Immigration - How to Renew Green Card

Getting a permanent resident card is a time consuming process, but the result is definitely worth it. With a valid alien registration card, the person gets the liberty to live and work in the US. Therefore, it is very important for a person to renew green card without fail to maintain the legal status.

Why should you renew green card?

The US law stresses the need to renew green card in section 264 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. According to it "Every alien in the United States Shall be issued a certificate of alien registration or an alien registration receipt card in such form and manner, and at such time as shall be prescribed under regulations", Also "Every alien, eighteen years of age and above, shall at all times carry with him and have in his personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card issued to him. Any alien who fails to comply with [these provisions] shall be guilty of a misdemeanor."

Even though the current permanent resident cards are valid for 10years and the permanent resident should go in for permanent resident card i renewal, the alien registration card status of that person is for his/her total lifetime. A person should renew alien registration card as:

·Having an outdated or expired alien registration card will make it difficult for the person to work in the US.

·The US government incorporates latest technological advancements in its recent updates of the Green card. So a Green card with all the latest security measures is a must.

·A Green card is an important identification document and a valid one is a must for hassle free return to the US after any International travel.

When should you renew permanent resident card ?

Form I-90 is used to renew permanent resident card. The same is also used to replace a permanent resident card when it gets stolen, mutilated or damaged. A person should file the above said form to renew alien registration card when the card is about to expire within the next six months or has already expired. Filing in I-90 before six months will lead to the application getting rejected.

When a person has an older version of the Green card, then Form I-90 needs to be filed. Though these cards have no expiry dates, USCIS recommends the permanent residents to renew alien registration card.

How to renew permanent resident card if you are residing outside the US?

If the Green card holder is residing out of the US and the alien registration card is about to expire, then the permanent resident should file in to renew permanent resident card as soon as he/she is back in the country. This will be applicable to only those, who have a valid alien registration card and will be back in the US within 1 year of their departure.

In the other circumstance, wherein the Green card holder is outside the US with an expired Green card, then he/she must contact the nearest US embassy or Consulate as to what to do before filing in I-90 to renew alien registration card.

How to renew permanent resident card if you are a conditional resident?

The validity of a conditional permanent resident card is just 2 yrs after which they need to file in the appropriate form to remove the conditions. They cannot renew alien registration card just like the normal alien registration card holders.

Form I-751 - Petition to remove conditions on residence should be filed if the conditional status was based on marriage. Form I-829 - Petition by entrepreneur to remove conditions on permanent resident status should be filed if the conditional status was based on the applicant being an investor.

What is the process to renew green card?

The renewal process can either be by e-filing of Form I-90 or filing the paper version of the same form by mail with the USCIS. The status of the application can be checked online at the 'My case Status' section of the USCIS website.

What if the USCIS rejects the application?

In case the application that you file to renew green card has been rejected, a letter citing the reasons for denial will be dispatched to you. USCIS does not allow applicants to appeal a negative decision. However, a motion to reopen or reconsider can be started with the same office that denied the application. This is like requesting the USCIS to reconsider and reexamine its decision.