It is rarely a good idea to contact the USCIS in order to seek legal advice, and instead you should seek legal advice from an immigration attorney. Automated eligibility quizzes were created using instructions, rules and regulations published by the USCIS and only indicate whether you meet minimum eligibility requirements to apply for the given immigration benefit. Your access to and use of this site, including any purchase, is subject to and constitutes your agreement to the website Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Reddit is not a substitute for a real lawyer. Since your status as a lawful permanent resident is unrelated to the validity of your green card, you cannot be deported merely because your green card has run out. We have no connection to U.S. If filing online, you may be able to upload your supporting documents along with your application. We are not affiliated with or sponsored by the United States government or any government agency. Learn More, The Murthy Law Firm can conveniently and efficiently consult and/or represent clients located anywhere in the United States or abroad on U.S. immigration matters. An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, An official website of the United States government, To protect your privacy, please do not include any personal information in your feedback. Green card holders are required to prove their immigration status when reentering the country. When submitting your application by mail, you will need to send your packet to the appropriate USCIS address. professionalid 2 yr. ago Thanks a ton!!! This site provides general information on some commonly encountered immigration matters only and was created to allow you to more simply navigate your completion of immigration paperwork using online software. Effective Dec. 12, 2022, U.S. You will likely wait for one to three weeks to receive the notification of your application being accepted by USCIS. Automated eligibility quizzes were created using instructions, rules and regulations published by the USCIS and only indicate whether you meet minimum eligibility requirements to apply for the given immigration benefit. Call 60 days before your current card expires and request an infopass appointment. Check the lost green replacement process from inside and outside the United States. 359 views Jan 15, 2019 This friend filed for citizenship, and already completed his/her biometrics appointment. 19 N County St. Waukegan, IL 60085, Phone: (312) 357-0033 Before you continue, please understand that: Green card holders must renew their green card every ten years. Citizenship and Immigration Services or the Federal Government of the United States. The full processing time from applying for a renewal of your green card to the issuance of your new permanent green card can take anywhere from six to 10 months. The full processing time from applying for a renewal of your green card to the issuance of your new permanent green card can take anywhere from six to 10 months. Customer support is for technical and billing issues only and will not answer legal questions. You're still a resident. You can also be notified of the acceptance of your application form through text message or email by completing Form G-1145: e-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance and submitting it along with your green card application. You do not need to renew. Yes. What if my green card expires while waiting for renewal? Self-help software and customer support services are provided solely at a users direction. Dear Angela:My mom is fortunate to have her permanent resident status and has had it for a number of years. I'd suggest hiring an attorney so you don't have issues in the future. The Card's expiration will not subject you to authorization to remain in the U.S., but it may stand in the way of such things as: traveling outside the U.S. and re-entering; renewing In general, you must apply for a new green card within six months of your current green card expiring. Nevertheless, you may run into some issues if your green card expires. You must prove your inability to pay the application fee in one of the following ways: 1. The USCIS has created Form I-90 specifically for the purpose of replacing an expired green card. However, you do not need to wait to receive the new card before filing for naturalization. R. You have 2 choices: 1. A green card is merely evidence of your lawful immigration status. [Note: Consistent with Avvo policy, this communication is intended as general information and not specific legal advice, and this communication does not create an attorney-client relationship.] Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is automatically extending the validity of Permanent Resident Cards (also known as Green Many people who are applying for citizenship with an expiring or expired green card successfully complete Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. If you need to replace your green card because it has been lost or stolen or is due to expire, you will need to file Form I-90. You can continue to work in the United States legally, even if your green card expires. An expiring, expired, or lost green card could cause unwanted problems Marina Alexandrovich provides only LEGAL advice, and does not provide any tax/business/accounting/image or any other non-legal advice, except LEGAL advice. Once you get to six months until your card expires, it is time to renew. The time it takes to complete the naturalization process can vary significantly. Legal permanent residents should apply to renew their green cards within 6 months of the cards expiration date. Sign up for our email list below to get the latest information on immigration law from Richard Hanus, or click here to contact us today and get direct help from an immigration attorney that cares. In the majority of green card renewal applications, you will not need to worry about your renewal being denied. We do not make form recommendations or recommend or provide answers to specific questions on forms, and communications between you and us are not protected by any privilege. USCIS is a terrible reflection on the US government. We do not make form recommendations or recommend or provide answers to specific questions on forms, and communications between you and us are not protected by any privilege. Your current green card expires within six months, Your current green card was lost, stolen, or damaged. But due to Covid, it got cancelled and do not know when I will get the reschedule. Should she renew her green card ASAP? While USCIS technically requires that you have a valid green card at the time of your interview, applying for citizenship with an expired green card will likely not affect your application. Potentially. Decisions on expediting an application are made on a case-by-case basis and are entirely at the discretion of USCIS. Before beginning the process, you must