Green Card Renewal Processing Times

A “green card” is another name for a Permanent Resident Card. The card acts as the government’s declaration that the holder has been given permanent resident status in the country. It permits someone, not a citizen, to live and work here without first becoming one.

If you are now interested in retaining your status as a lawful permanent resident, the green card renewal timeline for 2023 may be helpful to you. Processing the required papers for a green card renewal or replacement falls under the purview of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Beginning September 26, 2022, lawful permanent residents who file a Form I-90, will automatically receive a 24-month green card renewal. They may show receipt of filing this form along with their original green card to prove its continued validity. Eligible conditional permanent residents who file a Form I-751 or Form I-829 (depending upon their situation) can receive a 48-month extension for the validity of their green card while their case is pending with USCIS.

In most situations, a green card is valid for 10 years of permanent resident status. For conditional permanent residency, the card is valid for 2 years. In both cases, you can receive your new card before the current one expires by submitting your completed paperwork on time.

Generally, permanent residents with a 10-year green card should apply for renewal within 6 months before the card expires or immediately if the card has already expired. Doing so will allow you to stick to the green card renewal timeline recommended by USCIS. Don’t apply too early, as the USCIS may deny your application but still keep your payment.

Conditional permanent residents are not permitted to renew their green cards. Instead, they will need to file a petition to remove the conditions of their residence before the card’s two-year expiration.

As proof that you qualify for a green card renewal, you need only provide a copy of your expired or soon-to-expire green card. If you need a new green card for a different reason –– for instance, if it was lost, stolen, or damaged –– you must provide additional documentation.

Follow these three steps to make your green card renewal process as smooth as possible.

The I-90, or the Application to Replace Permanent Residence Card (Green Card), is the tool through which you will submit your appeal to replace your permanent resident card. This is the first step on your green card renewal timeline. One would want to replace their permanent residence card for many different reasons. In this case, we’re talking about renewing a card that will expire within 6 months or has already expired.

Visit this website to find the form. You can fill out the form online, submit it, or print it and mail it to USCIS by post. Filing the form online is very easy; all you have to do is create a USCIS account, sign in, and fill out the form. You can then manage your application online through your account, pay the filing fees, and view your entire application history. If you prefer to send your form by post, you can find the address on the website too.

The form consists of 7 pages, which may seem long and overwhelming. Once you get to it, you will see that all the questions are quite simple. You will be asked to fill in the following information:

The form will be accepted after you pay a form filing fee of $455 and $85 for biometric services. After submitting the form along with the payment, you will receive a receipt confirmation from USCIS, either by email or mail, depending on the way you submit your application. It may take a couple of weeks, so be patient. In the email or letter, you will find a tracking number that will give you access to tracking your application online. Of course, if you submitted yours using a USCIS account, you can track your application through the account.

Though filling out the form is not a difficult task, you need to make sure all the information you provide is accurate and up-to-date. If you don’t feel comfortable filling it out yourself, you can purchase the services of an immigration lawyer or law firm. Failing to fill out the form correctly the first time around may lead to a deadline extension for your application.

The next step to renewing your green card is arranging your biometrics appointment. That appointment is covered by the $85 fee you paid during the first step of your application process. According to our green card renewal timeline, you should receive information about your upcoming biometrics appointment within 3-8 weeks after submitting your application.

Approximately 2-3 weeks after that, you will receive a biometrics appointment notice with all the necessary information, such as the date and time, address, and a list of what to bring. The most important thing to have with you is a valid form of ID, such as your passport or driver’s license.

During the appointment, your fingerprints, photo, and signature will be taken for the new green card. This information may also be used to run a background check on you.

It may take over 6 months from when you submitted the application to when your updated permanent resident card is issued. This may happen due to delays on the side of USCIS; do not worry about it. While you wait, you can track the green card renewal timeline on the USCIS website. Use the tracking number you received via email or post to check the status of your application.

How long does it take to renew your green card in 2023? After you submit your application, here’s what you should expect from the green card renewal timeline.

Upon accepting your application, USCIS will send you a letter with a 13-character “receipt number,” which consists of three letters and ten numbers, which can then be used to check the status of your application.

USCIS will also post a notification on your USCIS online account. If you don’t have an online account yet, USCIS will create one for you and include instructions on how to access it in the letter you receive by mail.

You should receive a biometric appointment notification within 1 to 2 weeks after USCIS receives your application (as discussed above, an appointment to take your fingerprints, photo, and signature). You may also be asked for additional documents or information as part of your green card renewal process. If this happens, respond by the deadline provided in the notice.

Maybe the green card renewal timeline is longer than you’d like. You may be issued an “Alien Documentation, Identification & Telecommunications” (ADIT) stamp by USCIS to prove your green card status if:

During the waiting period for your new green card, you are required to demonstrate your status as a lawful permanent resident –– for example, if you are applying for a job.
You applied for naturalization at least 6 months before your green card expired. In this case, you might be able to receive the ADIT stamp in lieu of filing Form I-90.
You can obtain an ADIT stamp by contacting the USCIS Contact Center or your nearest USCIS field office.

Currently, renewing a green card costs $540, which includes a $455 filing fee and $85 biometrics fee. The cost stays the same regardless of the green card renewal timeline. If you’re applying for a fee waiver, you do not have to pay either fee.

From filling out the I-90 form to receiving your new green card, a whole year might pass! Though you should not face many difficulties in submitting your green card renewal application or attending your biometrics appointment, it can still be a lengthy process, depending on the service center. You can get through your green card renewal timeline faster by ensuring your application is complete before submitting it, and attaching a request for expedited processing to your application.

Speaking with an immigration lawyer may help you understand the application process better. An attorney can ensure you’ve completed the form correctly and attached all the necessary documentation. If you can stick to the rules and guidelines issued by USCIS, and avoid incorrect information, you can complete your green card renewal application with ease and continue being a permanent resident in the U.S.