Green card renewal means filing Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to get a new physical card when your 10-year card has expired or will expire within six months. It renews the card, not your permanent resident status. This guide covers the process, fees, documents, timing, and common problems.
What Is Green Card Renewal?
A Green Card, officially called a Permanent Resident Card, is the physical document that shows you are a lawful permanent resident (LPR) of the United States. Most cards are valid for 10 years. Green card renewal is the process of asking USCIS to issue a new card before, or after, the old one expires.
The most important idea is this: the card and your status are separate things. Your permanent resident status generally does not end just because the card’s expiration date passes. The card is your proof of that status. Renewing it gives you updated proof. It does not extend or change your underlying right to live in the United States, and it does not start a new immigration case on the merits.
USCIS also reminds permanent residents that they must carry a valid, unexpired Green Card or equivalent documentation at all times, which is one reason not to let a card lapse without a plan.
Who Needs to Renew a Green Card?
You generally need to renew if you are a lawful permanent resident with a 10-year card that has expired or will expire within six months. USCIS refers to this as replacing your card, and Form I-90 is the form for both renewal and replacement.
You may also need a new card, using the same form, if your card is:
- Lost, stolen, or destroyed
- Damaged or mutilated
- Incorrect because of a USCIS or Department of Homeland Security (DHS) error
- Outdated because your name or other biographic information has legally changed
- Never received after USCIS issued it
Other situations that call for Form I-90 include a permanent resident who is starting or ending commuter status, a resident who has been automatically converted from conditional or temporary status, and a young permanent resident who turned 14 and holds a card issued earlier.
What about conditional residents?
A conditional resident holds a two-year card, not a 10-year card. Conditional permanent residents generally do not use Form I-90 to renew an expiring conditional card. They typically file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence (for marriage-based cases), or Form I-829, Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions (for investor cases). A conditional resident whose card is lost, stolen, or damaged, and is not about to expire, may still use Form I-90 for a replacement. Because the deadlines for removing conditions are strict, conditional residents should review USCIS’s guidance for their category closely.
Green Card Renewal Requirements
There is no separate eligibility test to renew a card. In general, Form I-90 is for lawful permanent residents and certain other categories who need a replacement card. The main requirement is that you are filing for a qualifying reason, such as an expiring or expired card, and that you use the right form.
A different filing may be needed if:
- You are a conditional resident whose card is expiring or has expired (Form I-751 or I-829, as noted above).
- You are seeking to change your status rather than replace a card.
- You have been away from the United States for an extended period, or you are unsure whether your status continues. This can raise separate questions about continued residence and travel documents that Form I-90 does not solve.
- Your card is missing while you are abroad, which may involve a different process through a consulate or port of entry.
If you are outside the United States and your card expires within six months, USCIS says you should file Form I-90 as soon as you return, provided you return within the permitted time frame. Because travel and absence rules are fact-specific, consider getting individualized guidance before relying on any general rule.
Form I-90 vs. conditional resident petitions
| Form I-90 (10-year card) | Form I-751 / I-829 (conditional card) | |
| Who files | Lawful permanent residents with 10-year cards | Conditional permanent residents with 2-year cards |
| Purpose | Replace or renew the physical card | Remove conditions on residence |
| Typical timing | Within six months before the card expires, or after it expires | Within the 90-day window before the conditional card expires (and in some cases later with good cause) |
| Result | New card, same status | New 10-year card if approved |
| Official page | uscis.gov/i-90 | uscis.gov/i-751 · uscis.gov/i-829 |
How to Renew a Green Card: Step-by-Step Process
The short answer: file Form I-90 with USCIS, either online or by mail. USCIS lists two filing options, online and paper, and as of October 7, 2026 its online option also includes filing by uploading PDFs of the form and evidence ✔.
- Confirm that Form I-90 is the right form. Check your card type and reason for filing. Conditional residents should review the petition requirements first.
- Gather your information and documents. You will need your A-Number and details from your current card, plus any evidence tied to your filing reason (see the next section).
- Choose how to file. Online filing requires a USCIS online account. If you file on paper, USCIS creates an online account for you and mails an account acceptance notice with instructions. Paper filing is also the route if you are requesting a fee waiver ✔.
- Complete the application carefully. Use your name exactly as it appears on your current card, unless you are filing to update it with legal name-change evidence.
- Pay the correct fee. Use the official fee schedule (see below).
- Submit, and keep your confirmation. Save the online confirmation or your mailing receipt.
- Watch for your receipt notice. USCIS mails Form I-797C, Notice of Action. Keep it with your card.
- Attend biometrics if scheduled. USCIS may schedule fingerprints and a photo at an Application Support Center. The standard filing fee includes biometric services.
- Respond to any request for evidence. Follow the deadline in the notice.
- Update your address. If you move, update your address through your USCIS online account or Form AR-11 so notices and your new card reach you.
How to avoid common application mistakes
- Read the current Form I-90 instructions and use the current form edition.
- Select the filing reason that truly fits. Choosing the wrong reason can affect the fee and evidence.
- Answer every required field, sign where required, and attach supporting evidence.
