Your Green Card Expired: Consequences & How To Renew It

Bradford H. Bernstein

This article was written and reviewed by Bradford H. Bernstein, a second-generation leader at Law Offices of Spar & Bernstein, P.C., who has helped over 100,000 clients with immigration and personal injury issues. Brad joined the firm in 1993, became a partner in 1997, and assumed leadership in 2000 after Harry Spar retired.

View Brad's Bio

Bradford H. Bernstein

Green Card Expiry: Key Points

• You need to renew your Green Card if it expired or is expiring within six months.
• An expired Green Card can create challenges when proving your legal status, securing employment, traveling, and accessing certain services
• The fee for renewing your Green Card is $465 if you file a paper application, and $415 if you submit your application online
• The time to renew your Green Card is 17.5 months
• Filing a renewal application extends your Green Card’s validity by 36 months while it’s pending

Out of the 13 million Green Card holders in the U.S., about 5.5 million have expired Green Cards due to oversight, forgetfulness, or other reasons.

A valid Green Card is crucial in proving your legal status in the United States. But what should you do if your Green Card expired?

We will:

• Explain the steps of the renewal process
• List the filing fee and processing time
• Answer frequently asked questions about Green Card renewal

What Are The Consequences If Your Green Card Expired

If your Green Card has expired and you haven’t renewed it on time, you may face legal and administrative issues:

Difficulty Proving Lawful Permanent Residence (LPR) Status

If your Green Card is not valid, it may not be accepted as proof of your immigration status, which can create issues with government agencies, employers, or law enforcement.

Problems With Employment

A valid Green Card shows employers you have the right to work in the United States. If your Green Card has expired, this may complicate Form I-9 verification and lead to job disruptions.

Issues With Travel

If your Green Card is expired, you may face issues with re-entering the U.S. when traveling internationally.

Delays In Future Immigration Applications

If you plan to apply for U.S. citizenship or petition for family members, an expired Green Card could slow down these processes.

Challenges In Accessing Services

Many institutions, like banks and government agencies, require a valid Green Card for identification purposes, and you may face difficulties if your Green Card is no longer valid.

How To Renew An Expired Green Card

To renew an expired Green Card, follow these steps:

1. Determine Eligibility

Before applying, confirm that you are eligible for renewal. You can renew your Green Card if:

• Your card has already expired or will expire within the next six months.
• Your existing Green Card is a 10-year card (if you have a 2-year conditional Green Card, you will need to remove conditions, which is a different process).

2. Collect Documents

You’ll need the following:

• Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website
• Your expired Green Card

3. Complete Form I-90

Provide accurate personal details, including your A-Number and card expiration date.

Choose “renewal” as the reason for filing.

4. Pay The Filing Fee

Pay online (if filing electronically) or via check/money order if filing by mail.

5. Submit Your Application

You can file Form I-90:

• Online: in this case, you must create a USCIS account and upload a scanned copy of your expired Green Card.
• By mail, along with a copy of your expired card to:

U.S. Postal Service (USPS):

USCIS

Attn: I-90

P.O. Box 21262

Phoenix, AZ 85036-1262

FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:

USCIS

Attn: I-90 (Box 21262)

2108 E. Elliot Rd.

Tempe, AZ 85284-1806

6. Attend Biometrics Appointment

Once you file Form I-90, USCIS will schedule a biometrics appointment at a local Application Support Center (ASC) to collect your fingerprints, photograph, and signature.

You will receive Form I-797C, Notice of Action, with the date, time, and location of your appointment.

7. Track Your Application Status

You can check your case status online using your USCIS receipt number.

USCIS may request additional evidence (RFE) if information is missing or unclear.

8. Receive Your New Green Card

If approved, USCIS will mail your new 10-year Green Card to your address.

Renewing your Green Card may be challenging, especially if you’re unsure of the process or don’t know which application document version to use.

Working with an immigration lawyer can help you navigate the renewal process and explore legal paths if your case is complex — for example, if you have a criminal record.

Green Card Renewal Fee

If you are filing Form I-90 on paper, you will need to pay $465. If you are filing your application online, the fee is $415.

As of April 1, 2024, there is no separate biometrics fee for most applications, including Form I-90.

You may have the right to qualify for a fee waiver, so check the eligibility criteria or ask an experienced immigration attorney.

How Long Does It Take To Renew Your Green Card

Processing Form I-90 for 10-year renewal cards currently takes 17.5 months.

Several factors may affect the timeline, including the volume of applications USCIS is processing and the complexity of individual cases.

Extended Green Card Validity For Renewal Applicants

As of September 10, 2024, USCIS automatically extends the validity of expiring or expired Green Cards for 36 months when you file Form I-90 for renewal and the application is pending.

If you have a pending Form I-90, USCIS will issue an amended receipt notice about this extension.

You can use the USCIS receipt notice along with your expired Green Card as:

• Evidence of your lawful permanent resident status
• Proof of employment authorization and travel authorization

Your Green Card Expired: Key Takeaways

Here’s what to remember when you want to renew your Green Card:

• Failure to renew your Green Card may cause various legal and administrative issues, from the inability to prove your immigration status to employment challenges.
• The fee for paper applications is $465, and $415 for online filing.
• Processing renewal applications takes approximately 17.5 months, depending on your case specifics and USCIS workload.
• Working with an immigration law firm can ensure you minimize the risk of delays.

Need To Renew Your Green Card? Spar & Bernstein Can Help

Renewing your expired Green Card can lead to unnecessary delays if your application is not accurately filled out and mailed to the correct address.

To relieve you of the stress and paperwork, our experienced immigration attorneys at Spar & Bernstein:

• Ensure all sections of Form I-90 are correctly completed
• Track the progress of your case and provide timely updates
• Act on your behalf if USCIS requests additional documents or there are delays
• Provide legal advice if you have a criminal record that may impact your Green Card renewal

Don’t risk errors or delays in your Green Card renewal. Let our dedicated team at Spar & Bernstein guide you every step of the way!

Your Green Card Expired: FAQs

If you have more questions about your expired Green Card, check out our section with commonly asked questions below.

Can I work while my Green Card is being renewed?

Yes, you can work while your Green Card renewal application is being processed. USCIS will send you a receipt notice extending the validity of your Green Card for 36 months from the expiration date, which you can use to prove your lawful permanent resident status.

Can I travel internationally if my Green Card has expired?

Traveling with an expired Green Card can be challenging when you are trying to re-enter the U.S. If you must travel, file Form I-90 and carry the USCIS receipt notice as proof of your pending renewal.

Is there a penalty for not renewing my Green Card?

While there is no fine, an expired Green Card can cause complications related to employment verification, travel, and residence proof.

What should I do if my Green Card expires while I’m outside the U.S.?

If your Green Card expires while you’re outside the U.S., contact the nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy. They will guide you through the process of returning to the U.S. and avoiding re-entry issues.

Can I renew my Green Card if I have a criminal record?

Having a criminal record may impact your Green Card renewal, depending on the seriousness of the offense. Certain crimes, such as aggravated felonies, could lead to deportation. If you have a criminal record, contact our immigration attorneys at Spar & Bernstein — they will recommend the best course of action, given your circumstances.

Do I need an attorney to renew my Green Card?

While you are not obliged to work with an attorney to renew your Green Card, they can prevent delays or denials due to incomplete or incorrect applications. Attorneys can also assist with complex cases — for example, if you have a criminal record.

Can I apply for U.S. citizenship with an expired Green Card?

Yes, you can apply for naturalization even with an expired Green Card by filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. Talk to our team at Spar & Bernstein for legal advice.