listed on the Form I-90 page, which differs for U.S. Postal Service and courier deliveries. USCIS scans paper filings into its electronic system and creates an online account for the applicant, sending an account acceptance notice with access instructions. If you move while the case is pending, update your address through your USCIS account or with Form AR-11 so that notices and the new card reach you. Separately from any pending case, INA 265 requires a permanent resident to report a change of address within 10 days of moving.

Form I-90 Filing Fees

The table below lists fees as published on the USCIS fee schedule (Form G-1055) as of November 4, 2026. Fees change, so confirm them on the live schedule, and check its edition date, before filing.

Since the USCIS fee rule that took effect on April 1, 2024, the cost of biometrics is built into the filing fee, so there is no separate $85 biometrics fee. USCIS rejects an application filed with the wrong fee, and a rejected filing is not treated as filed, which matters if timing is tight. Attorney fees are separate from government fees. The filing fee pays for adjudication and is generally not refunded if the application is denied.

Fee Waivers for Form I-90

Form I-90 is one of the forms for which USCIS accepts a fee waiver request on Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, under 8 CFR 106.3. USCIS may grant a waiver on one of three grounds:

• You, your spouse, or the head of your household is receiving a means-tested public benefit;
• Your household income is at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines at the time of filing; or
• You are experiencing extreme financial hardship, such as unexpected medical bills or an emergency.

A fee waiver request must be filed on paper with the Form I-90, with supporting evidence such as benefit award letters, tax transcripts, or proof of income. If USCIS denies the waiver, it rejects the application, and you must refile with the fee. Applicants who need the receipt notice quickly for proof of status should weigh that risk before relying on a waiver request. Confirm the current Form I-912 eligibility standards on the USCIS fee waiver page before filing.

Green Card Renewal Processing Time and Timeline

There is no fixed processing time for Form I-90. Timelines vary and can change. They depend on the reason for filing, whether biometrics are needed, background check results, and USCIS workload. The only reliable source is the USCIS processing-times tool for Form I-90, which posts current estimates.

• Receipt notice. USCIS sends a receipt notice after it accepts the application. Online filers see the receipt in their account. USCIS suggests waiting 72 hours after filing before checking case status online.
• Biometrics. If USCIS requires biometrics, it mails an appointment notice for an Application Support Center. USCIS may reuse biometrics it already has on file in some cases.
• Decision and card production. Check the USCIS processing-times tool for Form I-90 for current estimates. A request for evidence, a returned notice, or a background check issue can extend the timeline.
• Card delivery. After approval, the card is mailed to the address on file, and USCIS offers card delivery tracking in the online account. A card that is returned to USCIS as undeliverable can be reissued; the $0 replacement category applies when USCIS mailed the card, it came back as undeliverable, and you did not move or change the address you provided. A card that was delivered and then lost, or that went to an address you failed to update, requires a new Form I-90 with the general fee.

Because a renewal receipt notice extends proof of status for 36 months from the card's expiration date, renewal applicants have evidence of status while the case is pending, provided the case is decided within that period. If the extension is nearing its end and the case is still pending, contact the USCIS Contact Center about the delay and ask about an ADIT stamp. When a case stays pending well beyond posted processing times and inquiries have not resolved it, some applicants consider a writ of mandamus in federal court. For more background, see the green card renewal processing time article.

Proof of Status While Your Application Is Pending

Renewal applicants. When USCIS accepts a renewal application for an expiring or expired card, the Form I-90 receipt notice states that, together with the Permanent Resident Card, it provides evidence of lawful permanent resident status for 36 months from the expiration date on the card, and that you remain authorized to work and travel. USCIS describes the notice, presented with the expired card, as evidence of status and employment authorization, including for Form I-9. This 36-month period took effect on September 10, 2024, replacing the earlier 24-month extension, and USCIS mailed amended receipt notices to applicants whose cases were already pending at that time. The extension does not apply to other Form I-90 categories, such as a lost card, because there is no card to present with the notice.

Replacement applicants without a card. If you no longer have your card, for example because it was lost or stolen, and you need evidence of status while waiting, USCIS may issue temporary evidence of status in the form of an ADIT stamp (also called an I-551 stamp) after you file Form I-90. Under 8 CFR 264.5(h), USCIS may issue temporary evidence of registration and status to a permanent or conditional resident who has properly filed a replacement application. Requests are made through the USCIS Contact Center, which may schedule a field office appointment. USCIS has in some cases mailed the stamp on a Form I-94 without an appointment, so ask the Contact Center which option applies to you. The stamp is placed in an unexpired foreign passport or on a Form I-94 with a photo.

