- Ayan Singh
- Jul 2
- 15 min read
Updated: Jul 2
When planning your green card renewal, it’s important to know the basics: you’ll file Form I-90, pay a total fee of about $550 (including biometrics fees of $85), and can apply up to 6 months before your card expires. Once filed, your expired green card is automatically extended for 36 months while you wait.
Processing usually takes 12 to 18 months, and the renewed card is valid for 10 years. This guide will walk you through everything you need to successfully complete your green card renewal.
1️⃣ Green Card Renewal Eligibility: Who Should File Form I-90?
Before starting your green card renewal, it’s essential to confirm you’re eligible. Many applicants file Form I-90 without realizing they may not need to—or worse, that they’re using the wrong form altogether.
If you’re a lawful permanent resident (that’s the fancy USCIS term for someone with a 10-year Green Card), and your card is about to expire within the next six months or it’s already expired, you’re in the right spot. You can go ahead and renew it.
Now, don’t confuse this with a 2-year conditional Green Card—those are different. If you got your Green Card through marriage and it’s only valid for two years, you’re not renewing, you’re removing conditions using Form I-751 (or I-829 for investors). Completely different process.
Here’s a quick checklist to know if you should file Form I-90:
Your Green Card is about to expire in 6 months or less
Your Green Card has already expired
Your Green Card was lost, stolen, or damaged
Your name or biographic information has changed
You never got the card you were supposed to receive
The card has a mistake (maybe USCIS printed the wrong info)
There’s also a slightly trickier group—people who automatically became permanent residents (for example, as children when their parents were naturalized) but never got a physical card. If that’s you, you’ll likely use Form I-90 as well, but the reason you’re filing will be different.
One small tip: If you’re about to travel internationally and your card is expiring soon, it’s smart to renew before you go. Airlines and border officers don’t like expired cards, and while the receipt notice (which proves you’ve applied) can help, it’s not guaranteed to save you from trouble abroad.
Before you do anything else, pull out your wallet, look at that little green card, and check the expiration date. If it’s within 6 months or already past, congrats—you’re eligible to move to Step 2.
2️⃣ How to File Form I-90 for Green Card Renewal (Step-by-Step Guide)
Once you’ve confirmed eligibility for your green card renewal, the next step is filing Form I-90, the official application to renew or replace your permanent resident card.
Now before your eyes glaze over with the mention of "USCIS forms," let me tell you—yes, it’s paperwork, but it’s straightforward if you know what to expect.
Filing Options for Green Card Renewal: Online vs. Mail
You’ve got two main options for filing:
Online via USCIS Account – Honestly, this is what I recommend.
By Mail (Paper form) – Old-school, but still works if you prefer pen and paper.
How to File Green Card Renewal Online Through USCIS
Go to my.uscis.gov, create a free account (or log in if you already have one), and you’ll find an option to “File Form I-90.” The cool part? Once you file online, you can track your case, get notifications, upload documents, and message USCIS directly if needed.
It feels a little like online banking—but for your immigration status.
How to File Green Card Renewal by Mail (Form I-90 Paper Filing)
You’ll download and print the form from uscis.gov/i-90, fill it out neatly (blue or black ink only), and mail it to the appropriate USCIS lockbox. Just be careful with this route—if you mess up even a small section or forget to include the fee, it could come back rejected. That’s time you don’t want to lose.
Key Information Required for Your Green Card Renewal Form
Form I-90 wants to know a few key things (instructions to file I-90):
Your Alien Registration Number (that A-number printed on your green card)
Your full legal name (as it appears on your card—or your new name if it changed)
Biographic details: DOB, place of birth, etc.
Your mailing address
Your reason for applying (pick carefully here—whether your card is expiring, lost, damaged, etc.)
If it's about to expire or expire then — "My existing card has already expired or will expire
within six months".
If your name has changed (due to marriage, divorce, or other reasons), you’ll need to attach legal proof—like a marriage certificate or court order. Same goes if your card was lost or stolen—you may be asked to explain what happened.
Keep it honest. If you left your Green Card in the washing machine (true story), just say so. USCIS isn’t judging—they just want a clear reason.
