How Do I Renew My Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)? (Color added for effect!!)
What is a Permanent Resident Card?
What Does the Law Say?
Who Should Renew a Permanent Resident Card?
You should renew your permanent resident card if you are a permanent resident who was issued a Form I-551 valid for ten years, and that card is either expired or will expire within the next six months.
Please note: If you are a Conditional Resident and your status is expiring, these instructions do not pertain to you. You are to use INS Form I-751 (Petition to Remove the Conditions on Residence) to apply to remove the conditions on your permanent resident status.
How Do I Apply to Renew My Permanent Resident Card?
If you are a lawful permanent resident whose ten-year I-551 has expired or will expire within the next six months, you may renew your card by filing an INS Form I-90.
Please Note: This procedure should NOT be used by lawful permanent residents who are seeking to replace their permanent resident cards for reasons other than expiration of the cards ten-year validity. For those seeking to replace their permanent resident cards for reasons unrelated to the ten-year expiration date (e.g., because the card has been lost, stolen, mutilated, or because biographical data has changed or is incorrect), please see How Do I Replace My Permanent Resident Card.
Exception: You may, however, request to change your name on your new card (because of marriage, legal name change, or divorce) at the time you file your application for a renewal card. To do so, you must provide a copy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order as evidence of the legal name change.
A Form I-90 can be ordered by calling the INS Forms request line at 1 (800) 870-3676, or by submitting a request on-line here. It is not possible to submit forms to INS on-line at this time.
After receiving Form I-90, read it carefully and note the documentation and photos that must be submitted. Detailed information is provided in the instructions for the Form I-90. Unless otherwise instructed, you should file the application (with supporting documentation and fees) in person at the appropriate INS Application Support Center (ASC) serving the area where you live. Please note that a few ASCs are unable to accept I-90 applications. For specific information on where to submit your application, please see the home page of the local office servicing the area where you live or call the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.
If you are otherwise eligible, at the time you file your Form I-90, you will be provided with temporary evidence of your lawful permanent residence status. If your renewal application is approved, you will be mailed a new Permanent Resident Card with a ten-year expiration date.
What If I am Outside of the United States?
If you are outside the United States, and your permanent resident card will expire within six months, (but you will return within one year of your departure from the United States and before the card expires), you should file for your renewal card as soon as you return to the United States.
If you are outside of the United States at the time of the cards expiration, and you have not applied for the renewal card prior to your departure, you should contact the nearest American Consulate, INS office, or Port of Entry, before attempting to file Form I-90 for a renewal I-551 card.
For more information on INS office locations, click here. For information on filing fees, see INS filing fees, fee waiver request procedures, and the INS fee waiver policy memo.
How Can I Find Out the Status of My Application?
To check the status of your application, please contact the INS Service Center that receipted your application. You should be prepared to provide the INS staff with specific information about your application, such as the ten-digit receipt number printed on your Form I-797, Notice of Receipt, your Alien Registration Number, name, and date of birth. Please click here for complete instructions on checking the status of your application. Please click here for more information on INS offices. It is not possible to check the status of your application on-line at this time.
If My Application is Denied How Can I Appeal?
If your application for a renewal of your permanent resident card is denied, you will receive a letter that will tell you why the application was denied. You will not be allowed to appeal a negative decision. However, you may submit a motion to reopen or a motion to reconsider with the same office that made the unfavorable decision. By filing such a motion, you may ask the INS office to reexamine or reconsider its decision. A motion to reopen must state the new facts that are to be provided in the reopened proceeding and must be accompanied by the appropriate documentary evidence. A motion to reconsider must establish that the decision to deny your application was based on an incorrect application of law or INS policy, and further establish that the decision was incorrect, based on the evidence in the file at the time the decision was made. For more information, please see How Do I Appeal the Denial of Petition or Application?
Can Anyone Help Me?
If advice is needed, you may contact the INS District Office near your home for a list of organizations who can assist you with the preparation and filing of your application. Please click here for more information on INS field offices; then, see the bottom of the About Us section for the field office serving your area for a listing of assistance organizations.
I beg to differ...we would still be a super power....but without all the PC afraid to hurt anyones feelings cause they are different crap! Suits the $#!+ outta me.
regards - red
O well, and your point is ... ?
What kind of thinking is this?
I'm quite sure that none of these people were here 50, 80, or 100 years ago, and we had a fine country then.
ALL ILLEGALS OUT OF THE USA NOW!
I would take it a step further and cancel all visas for citizens of Islamic countries as well. Let'em go home and play tourist in Syria and attend college in Lebanon.
ok I live in San Francisco I tend to see more people from other countries then from here,Well that doesn't say a whole lot about San Francisco now does it...
I know in the case of my wife that pre-visa checks included criminal, financial, medical, political views, and what you might call a "good character" interview. Also various standard innoculations.
Some of this was required by her own government, and some by the U.S. State Dept. (which has authority over immigration visas).
The bigs holes aren't in immigration visas, but in the virtual carte blanche afforded to those wanting student or business visas, not to mention political asylum.
That said, all illegals should be out, and the INS needs to focus on background checks.