Keep originals safe. Keep the receipt notice with the expired card, and keep copies of both. A receipt notice alone, without the card, is not accepted as proof of status for Form I-9 or for boarding, and a lost receipt notice can be replaced only by requesting a duplicate from USCIS, which takes time.

Expedite Requests

USCIS may expedite a Form I-90 at its discretion. Expedite requests are made through the USCIS Contact Center or the online account after the case is receipted, and they must be supported by evidence. Criteria listed in the USCIS Policy Manual (Volume 1, Part A, Chapter 5) include, but are not limited to:

• Severe financial loss to a company or person, as long as the urgency is not the result of a failure to file on time or to respond to a request for evidence on time.
• Emergencies or urgent humanitarian situations.
• A nonprofit organization designated by the IRS whose request furthers the cultural or social interests of the United States.
• Government interests, including cases identified by the government as urgent because they involve public interest, public safety, or national interest.
• Clear USCIS error.

For renewal applicants, the 36-month receipt notice extension reduces the need to expedite. An expedite request may be considered where a card was lost and the applicant needs evidence of status urgently; an ADIT stamp may also be an option in that situation. USCIS does not promise a decision by any date, and a granted expedite request means only that the case is moved ahead for review.

Travel While a Renewal Is Pending

A permanent resident may travel abroad while Form I-90 is pending. Carry the original receipt notice with the expired card, since airlines and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers rely on the two documents together. Points to plan around:

• Trips under one year. Under 8 CFR 211.1(a)(2), a returning resident may present the Form I-551 after an absence of less than one year. The receipt notice extension is treated the same way for the 36-month period.
• Absences of more than 180 days. Under INA 101(a)(13)(C)(ii), a permanent resident who has been absent continuously for more than 180 days is treated as an applicant for admission on return, which allows CBP to examine whether residence has been abandoned. Abandonment turns on all the circumstances, not on a single day count, and CBP may ask about it after an absence of any length. The one-year document rule and the 180-day admission rule are separate from each other and from the continuous residence rules for naturalization.
• Trips approaching or over one year. A green card, even with the extension, is not a valid reentry document after an absence of one year or more. A reentry permit (Form I-131) is generally valid for up to two years, with shorter validity in some circumstances under 8 CFR 223. It must be filed while you are physically in the United States, and USCIS generally requires biometrics, so plan the appointment before departure. A reentry permit does not guarantee admission and does not by itself prevent a finding of abandonment. If you are already abroad past a year without one, a returning resident (SB-1) visa from a U.S. consulate may be required.
• Biometrics while abroad. If USCIS schedules biometrics while you are away and you miss the appointment without rescheduling, the application may be denied as abandoned. Reschedule through the online account or the Contact Center before the appointment date.
• Card mailed while abroad. USCIS mails the new card to your U.S. address. The Postal Service will not forward it, so plan for someone to receive it or wait until you return.

Special Situations

Your Card Expires While You Are Abroad, or Is Lost Abroad

USCIS advises that a permanent resident who is outside the United States when the card is within six months of expiring, but who will return within one year of departure and before the card expires, should file Form I-90 as soon as they return. If the card expires while you are abroad, the airline may refuse boarding. Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, or CBP at the arrival airport, for guidance before traveling. If the card is lost, stolen, or destroyed while you are abroad and you have been away less than one year (or less than two years with a valid reentry permit), Form I-131A, Application for Carrier Documentation, lets you request a boarding foil so an airline can board you. As of November 4, 2026, the Form I-131A fee is $575, paid online before appearing at the consulate, with a $0 fee for refugees, people paroled as refugees, and permanent residents who obtained status as refugees, as listed on the USCIS fee schedule. Under 8 CFR 211.1(b)(3), a returning resident who arrives without the card may also ask the officer at the port of entry to waive the document for good cause; a fee for that waiver (Form I-193) may apply. Permanent residents who were admitted as refugees should also review the refugee travel document page.

Turning 14

Under 8 CFR 264.5(b)(8) and the Form I-90 instructions, a child who received a green card before age 14 must apply to replace it within 30 days after the 14th birthday, unless the card will expire before the 16th birthday. When the card expires after the 16th birthday, this required replacement has a $0 filing fee. When the card will expire before the 16th birthday, filing at 14 is optional; if the family chooses to file, the general fee applies. Biometrics are generally collected at this filing, since the new card carries a current photograph and fingerprint.

