Have you been wondering about how to renew your green card or how to apply for it? Then search no further as this post will explain all you need to know about green card renewal. Read on.
Overview
Green card, officially known as a Permanent Resident card is a legal proof, identification and right to live and work anywhere in the United States.
It’s a crucial document for employment acceptance,housing loan approval, and even driver’s license renewal. It’s also essential when returning to the US from a trip in another country.
An expired green card will usually result in a delay, might necessitate the payment of a high re-entry charge, and possibly lead to more serious immigration issues.
Even with an expired green card, you still maintain your status as a lawful permanent resident of the United States for life, unless you commit a crime that renders you deportable or overstay your vacation period overseas.
Therefore, an expired green card simply indicates that you need the most recent version of the green card in order to demonstrate your ability to live and work legally in the country and to enter it again after visiting another country.
However, if you are 18 years of age or older, it is legally expected of you to carry identification proving you are a permanent resident. In general, if your green card has expired or will expire within the next six months, you should renew it. This explains that you should begin your green card renewal process six month earlier before it expires.
4 Major Step-By-Step Application Processes For Green Card RenewalÂ
Here are the 4 major processes of renewing a green card when it expired:
STEP 1: Fill and Prepare to submit Form I-90 online or by mailÂ
The first major step in the green card renewal process is to carefully fill the Form I-90. This form can be completed online or on paper.
To complete the form online, you must first create a USCIS online account. Once you have created your account and are logged in, you will be able to access Form I-90. You have to register for a USCIS online account before you can fill out the form online. Form I-90 will be available to you once you have registered and logged in.
The most recent version of Form I-90 must be downloaded from the USCIS website, printed, and filled out by hand if you want to mail in a paper copy.
STEP 2: Obtain and make photocopies of any necessary supporting documentation for your application to renew your green card.
After filling the Form I-90 either online or as a hard copy, then you assemble the required documents. Please note, it is necessary for you to include a copy of your most recent green card with your application if you are replacing or renewing your green card because it expired or is expiring soon. And you will be able to upload the supporting documents on the USCIS portal if you are filing Form I-90 online. When sending Form I-90 to USCIS in hardcopy format, it is also important to include a paper copy of the supporting document.
STEP 3: Pay the green card renewal fee of $540- green card is $455, biometrics is $85.
The next process is to pay the green card renewal fee. Currently, the fee costs $540. This includes an $455 for Green Card and $85 biometrics fee, which some applicants don’t have to pay. The USCIS Fee Calculator could be used to figure out the fees you must pay for your renewal application. To pay for the Green Card renewal fee, you can make an online payment using a credit or debit card and that, if you file your Form I-90 online.
If you file your Form I-90 via mail (paper), you can use Form G-1450: Authorization for Credit Card Transactions to pay the fee with a credit card, money order, cashier’s check, or personal check. In case you choose to pay with a check, please make it payable to the Department of Homeland Security in the United States.
If you can demonstrate that you are having severe financial difficulties, USCIS may be able to eliminate the filing fee for Form I-90 if you are unable to pay it. Note that you cannot file for the renewal online if you want a fee waiver. A paper application must be mailed in. For additional information regarding the fee waiver application process, visit the USCIS website.
STEP 4: Send your application to the appropriate address by mail or online.
The process involves submitting your green card renewal application to USCIS. Forms, supporting papers, and fees should all be included in one packet. A cover letter outlining the information you are sending in the package should be included whether you decide to file electronically or by mail. USCIS will process your forms more quickly if you provide a cover letter.
You can decide to submit your application for a green card renewal through your online USCIS account
Also, your supporting documentation might be available for online upload, or USCIS might ask you to mail each one separately.
If you decided to submit your application for a green card renewal through mail, please mail your packet to the appropriate USCIS address listed below. The postal service you select will determine the address you use:
U.S. Postal Service:
P.O. Box 21262
Phoenix, AZ 85036
FedEx, UPS, or DHL:
USCIS
Attn: I-90 (Box 21262)
2108 E. Elliot Rd.
Tempe, AZ 85284-1806
Conclusion
Now you have all the necessary information you need to renew your green card. Goodluck.