- Do not mail a fee waiver request with an online filing.
- Keep copies of everything you submit.
Documents Required for Green Card Renewal
The documents depend on why you are filing. USCIS’s Form I-90 instructions list what to include for each reason. Typical examples include:
- Expiring or expired card: a copy of the card (front and back) or other identity evidence if you no longer have it.
- Name or biographic change: a copy of your card plus legal evidence of the change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
- Incorrect information due to a USCIS error: the original card containing the error and evidence showing the correct information.
- Lost, stolen, or destroyed card: generally, evidence of identity, such as a government-issued photo ID with your name, date of birth, photograph, and signature.
- Card never received: specific evidence about the earlier approval, such as the approval notice, and information showing the card was returned to USCIS as undeliverable.
- Turning 14: documents tied to your age and prior card.
Green Card Renewal Fee
The USCIS filing fee is listed on the official fee schedule, Form G-1055. The right way to confirm it is to open the current USCIS fee schedule and look up Form I-90 on the day you file.
As of November 3, 2026, the schedule lists the general Form I-90 filing fee as $415 when filed online and $465 when filed on paper, with biometric services included ✔. Some filing reasons carry a $0 fee, such as a card that USCIS issued with incorrect information because of a DHS error, or a card that was returned to USCIS as undeliverable (with documentation). USCIS has updated its fee schedule several times in recent months, so a fee quoted elsewhere may already be out of date.
Payment methods. Online filers generally pay electronically through the USCIS system. Paper filers use the payment methods in the instructions, which can include a check or money order, or a card or bank payment form where USCIS permits.
Can you get a green card renewal fee waiver?
Some applicants may qualify. USCIS lists Form I-90 among the forms for which a fee waiver may be available, using Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver. Eligibility is based on USCIS’s criteria, which can include receipt of a means-tested benefit, household income at or below a set percentage of the federal poverty guidelines, or financial hardship. A waiver is not automatic, and USCIS must approve it. USCIS has said applicants requesting a fee waiver may not file the I-90 online, so a waiver request goes with a paper application ✔. Review the Form I-912 page before filing.
Green Card Renewal Processing Time
USCIS posts its current estimates in the USCIS processing-times tool. Choose Form I-90 and the relevant category to see the estimate. That figure is a general benchmark, not a promise about your case.
Processing times for Form I-90 have been unstable. USCIS historical data as reported in recent summaries shows the median rising from roughly one month in fiscal year 2024 to several months in fiscal year 2026, and recent estimate ranges published from USCIS data have been measured in many months rather than weeks. ✔ Editor: insert the live USCIS figure here on the publication date.
Your own timeline can differ because of:
- The filing category and USCIS office handling the case
- Whether biometrics or additional evidence is needed
- Background and security checks
- Errors, missing evidence, or an address problem
- Card production and mailing
Green Card Renewal Timeline: What Happens After Filing?
A typical case moves through these stages:
- Acceptance and receipt notice. USCIS accepts the filing and issues Form I-797C with a receipt number.
- Biometrics, if scheduled. You receive an appointment notice by mail or online.
- Possible request for evidence. USCIS may ask for missing documents.
- Review and decision. USCIS completes its review and issues a decision.
- Card production and delivery. If approved, the new card is mailed to your address on file.
How to check your green card renewal status
Use your receipt number in the USCIS Case Status tool or sign in to your USCIS online account, which shows case updates and notices. If you filed on paper, USCIS creates the account for you. Be cautious with unofficial websites that ask for payment or personal data to “check” your case.
What Happens If Your Green Card Expires Before Renewal?
If your card expires, your permanent resident status does not automatically end. What changes is that your physical proof of status is no longer valid on its own. That can create practical problems with employers, motor vehicle offices, banks, and travel, which is why USCIS recommends filing within six months before the expiration date.
The Form I-90 receipt notice helps close the gap, as explained below. In a few situations, such as long time abroad, a criminal history, or tax and residency questions, the effect on your status can be more complicated. If any of those apply, speak with a qualified immigration attorney before filing or traveling.
What Is a Green Card Extension Letter?
There is no separate “extension letter.” The document people usually mean is the Form I-797C receipt notice that USCIS mails after accepting a qualifying Form I-90 renewal.
Since September 10, 2024, USCIS has printed receipt notices that extend the validity of an expiring or expired Green Card for 36 months from the expiration date on the card, for people who properly file an I-90 renewal. Before that, the extension period was 24 months ✔. USCIS says the notice, together with the expired card, can be presented as evidence of continued status and employment authorization.
Three cautions:
- Not every notice is the same. Only qualifying renewal filings receive this language. Read your notice to confirm what it says.
- Keep the original card and the notice together. Present both for employment verification (Form I-9) and, where appropriate, travel.
- If you no longer have your card, USCIS says you may request a field office appointment through the USCIS Contact Center, where an ADIT stamp may be issued after you file Form I-90.
Can You Renew a Green Card Online?