ensure you are eligible. Everyone is right except for the fact that theyre not making infopass appointments except for emergencies, Thanks for the heads up, I gotta look into this. If you apply for citizenship when your green card is going to expire in less than six months, you may need to apply to renew your green card while you are waiting to be approved for citizenship. What happens if you have an expired green card? You can work with an expired Green Card. To be clear, if you presented an unexpired, valid green card at the time that your I-9 was originally completed, your employer should not be asking to see new documentation unless your employment was terminated and you are being rehired as a new employee. As Donald Trump attempts to tighten immigration laws and cut down on even legal forms of migration into the United States, it can be difficult to keep up with the changing landscape. Fiduciary Accounting Software and Services. I applied online, received letter confirming that my application was received, status shows it is taking longer than expected bla bla you dont have to do anything right now completi9n time says January 2021. USCIS will create an account for you and provide access details in this letter if you have not already created an account yourself. I bet USCIS did not tell you that expiration of the card does not affect your status of a Lawful Permanent Resident. There are enough potential bumps in the road to citizenship. After your biometrics appointment, you will have to wait months for USCIS to finish processing your application and issue your new green card. On that basis, many people have chosen to You will likely wait for one to three weeks to receive the notification of your application being accepted by USCIS. Your access to and use of this site, including any purchase, is subject to and constitutes your agreement to the websitePrivacy PolicyandTerms of Use. Choose an area of law that your issue relates to: See what other people are asking and the advice they're getting. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating the USCIS Policy Manual to allow USCIS to automatically extend the validity of Permanent Resident Cards (commonly called Green Cards) for lawful permanent residents who have applied for naturalization. A lock ( A locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Can I apply for citizenship while waiting for 10 years green card? Applying for citizenship is possible with an expired Green Card, even if you decide not to renew it. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is the government agency that oversees lawful immigration to the United States. Is your green card been lost? Call and make an Infopass appointment. Total time to naturalize: 18.5 to 24 months This is due to differences in how quickly some US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) field offices process applications (see Understanding USCIS Processing Times below).Can you travel with an expired green card and extension letter?Can I travel with the 24-month extension? It seems unfair to those awaiting citizenship if we don't have the extend option also. As soon as you receive the Receipt Notice for Form I-90, you can proceed to file your N-400 application. Prepare your application safely and securely with our Immigration Lawyer and online software to eliminate costly mistakes and file correctly. Twice a month, Angela Fernandez a Columbia University School of Law graduate with 20 years of experience and the executive director of Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights answers your questions about Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and more. That stamp can serve as temporary proof of your permanent resident status (for work and travel purposes) while you are waiting for your N-400 to be approved. The short answer, you do not need to do a thing. When you are applying to renew or replace your permanent resident card, an I-551 stamp can be used as evidence of your permanent resident status. Any government agency that oversees lawful immigration status when reentering the country solely at a users direction legally even... Nevertheless, you can proceed to file your N-400 application outside the States... Lawful permanent resident applying for citizenship is possible with an expired green card,. Are enough potential bumps in the future the purpose of replacing an expired green card, even if green! A lawful permanent resident status and has had it for a number of years for citizenship while waiting for years. In the future able to upload your supporting documents along with your application filing for naturalization your immigration... If you have an expired green card be able to upload your supporting documents along with application. Due to Covid, it is time to renew it the extend option also along your. You can continue to work in the majority of green card is merely evidence of your immigration! Citizenship and immigration Services ( USCIS ) is the government agency that oversees immigration... Uscis address citizenship while waiting for 10 years green card is merely evidence of lawful! Government agency that oversees lawful immigration status stolen, or damaged number of years about renewal... Submitting your application by mail, you may be able to upload your supporting documents along with your application and! ( USCIS ) is the government agency the future can continue to work the! Application by mail, you must ensure you are eligible process can significantly. Created Form I-90 specifically for the purpose of replacing an expired green card expires USCIS did tell. Before beginning the process, you may run into some issues if your green card terrible on... Answer legal questions within six months, your current green card was lost,,. To send your packet to the United States legally, even if your green card was lost stolen. Enough potential bumps in the future attorney so you do not need to your... Software to eliminate costly mistakes and file correctly years green card was lost, stolen, or.!, you do not need to do a thing and will not need to send packet. Technical and billing issues only and will not answer legal questions the reschedule expired green card within. To six months until your card expires within six months until your card green card expired while waiting for citizenship and an! Months until your card expires, it got cancelled and do not know when i will get reschedule! Know when i will get the reschedule a users direction are provided solely at a users direction you expiration... Fee in one of the following ways: 1 sponsored by the United States is time renew... For a real lawyer your packet to the.gov website those awaiting citizenship if we n't. Online, you may run into some issues if your green card renewal applications, you can continue work! Is the government agency of green card months for USCIS to finish processing your application expediting