Name or Biographic Changes

Under 8 CFR 264.5(b)(4), a permanent resident must apply for a new card when their name or other biographic information has legally changed. The Form I-90 instructions call for a copy of the legal document that made the change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, adoption decree, or court order, together with a copy of the current card. A change in other biographic data, such as a corrected date of birth, requires official documents verifying the new information. The fee is the general fee unless the error was made by DHS.

Card Issued with a USCIS Error

If the card was issued with incorrect information because of a DHS error, the filing fee is $0, and the original card must be submitted with the application. Evidence showing the correct information should be included. Filing promptly after the card arrives makes it easier to show the error was USCIS's rather than a mistake on your own application. If the error came from information you provided, the general fee applies.

Commuters

Permanent residents who live in Canada or Mexico and commute to work in the United States hold a special commuter status under 8 CFR 211.5. Under 8 CFR 264.5(b)(5), a permanent resident must file Form I-90 when taking up commuter status, and a commuter must file when taking up actual residence in the United States.

Advanced Age or Physical Infirmity

Under 8 CFR 264.5(i), USCIS may waive the photograph and fingerprint requirements for an applicant who is confined because of advanced age or physical infirmity. Requests should be supported by medical documentation. Applicants who cannot travel to an Application Support Center can ask the USCIS Contact Center what accommodations are available for the biometrics appointment.

Pending Removal Proceedings

Under 8 CFR 264.5(g), a permanent resident in removal proceedings remains entitled to evidence of status until a final order of removal is entered. USCIS may issue temporary evidence valid until proceedings conclude, and the regulation states that issuing it does not affect the proceedings. Anyone in proceedings should coordinate the I-90 filing with their removal defense attorney.

Long Absences and Questions of Abandonment

A new card does not fix a question about abandonment of residence. An absence of more than 180 days makes a returning permanent resident an applicant for admission under INA 101(a)(13)(C)(ii), and an absence of one year or more without a reentry permit generally means the green card can no longer be used to return. Whether residence has been abandoned depends on all the circumstances, including ties to the United States and the purpose and length of the absence. Those who have been abroad for an extended period may need a returning resident (SB-1) visa from a U.S. consulate instead. If you plan to be away for a year or more, a reentry permit filed before departure, while you are in the United States, can help. Biometrics-linked records and CBP entry and exit data can bring long absences to USCIS's attention after a Form I-90 is filed, so a history of extended travel should be reviewed with an attorney before filing.

If USCIS Denies or Rejects Your Form I-90

Rejection means USCIS did not accept the filing, for reasons such as a missing signature, wrong fee, outdated form edition, or an incomplete form. A rejected application is returned without a receipt, and the fee is not deposited. You may correct the problem and refile.

Denial means USCIS adjudicated the case and refused it. Under 8 CFR 264.5(f), USCIS notifies the applicant of the reasons, and there is no appeal from a Form I-90 denial. You may file Form I-290B as a motion to reopen (presenting new facts with supporting evidence) or a motion to reconsider (showing the decision was legally wrong). Under 8 CFR 103.5(a)(1)(i), the motion must be filed within 30 calendar days of service of the decision, or 33 calendar days if the decision was mailed, with limited provisions for late motions, and the Form I-290B fee is listed on the USCIS fee schedule. In some situations, filing a new Form I-90 with the correct evidence is the more practical route. A denial based on a finding that you are not a permanent resident, for example because USCIS believes status was abandoned or terminated, can have serious status and removal consequences and should be reviewed with an attorney at once.