Yes, in many cases. Most applicants can file Form I-90 online through a USCIS online account, which helps with payment, document upload, and tracking. As of October 7, 2026, USCIS also lets applicants and their representatives file online by uploading PDFs of the form and supporting evidence ✔. Online filing is not available if you are requesting a fee waiver, and some situations are better suited to paper filing. Start at the official USCIS Form I-90 page.
Green Card Renewal vs. Green Card Replacement
USCIS uses one form, Form I-90, for both, but the reasons differ.
| Renewal | Replacement | |
| Meaning | A new card because the current card is expired or expiring | A new card because the current card is unusable or inaccurate |
| Examples | Card expires within six months or has expired | Lost, stolen, damaged, incorrect, or never received; legal name change |
| Form | Form I-90 | Form I-90 |
| Fee | Standard fee | Standard fee, or $0 in certain categories |
Common Green Card Renewal Mistakes to Avoid
- Using the wrong form. Conditional residents with expiring cards generally need I-751 or I-829, not I-90.
- Relying on an old fee. Check the current G-1055 on the filing date. An incorrect fee can lead to rejection.
- Submitting an incomplete application. Missing signatures, fields, or evidence can delay the case.
- Missing notices. If you move and do not update your address, you could miss an appointment or request for evidence.
- Trusting unofficial timelines. Use the USCIS tool, and treat other estimates as context only.
- Waiting too long. Filing earlier, within the six-month window, reduces the time you spend relying on a receipt notice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Green Card Renewal
1. How do I renew my Green Card?
You renew a Green Card by filing Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, with USCIS, either online or by mail. You pay the filing fee, submit your information and any required evidence, attend biometrics if scheduled, and wait for a decision. A conditional resident usually files a different petition.
2. When should I renew my 10-year Green Card?
USCIS says to file when your card has expired or will expire within six months. Filing early within that window is generally wise because processing times have been long. You can also file after the card has expired, though you should not wait if you need to work or travel.
3. Can I renew my Green Card if it has already expired?
Yes. An expired card does not end your status, and you can still file Form I-90 to get a new one. After USCIS accepts a qualifying renewal, the receipt notice can be used with your expired card as evidence of status for the period stated in the notice.
4. How much does Green Card renewal cost?
As of November 3, 2026, the USCIS fee schedule lists $415 for online filing and $465 for paper filing of a general Form I-90, with biometrics included. Some filing reasons are $0. Fees can change, so confirm the amount on the official USCIS fee schedule before you file.
5. How long does Green Card renewal take?
It varies. Recent USCIS-reported estimates have been several months to about a year, and individual cases can take longer. Check the USCIS processing-times tool for the current estimate. Your receipt notice generally protects your proof of status while your case is pending.
6. Can I renew my Green Card online?
Yes, in most cases. You can file Form I-90 through a USCIS online account, and USCIS has also added an option to upload PDFs of the form and evidence. Online filing is not available when requesting a fee waiver, which must go with a paper application.
7. How do I check my Green Card renewal status?
Enter your receipt number in the USCIS Case Status tool or sign in to your USCIS online account. The account shows updates and notices. If you filed on paper, USCIS creates an account for you and mails instructions. Use only official USCIS channels.
8. Can I travel while my Green Card renewal is pending?
Often yes. USCIS says the receipt notice, with your expired card, serves as evidence of status, and travelers generally carry both originals. Individual facts matter, especially long absences. Speak with an immigration attorney before traveling if you have been abroad for long periods or have any immigration or criminal history concerns.
9. What happens if I lose my Green Card?
You generally file Form I-90 to replace it. Evidence of identity is typically required. If you need proof of status while waiting, USCIS says you may request a field office appointment through the Contact Center, where an ADIT stamp may be issued after filing. Report a stolen card to local police if appropriate.
10. Can I get a fee waiver for Green Card renewal?
Possibly. Some applicants qualify using Form I-912 if they meet USCIS criteria, such as receiving a means-tested benefit or having limited household income. USCIS must approve the request, and a waiver request must go with a paper Form I-90. Certain filing reasons already have a $0 fee.
11. Do conditional Green Card holders use Form I-90?
Generally no, not to renew an expiring conditional card. They usually file Form I-751 (marriage-based) or Form I-829 (investor-based) to remove conditions. A conditional resident whose card is lost, stolen, or damaged, and is not about to expire, may be able to use Form I-90.
12. Does an expired Green Card mean I have lost permanent resident status?
No. The card’s expiration date does not by itself end permanent resident status. It means your physical proof has expired. Status can be lost for other reasons, such as abandonment or certain removal grounds, so questions about long absences or other risks deserve individualized legal advice.
Get Immigration Guidance From Orange Law
Many permanent residents can handle a straightforward green card renewal on their own with USCIS’s instructions. Others have questions that are not straightforward: a conditional card, a long trip abroad, a name change, a prior arrest, or a notice they do not understand.
If you have a case-specific question, Orange Law and attorney Karan Joshi can talk with you about your circumstances and the options that may be available. Contact the firm to schedule a consultation. Every case is different, and no outcome can be guaranteed.
Getting your green card renewal filed accurately, and early enough, is the best way to keep your proof of status in order.