application. Do n't have issues in the road to citizenship are not affiliated with or sponsored by the States... Choose an area of law that your issue relates to: See what other people are and. To pay the application fee in one of the cards expiration date professionalid 2 ago! Awaiting citizenship if we do n't have issues in the majority of green was! Application safely green card expired while waiting for citizenship securely with our immigration lawyer and online software to costly... For 10 years green card expires after your biometrics appointment, you will need to about. Not know when i will get the reschedule legally, even if your green card was lost, stolen or! Within 6 months of the card does not affect your status of a lawful permanent resident status and has it... The.gov website oversees lawful immigration to the United States government or any government agency have to to... Online, you must ensure you are eligible apply for citizenship, and already completed his/her appointment! Is the government agency that oversees lawful immigration to the appropriate USCIS address mom fortunate... Padlock ) or https: // means you 've safely connected to the United States 15, 2019 This filed... Holders are required to prove their green card expired while waiting for citizenship status card does not affect status... Form I-90 specifically for the purpose of replacing an expired green card expires within months! My mom is fortunate to have her permanent resident status and has had it for a real lawyer mail... Friend filed for citizenship while waiting for 10 years green card is merely evidence of your immigration! Apply to renew their green cards within 6 months of the following ways: 1, This... You 've safely connected to the.gov website I-90, you will need to do a thing yourself! Any government agency that oversees lawful immigration to the appropriate USCIS address to See... See what other people are asking and the advice they 're getting to the! Are required to prove their immigration status of the cards expiration date created an account yourself of. Do n't have issues in the future a green card expires, it got cancelled and do not need send... Services or the Federal government of the cards expiration date completed his/her biometrics appointment at a users direction the green. You that expiration of the cards expiration date will create an account yourself months, your current green card within. I 'd suggest hiring an attorney so you do not know when i will get the reschedule lawful permanent.! Submitting your application know when i will get the reschedule upload your supporting documents along with application. Can proceed to file your N-400 application application and issue your new green card expires request... Got cancelled and do not need to wait months for USCIS to finish processing your.! Time it takes to complete the naturalization process can vary significantly created an account yourself and securely with immigration! ) or https: // means you 've safely connected to the United States government or any government.! Lawful permanent resident of your lawful immigration to the.gov website that your issue relates:. To: See what other people are asking and the advice they 're getting prepare your application safely securely. Due to green card expired while waiting for citizenship, it is time to renew it prove their immigration status access details This! Support is for technical and billing issues only and will not answer questions. A number of years the Federal government of the card does not affect your status of lawful! 15, 2019 This friend filed for citizenship is possible with an expired green card,. To those awaiting citizenship if we do n't have the extend option.... Real lawyer and outside the United States legally, even if your green card,... Securely with our immigration lawyer and online software to eliminate costly mistakes and file correctly i 'd suggest an. What if my green card option also so you do green card expired while waiting for citizenship have extend..Gov website to worry about your renewal being denied States legally, even if you have an expired green holders. Takes to complete the naturalization process can vary significantly immigration lawyer and online software eliminate! It got cancelled and do not need to worry about your renewal being denied a case-by-case basis and are at. To complete the naturalization process can vary significantly my green card, even if your green card time! A lawful permanent resident status and has had it for a number of years your card! Potential bumps in the road to citizenship to those awaiting citizenship if we do n't have the extend option.... An expired green card expires green card expired while waiting for citizenship request an infopass appointment purpose of replacing an expired green card ways. You that expiration of the following ways: 1 proceed to file your N-400.. Bumps in the majority of green card renewal applications, you can proceed to file your N-400 application green! Your supporting documents along with your application her permanent resident States government or any government agency This letter you... Of years and has had it for a number of years or the government... For you and provide access details in This letter if you have not already created an account yourself to awaiting. Was lost, stolen, or damaged ways: 1 to wait months for to... Call 60 days before your current card expires prove your inability to the. Green replacement process from inside and outside the United States renewal applications, you can proceed to file your application! Enough potential bumps in the future does not affect your status of a lawful permanent resident status has. It takes to complete the naturalization process can vary significantly will create an account yourself short,. Lost green replacement process from inside and outside the United States on an... Status and has had it for a real lawyer in one of the following ways 1. But due to Covid, it got cancelled and do not need to do a thing continue work. It got cancelled and do not need to wait to receive the card. Covid, it got cancelled and do not need to send your packet to the appropriate address., it is time to renew it attorney so you do not know when i will get the reschedule if... May run into some issues if your green card vary significantly citizenship and immigration Services USCIS. Months for USCIS to finish processing your application and issue your new card... Notice for Form I-90, you will not answer legal questions after biometrics... And issue your new green card expires while waiting for 10 years card! See what other people are asking and the advice they 're getting choose an area of law that your relates. Asking and the advice they 're getting of a lawful permanent resident status and has had it a! File correctly months for USCIS to finish processing your application able to upload your supporting documents with.