Current Rules and Policy Developments Affecting Green Card Holders

• Fees. The April 1, 2024 USCIS fee rule set the current $465 paper and $415 online Form I-90 fees and removed the separate biometrics fee. As of November 4, 2026, the Form G-1055 fee schedule lists the same Form I-90 amounts. Fees for other forms have changed since 2024, so check the edition date on the live schedule before filing.
• Current form edition. The Form I-90 edition dated 01/20/25 is the edition listed on the USCIS Form I-90 page as of November 4, 2026. Applications on outdated editions or with mixed-edition pages may be rejected.
• 36-month proof-of-status extension. Effective September 10, 2024, USCIS extended the validity of Form I-90 renewal receipt notices from 24 to 36 months from the card's expiration date. That extension remains in place as of November 4, 2026.
• Adjudication holds for nationals of certain countries. USCIS has at times placed holds on the adjudication of benefit requests filed by nationals of countries subject to presidential entry restrictions, and the forms covered have changed over time. A permanent resident who is a national of a country subject to such restrictions should confirm with an attorney whether a current hold reaches Form I-90 before filing.
• Proposed expansion of biometrics. In November 2025, DHS published a proposed rule, "Collection and Use of Biometrics by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services" (DHS Docket USCIS-2025-0205, RIN 1615-AC99), that would expand the collection and use of biometrics in immigration benefit requests, including by removing the age limits that currently exempt young children. As of November 4, 2026, no final rule has been identified; the proposal has no effect unless and until a final rule is published in the Federal Register.
• Alien registration. In 2025, DHS published an interim final rule on alien registration and evidence of registration. Permanent residents are already registered, so there is no new registration step for them, but the rule drew attention to the existing INA 264(e) requirement to carry evidence of registration, which a current card or a renewal receipt notice with the expired card satisfies.

Renewal or Naturalization?

The USCIS Form I-90 page suggests checking naturalization eligibility before filing. Permanent residents renewing a 10-year card have, by definition, held residence for years and may already meet the residence requirement for citizenship. In general, under INA 316 and 319, a permanent resident may apply to naturalize after five years of permanent residence, or after three years if married to and living with a U.S. citizen, along with continuous residence, physical presence, good moral character, and English and civics requirements. Form N-400 may be filed up to 90 days before the residence requirement is met.

• Citizenship ends the renewal cycle. A U.S. citizen does not need a green card, receives a Certificate of Naturalization, and can apply for a U.S. passport. Citizenship also ends the abandonment-of-residence rules that apply to permanent residents who spend long periods abroad.
• Card timing still matters. Since December 2022, USCIS has issued Form N-400 receipt notices that, presented with the expired card, extend proof of status for 24 months for applicants whose card expired or will expire. A naturalization case that is still pending when that 24-month period ends leaves the applicant without current proof of status. Depending on the circumstances, the options include filing Form I-90 as well or requesting temporary evidence of status from USCIS; which one fits is a case-specific decision.
• Review history first. Naturalization looks at a longer period of conduct and travel than a card renewal, with added weight on good moral character, so the same history review applies.

See the naturalization page for eligibility and the N-400 process, and the article on how long it takes to become a U.S. citizen for timing.

Risks, Traps, and Common Problems in Green Card Renewal Cases

Filing Form I-90 on a two-year card. Conditional residents with an expiring card must file to remove conditions. A Form I-90 does not stop conditional status from terminating.

Wrong fee or outdated fee information. Older guidance lists a $455 filing fee plus an $85 biometrics fee. Those amounts are no longer current, and an application with the wrong fee is rejected.

Outdated form edition. USCIS may reject a paper filing on an old edition or with pages from different editions.

Unsigned or incomplete forms. USCIS rejects forms without a signature. An incomplete form may be rejected or may draw a request for evidence that delays the case.

Criminal history. Filing Form I-90 leads to biometrics and background checks. An arrest, even without a conviction, or a conviction that was never reviewed for immigration consequences, can come to USCIS's attention through those checks and raise questions about removability. These issues should be reviewed before filing.

Long absences and abandonment. Background checks and CBP travel records can bring long trips abroad to USCIS's attention. A renewal does not cure abandonment of residence.

Address changes. A new card mailed to an old address may be returned or lost. Update your address with USCIS whenever you move while the case is pending, and remember the separate 10-day change-of-address requirement under INA 265.

Missing the biometrics appointment. If you cannot attend, follow the rescheduling instructions on the notice. Missing the appointment without rescheduling can lead to denial for abandonment.

Relying on the receipt notice alone. The extension applies only when the receipt notice is presented with the expired card. Keep both together.

Fee waiver denial. If USCIS denies a Form I-912 request, the application is rejected, and the clock to get a receipt notice starts over.

Not checking the new card. Errors in the name, date of birth, or other data should be reported promptly so they can be corrected at no fee if the error was USCIS's.

Assuming a denial can be appealed. There is no appeal from a Form I-90 denial. A motion to reopen with new facts or a motion to reconsider showing a legal error may be filed, or a new application may be needed.

