Green Card Renewal

Please Note: This post was published in 2015 and may not contain current information.

Please Contact VERDIN Law for current immigration law questions.

When to Renew a Green Card?

You should renew a green card (permanent resident card) if you were issued a card valid for ten years – that has either expired or will expire within the next six months.

Note: If you are a conditional resident and your status is expiring, these instructions do not apply to you. In that case, you must use Form I-751, Petition to Remove the Conditions on Residence, to apply to remove the conditions on your permanent resident status. For more information, see our Conditional Permanent Residence webpage.

Protect Yourself – Hire an Experienced Immigration Lawyer

Immigrants may be tempted to hire an immigration consultant or “notario” to assist them with the green card process; because notarios may offer their services at a reduced price.  That price, however, usually comes at a large cost.  Notarios often use false advertising to market themselves as legally qualified – when really they may have little to no immigration expertise or experience.

Questions? Please Contact VERDIN Law. Or call us today at 214-741-1700.

Conditional Residents

If your permanent resident card is valid for only two years, then you are not a permanent resident; you are a conditional resident.  It’s best to think of conditional residency as it sounds:  the person is a permanent resident with conditions attached.  Thus, these persons have to file petitions to remove the conditions on their residence prior to their card’s expiration date. Conditional residents should file these petitions to remove the conditions on their status 90 days before their conditional green card expires.

If your permanent resident card does not have any expiration date on the front, then you have a very old version. Most old versions are no longer valid.  As a result, even if your card does not have an expiration date on it, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS or the Service) recommends that you apply to renew it.  Like explained above, even if an “old version” is no longer valid, that does not mean that the holder of the card has lost his or her permanent resident status.  His or her permanent resident status remains intact even though the card is no longer valid.

If you have been convicted of any criminal offenses or have recently been arrested, we recommend that you speak with legal counsel prior to renewing your green card.  Background checks are typically required when green cards are renewed.

How to Renew a Green Card

To renew your permanent resident card, you must complete and submit a Form I-90 with USCIS.  USCIS provides instructions for how to complete the form.  It is important to note that permanent resident children must renew their green cards when they turn 14 years of age. A Form I-90 is submitted for that purpose as well.

If you are a conditional resident and your status is expiring, you should not submit a Form I-90 with USCIS.  Instead, you must file a petition with USCIS to remove the conditions on your residence.  If your conditional status was based on a marriage, file a Form I-751 with USCIS. If your conditional status was based on being an investor or entrepreneur, file a Form I-829 to remove the conditions on your residence.  Removing the conditions on your residence can be a tricky process, and if you fail to file the petition before the expiration date, you could lose your permanent residence altogether.  We advise that you carefully review the instructions for these forms and speak with legal counsel if your card’s expiration date is near. The earlier you get started on the process, the better.

Replacing a Green Card

Permanent residents should also file a Form I-90 to replace their current green card.  The following green cards can be replaced and/or corrected:

• Green cards that been lost, stolen, destroyed, or mutilated,
• Those that were issued but never received,
• Those that contain incorrect data,
• Those that contain a name that has since been legally change

E Visa or Immigration Questions? Please Contact VERDIN Law

Isaul VERDIN has extensive experience advising multinational companies and entrepreneurs on complex US immigration matters involving investments.

Mr. VERDIN focuses on advising companies on structuring entities, acquisitions, and strategic expansion to satisfy US immigration E-1, E2, L1A, L1B, or EB-1 objectives in a variety of fields; including real estate, aviation, technology, manufacturing, retail, luxury goods, and professional services. Additionally, he litigates deportation defense matters throughout the US.

VERDIN boasts a combined 70 years of experience in immigration law. Since its inception, VERDIN has gained a reputation for prevailing in even the most complicated immigration matters.

“As a Board Certified, Immigration Lawyer (Texas Board of Legal Specialization) with over 17 years of experience, my passion is immigration law. We will listen to your concerns, answer all your questions, and expertly guide you through your immigration process.” ~ Isaul VERDIN, Founder and Managing Attorney

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