Is your green card expired or expiring in the next six months? If you have an expired or expiring green card, you don’t have to panic. Unless you committed a crime that will make you deportable, or you’re travelling outside the country, your lawful permanent residence status remains valid. You just need to follow the steps on how to renew your green card to ensure that you have the latest version issued by the U.S. government.
Your green card, also called a lawful permanent resident card, is a document that proves your legal status as an immigrant in the United States. It is valid for 10 years from issuance.
A valid green card will allow you to legally work and live in the United States. You can return from an overseas trip without issue if you have an unexpired green card. The peace of mind you will have with a valid green card makes it crucial to renew your green card as soon as possible.
With the ever-evolving immigration policies in the United States, making sure that your documents are always valid can make a big difference if you ever get in trouble. If you are a U.S. immigrant, make sure that you always have an immigration lawyer’s contact number.
If your green card is close to expiring or has already expired, you may be wondering how to renew your green card and what steps you need to take to stay compliant.
There are four essential steps to renew your green card:
First, you must file your renewal form with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) either online or by mail. This is the Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card.
If submitting online: Create an online account with the USCIS and complete the Form I-90.
If submitting by mail: Complete the hard copy (paper form) of the Form I-90.
You might be wondering, “when can I renew my green card?” We advise against applying for renewal earlier than six months before your green card expiration. USCIS might deny your application without giving you a refund.
Be ready with your required documents, such as your expired or expiring green card, which you will need to upload if you are applying online. If you are doing it by mail, you’ll need to photocopy your evidence.
Depending on your method of renewal, you may pay the fees as follows:
If you file online: After completing your Form I-90 through your USCIS online account, you will pay through the USCIS online payment portal using a credit/debit card or U.S. bank account (ACH).
If you file by mail: As of October 28, 2025, USCIS will only accept electronic payments for paper-filed forms. You must submit either Form G-1450 (Authorization for Credit Card Transactions) or Form G-1650 (Authorization for ACH Transactions) with your packet; checks or money orders will be rejected.
Review your application before signing it. If you apply online, you will be prompted to sign digitally.
Once you submit your application, within one to two weeks you will receive a notification from USCIS informing you of your biometrics appointment. Sometimes, USCIS will also inform you that you need to submit further documents.
You can renew your green card within six months of its expiration date. USCIS recommends submitting Form I-90 as soon as you enter that six-month window to avoid processing delays or problems with work authorization, travel, or identification.
If your card is already expired, you can still file for renewal, but you may need to provide extra documentation if you’re asked to prove your status while the renewal is pending.
If your green card was lost, stolen, damaged, or never received, you can file for a replacement at any time — you don’t need to wait for the expiration window.
Once USCIS receives your renewal form, it takes between 1.5 and 12 months for the application to be fully processed. This may sound like a long wait, especially if you have travel plans, employment needs, or other time-sensitive matters. So if you need your green card sooner, you may ask USCIS to provide you with an Alien Documentation, Identification & Telecommunications (ADIT) stamp. The ADIT stamp may be provided if you need to prove you’re a lawful permanent resident of the U.S while your renewal application is still pending.
You can check the current processing times for green card renewal on this USCIS page.
Being aware of these factors can help you plan ahead and minimize delays. Our team at Jorge Munoz Law Firm can assist in ensuring your application is complete and all requirements are met to help avoid unnecessary delays.
It is generally not possible to renew green card while abroad. If your green card is expiring in the next six months, but you will be back in the United States within the next 12 months from departure, file your green card renewal as soon as you arrive.
If your green card has already expired and you have no pending application for renewal, your best bet is to contact the U.S. Embassy or Port of Entry nearest to you and let them know your situation. If you are having a hard time, you may call our team, and we can discuss your options.
If your green card has conditions, which is common with marriage-based green cards, you can’t just renew it. You need to file a petition with the U.S. government to remove the conditions. Once your petition is approved, you will get a new 10-year green card that won’t need renewal for the next 9 years and 6 months.
If your green card expires, you don’t need to worry about penalties. Your status as a lawful permanent resident remains valid even after the card itself has expired, and there are no fines or fees for submitting a renewal after the expiration date.
However, keep in mind that an expired card can cause practical issues, such as difficulties traveling outside the U.S., proving your work eligibility, or accessing certain services, so it’s still important to renew as soon as possible.
At Jorge Munoz Law Firm, we assist clients who are looking to replace or renew their green card. With compassion, dedication, and comprehensive knowledge of U.S. immigration laws and procedures, our experienced team is ready to guide you all the way.
With guidance from an experienced firm like ours, you can minimize errors or mistakes and avoid delay or additional expenses. Contact Jorge Munoz Law Firm today to set an appointment.