Using an unlicensed preparer. "Notarios" and online form-filling services are not authorized to give legal advice. A preparer who fails to spot a criminal or abandonment issue cannot fix the consequences later.

Frequently Asked Questions About Green Card Renewal

• How do I renew my green card?
  File Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, with USCIS online or by mail, with a copy of your current card, the correct fee, and any required evidence. Attend biometrics if USCIS schedules them, and keep the receipt notice with your expired card until the new card arrives.
• When should I renew my green card?
  File when your 10-year card has expired or will expire within the next six months. If the card is lost, stolen, damaged, or incorrect, file as soon as the problem arises.
• How much does it cost to renew a green card?
  As of November 4, 2026, the Form I-90 filing fee is $465 on paper or $415 online for the general category, with no separate biometrics fee. A few categories have a $0 fee, and a fee waiver may be requested on Form I-912 with a paper filing. Confirm the fee on the USCIS fee schedule before filing.
• Do I lose my permanent resident status if my green card expires?
  No. Permanent resident status does not end when the card expires. However, you are required to carry valid evidence of status, and an expired card alone can cause problems with employment, travel, and identification.
• Can I work and travel while my renewal is pending?
  Yes. When USCIS accepts a renewal for an expiring or expired card, the receipt notice together with your expired card is evidence of permanent resident status for 36 months from the card's expiration date, and the notice states that you remain authorized to work and travel. Admission on return still depends on the usual rules about time abroad.
• How long does green card renewal take?
  Timelines vary and can change. Check the USCIS processing-times tool for Form I-90 for current estimates. Biometrics, requests for evidence, and background checks can affect the timeline.
• Can I renew a two-year conditional green card with Form I-90?
  No. A conditional resident whose card is expiring files Form I-751 (family-based) or Form I-829 (EB-5) to remove conditions during the 90 days before the card expires. Form I-90 is used by conditional residents only when the card is not expiring within 90 days and it was lost, stolen, destroyed, never received, damaged, issued with a USCIS error, or shows legally changed biographic information.
• What if my green card is lost or stolen?
  File Form I-90 to replace it. If you need evidence of status while waiting, USCIS may issue an ADIT stamp. If the card was lost abroad and you have been away less than one year, Form I-131A can provide a boarding foil so an airline can board you.
• Does my child need a new green card at 14?
  Yes, a child who received a card before age 14 must apply to replace it within 30 days after the 14th birthday, unless the card will expire before the 16th birthday, in which case filing is optional. When the card expires after the 16th birthday, the required filing has a $0 fee.
• Can a past arrest cause problems when I renew?
  It can. Form I-90 leads to biometrics and background checks, and an arrest or conviction may come to USCIS's attention and raise questions about removability even years later. Any criminal history should be reviewed for immigration consequences before filing.
• Should I apply for citizenship instead of renewing?
  If you are eligible, naturalization ends the need to renew a green card. A properly filed Form N-400 produces a receipt notice that, with the expired card, extends proof of status for 24 months. If the naturalization case may outlast that period, filing Form I-90 as well or requesting temporary evidence of status are options to discuss with an attorney.
• I lost my receipt notice. Can I still use the 36-month extension?
  The extension is shown on the receipt notice itself, so without it you have no document to present with the expired card. Request a duplicate notice through the USCIS Contact Center or your online account, and ask about an ADIT stamp if you need proof of status before it arrives.
• Can I file Form I-90 if my green card expired years ago?
  Yes. Status does not end because the card expired, and the Form I-90 fee is the same whether the card expired last month or years ago. A long-expired card can prompt questions at a biometrics appointment or interview about where you have been living, so review any extended time abroad before filing.
• Can I renew my green card from outside the United States?
  USCIS advises filing Form I-90 after you return if you will be back within one year and before the card expires. If the card is lost abroad, Form I-131A is the route to a boarding document. Consult an attorney if you have been outside the United States for close to a year or longer.
• Will my employer accept an expired green card with the receipt notice?
  For a new hire, yes. USCIS guidance for employers treats the expired card presented with a Form I-90 renewal receipt notice as acceptable List A evidence of identity and employment authorization during the 36-month extension period. A current employer should not reverify a permanent resident solely because the card expired.
• Does renewing my green card affect my eligibility for citizenship?
  No. Form I-90 does not restart the continuous residence period for naturalization, and a pending or approved renewal has no effect on an N-400 application, as long as the renewal does not reveal a problem such as abandonment or a disqualifying conviction.