Your permanent resident card is set to expire in six months, and you’re concerned about how this might affect your upcoming travel plans and employment status.
Green card renewal is more than routine paperwork. It maintains your legal status, work authorization, and ability to travel internationally.
In this guide, we’ll show you everything: who should renew, key requirements, the step-by-step process, fees and timeline updates for 2025, and common mistakes to avoid.
Who Should Renew and Why It Matters
Holders of 10-year green cards must renew before expiration. Your permanent residency status doesn’t disappear when the card expires but proving that status becomes nearly impossible without a valid card.
Conditional residents with 2-year cards follow a different path. They file Form I-751 to remove conditions, not Form I-90 for renewal.
Understanding eligibility for green card renewal prevents filing the wrong forms and wasting money.
Traveling with an expired card becomes risky. Airlines may refuse to allow you board. Customs officers question you extensively at the border.
Your employment suffers too. Employers must verify work authorization using Form I-9. An expired green card raises red flags during E-Verify checks or audits.
The biggest 2025 change helps renewals: USCIS extended automatic validity from 24 months to 36 months. When you file Form I-90, your receipt notice extends your expired card’s validity for 36 months. This protects you during long processing delays.
Requirements for Green Card Renewal
You must hold lawful permanent resident status currently. If you lost status through abandonment or removal proceedings, you can’t renew.
Your card must be expiring soon or have already expired. USCIS allows filing up to six months before expiration. Don’t file too early, or USCIS will reject your application.
You cannot be subject to removal proceedings. Active deportation cases block renewals. Resolve those first.
Requirements for green card renewal depend on your situation. Standard 10-year card holders need minimal documentation. People with name changes, lost cards, or errors on current cards need additional evidence.
Conditional permanent residents face special rules. If you hold a 2-year card obtained through marriage, you file Form I-751 before renewal. Investment-based conditional residents file Form I-829. Don’t confuse these with Form I-90.
In 2025, there are stricter reviews. USCIS increased vetting of continuous residence evidence and criminal background checks. Processing officers scrutinize absences from the U.S. more carefully. Extended trips abroad raise questions about the intent to maintain residence.
Process for Green Card Renewal
Step 1: Determine You Need Form I-90
Verify that you’re renewing a 10-year card, not removing conditions from a 2-year card. Check the USCIS website for the current version of the form. Using outdated forms causes rejections.
Step 2: Gather Documents
Collect a copy of your current green card (front and back). Get a passport-style photo if you are filing by mail. Gather proof of legal name changes if applicable. Collect evidence showing continuous residence if you traveled extensively.
Step 3: Choose Filing Method
File online through your USCIS account for faster processing and easier tracking. Or mail the Form I-90 to the Tempe, Arizona lockbox. Online is better. It’s also cheaper.
Step 4: Pay Fees
Online filing costs $415 as of October 2025. Mail filing costs $465. Pay electronically with a credit card using Form G-1450. USCIS stopped accepting checks and money orders effective October 28, 2025.
Step 5: Attend Biometrics Appointment
USCIS schedules your appointment within 6-10 weeks. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. They take fingerprints, photos, and your signature.
Step 6: Track Your Case
You can use your receipt number to check the status online. USCIS sends updates through your online account or by mail. Your receipt notice automatically extends the validity of your card for 36 months from the original expiration date.
Step 7: Receive New Card
USCIS mails approved cards to your U.S. address, not to foreign addresses. Update your records, with the Social Security Administration, and the state DMV with employers.
Timeline in 2025
Processing times jumped alarmingly. From January to March 2025, the average processing time for Form I-90 was 8.3 months. This represents a more than 10 times increase from late 2024, when processing took only 0.8 months.
USCIS states that 80% of renewal cases are completed within 12.5 months. 80% of replacement cases are completed within 21.5 months. But these are maximums, not guarantees.
The process for green card renewal slowed because USCIS received over 285,000 Form I-90 applications from January through March 2025. That’s 50% more than the previous quarter. More than 356,000 applications were pending by the end of Q2 2025.
Receipt notices arrive within 2-4 weeks after filing. These receipts automatically extend your card’s validity. Present your expired card with the receipt of notice as proof of status and work authorization.
Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
Filing too early causes rejections. Don’t file more than six months before expiration. USCIS returns applications filed too soon.
Using incorrect forms wastes money. Conditional residents filing Form I-90 instead of I-751 lose filing fees and months of time.
Missing evidence triggers Request for Evidence notices. This delays processing by additional months. Ensure that you include all the information USCIS requests initially.
Traveling abroad with an expired card before receiving your renewal causes serious problems. You need a valid card or ADIT stamp to reenter the U.S. Without either, you may be stuck abroad.
Failing to update your address with USCIS means you miss important notices. File Form AR-11 online immediately when you move.
What Happens If Your Card Expires While Renewal Is Pending
Your permanent resident status continues even after your card expires if you filed for renewal on time. The status and the card are separate.
But you must prove that status. Your receipt notice, combined with your expired card, is evidence. Present both together for employment verification and travel.
Don’t leave the U.S. for extended trips without advance planning. If you must travel, request an ADIT stamp at a USCIS field office before departing. This stamp proves your status while abroad.
Some employers incorrectly refuse expired cards even with valid receipt notices. Educate HR departments using USCIS guidance. The 36-month extension is legitimate and legally recognized.
Take Action on Your Green Card Renewal Now
Green card renewal requires early planning, especially in 2025, with processing delays for several months.
File at least six months before expiration. Use the online system, if possible. Double-check every answer. Include all required documents.
Track your case regularly. Respond immediately to any USCIS requests. Update your address if you move.
If you need personalized help or have further questions, visit ImmigrationQuestion.com. You can ask your question free and get answers from experienced immigration attorneys.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I travel outside the U.S. while my green card renewal is pending?
Yes, but bring your expired card and receipt notice together. These documents prove your status. Some airlines and border officers may question you. Consider requesting an ADIT stamp before traveling for extra security.
What happens if I file the wrong form for renewal?
USCIS rejects your application and returns your filing fee. If you’re a conditional resident who filed Form I-90 instead of Form I-751, you must refile using the correct form.
How early can I file for my green card renewal?
Up to six months (180 days) before your card expires. Filing earlier results in rejection. Filing later increases the risk of your card expiring before approval. The 120-150 day window works best.
Will I have to go through biometrics again for renewal?
Yes. USCIS requires new biometrics for nearly all renewal applications. You’ll be scheduled for fingerprints, photos, and signatures at an Application Support Center. Biometric appointments happen within 6-10 weeks of filing.
