Green Card Renewal Services

Your green card lets you live and work in the U.S. as a legal permanent resident, but it does expire after 10 years. It’s important to renew it on time to keep your legal status intact. Unfortunately, there are some common mistakes people make that can lead to delays.

Having an expired green card can cause serious problems. Without a valid green card, you could face difficulties when traveling, such as being unable to re-enter the U.S. after a trip abroad. You might also encounter problems when applying for a job, as employers are required to verify your legal status.

It can also make it harder to get Federal benefits, renew your driver’s license, or prove that you’re a legal resident in the U.S. Renewing your green card on time helps you avoid these problems and ensures you can continue living and working in the U.S. without any issues.

Here’s a guide to help you understand how to renew your green card, the mistakes to watch out for, and how FileRight can make the process easier.

How to Renew Your Green Card

To renew a green card, you need to fill out Form I-90, the Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. Here’s what you need to do:

Complete Form I-90: This is the main form you’ll need to apply for renewal. It asks for your personal information, like your name, address, and details about your green card.
Prepare Your Documents: You’ll need to provide some supporting documents, like a copy of your current green card. If you’ve changed your name, you’ll need to include proof of that, too.
Pay the Fees: There is a fee to submit your Form I-90, so make sure you check the current cost before applying.
Submit Your Application: After filling out the form and gathering your documents, submit your application to USCIS. You’ll also need to schedule a biometric appointment as part of the process.
Wait for Your Green Card: Once you’ve submitted everything, USCIS will process your application and send you your renewed green card if everything is in order.

Common Mistakes When Renewing Your Green Card

Renewing your green card might seem easy, but even small mistakes can cause delays, requests for more information, or even a denial. Many people don’t realize how important it is to double-check their forms and include all the required documents. Something as minor as forgetting to sign the form can slow down the process. Since USCIS does not give refunds for application fees, errors can lead to extra costs and longer wait times.

To help you avoid these issues, here are some of the most common errors people make when renewing their green cards and how you can prevent them:

Incomplete or Wrong Information: If you don’t fill out all sections of Form I-90 correctly, your application might be delayed or rejected. Even small mistakes can cause problems.
Waiting Too Long: You can renew your green card within six months before it expires. Waiting too close to the expiration date may result in a lapse in your legal status.
Missing Documents: If you forget to include important documents, such as a copy of your current green card or proof of a name change, USCIS may return your application or delay it.
Not Updating Your Personal Information: If you’ve changed your address or name (because of marriage, for example) since you got your green card, it’s important to update that information with USCIS.
Incorrect Payment: If you pay the wrong fee, your application could be delayed or denied. Always check for the current filing fee.

How to Fix These Mistakes

The best way to avoid problems is by carefully filling out your application. Here’s how to prevent the common mistakes:

Double-check Your Form: Take a careful look at the whole form to make sure everything is filled out correctly. Double-check your name, address, and all other personal details to make sure they are accurate and consistent.
Renew Early: Don’t wait until your green card expires. Apply for your renewal as early as possible to avoid any issues.
Collect Your Documents: Before you start, make sure you have all the required documents, like a copy of your current green card. If your information has changed, gather the proof you need.
Check the Filing Fee: The filing fee may change over time, so check the current amount before you submit your application.

USCIS Changes to Green Card Renewals

In September 2024, USCIS made a beneficial change by extending the validity of green cards. If you file Form I-90 to renew yours, its validity will now be extended for 36 months beyond your card’s current expiration date. Regardless of this extension, it is still very important to renew your green card early.

What This Means:

No Immediate Panic: If your green card is expiring or has expired, you still have valid proof of your lawful permanent resident (LPR) status for three more years.
Receipt Notice as Proof: Once you submit Form I-90, USCIS will send you a receipt notice. You can use this notice along with your expired green card as valid proof of your status.
Employment & Travel Authorization: The amended receipt notice allows you to continue working legally and traveling internationally for up to 36 months while waiting for your new green card.
Pending Applications Included: If you already filed Form I-90 and haven’t received your new green card yet, USCIS is sending out updated receipt notices with the 36-month extension.

This update helps prevent disruptions for green card holders by giving them more time to renew without losing important rights and benefits.

How FileRight Can Help You Renew Your Green Card

Renewing your green card doesn’t have to be stressful. FileRight makes the process simple and helps you avoid costly mistakes. Here’s how we can guide you through the renewal:

Eligibility Check: FileRight helps you determine if you’re eligible to renew your green card and ensures you meet all the requirements before applying.
Step-by-Step Help with Form I-90: Our easy-to-follow procedure guides you through every section of Form I-90 to make sure all the information is accurate.
Error Checking: Our software checks your form for any common errors way before you submit it, helping you avoid processing delays or rejections.
Document Help: FileRight helps you organize the required documents, ensuring you have what you need and everything is in order.
How to Submit: We provide clear, easy-to-follow instructions on how to submit your completed application to USCIS, including how to handle fees, where to sign, and where to send it.
Ongoing Support: If you have questions or concerns, FileRight’s customer support is here to assist you.

Let FileRight Remove the Worries of Renewing Your Green Card

Renewing your green card is an important part of keeping your permanent resident status. However, small mistakes on your application can cause delays, and it’s easy to miss a detail. FileRight makes the process simple by offering step-by-step guidance, checking for errors, and helping with your documents. With our support, you can avoid mistakes and be confident your application is correct from the start. Let us help make the renewal process easier for you.