3️⃣ Green Card Renewal Fees in 2025: Full Breakdown & Payment Guide
As of now (double-check USCIS.gov for updates), the total fee is $465 for paper filing and $415 for online filing, and a biometrics fee of $85. No, you can’t skip the biometrics fee, even if you think they already have your fingerprints from years ago. Everyone pays it—unless USCIS specifically waives it for you.
You can pay online with a credit/debit card or bank withdrawal. If you're mailing the paper form, you'll include a check or money order.
Heads up: If you’re on certain public benefits or very low income, you may qualify for a fee waiver, but that’s a separate form (I-912) and process. So plan ahead.
Best Ways to Pay Your Green Card Renewal Fees (Online & Offline)
If you’re filing online, paying is the easy part. At the end of the application, the system will guide you to a secure checkout page. You can pay using:
Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AMEX)
Debit card
Bank withdrawal (ACH transfer)
That’s it. Once paid, you get a confirmation, a receipt, and boom—you’re in the system. Save that payment confirmation like it’s your passport.
Now, if you’re filing by mail, the process is less “tap-and-go” and more “don’t mess this up.”
You have to pay with:
A check or money order, made out to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security” (write it out exactly—no abbreviations like “DHS” or “USDHS”)
If you want to pay by card through the mail, you need to fill out Form G-1450 (Authorization for Credit Card Transactions) and include it with your package
Mail-in payments are where many people mess up: wrong payee name, incorrect amount, illegible check, missing signature—you name it. USCIS doesn’t call to fix it. They just reject the entire package and return it to you like it never happened. That could set you back weeks.
Green Card Renewal Fee Waiver: Who Qualifies and How to Apply
Not everyone can afford to drop $550 easily. If you're really struggling financially, there’s a path—but it comes with strings. You’d need to file Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver), and you’ll need to include solid documentation:
Proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns)
Government benefit letters (like SNAP, Medicaid)
Proof of financial hardship (unemployment, major medical bills, etc.)
Let me be real here: fee waivers are granted, but not generously. You have to document everything and explain your situation clearly. If it’s approved, you won’t pay a cent. But if it’s denied and you didn’t include a backup payment, your whole application can be rejected.
Common Green Card Renewal Payment Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Here’s a funny-not-funny story: someone I know submitted the paper Form I-90 with a check... then panicked, thinking they forgot to include it, and sent another one. USCIS cashed both. It took months of back-and-forth to get the extra one refunded.
Moral of the story: Pay once. Confirm. Then breathe.
Another one? People fill out the form, seal it in an envelope, and forget the check entirely. USCIS receives the form, opens it, sees no money, and guess what? They don’t call. They just mail it back with a rejection notice.
That’s weeks lost for a silly oversight.
To be safe, make copies or screenshots of your form, your payment, and the receipt notice. Put them in a safe folder—physical or digital—because if USCIS ever asks for something again, you’ll want to pull it up fast. Even you can refer them in future if needed.
After You Pay for Green Card Renewal: What Comes Next?
Once you hit “submit” (or your paper form reaches USCIS), you’ll get a Receipt Notice (Form I-797C). This is super important—it confirms your application is in the system, and it extends your Green Card’s validity for 36 months depending on when you filed.
If your actual card expires while your renewal is pending, this receipt notice plus your expired card = proof of valid status. You can travel, work, and prove residency with it.
4️⃣ USCIS Receipt Notice (Form I-797C) After Green Card Renewal Filing
So, you’ve submitted your Form I-90, paid the $550 (or got it waived), and you’re feeling pretty good, right? You should! But now comes the part where you wait for something from USCIS to land in your mailbox—or, if you filed online, in your account inbox.
That “something” is called the Form I-797C, Notice of Action—but most people just call it the receipt notice.
And here’s the key thing: this paper is not just some boring acknowledgment. It’s your temporary lifeline to everything—proof of legal status, employment authorization, even international travel (with caution). So don’t underestimate it.
What Is Form I-797C and Why It Matters for Green Card Renewal
It’s a one-page, white letter with black type, usually folded in thirds, and it shows up in a USCIS envelope. At the top, it’ll say something like “NOTICE OF ACTION,” and the most important things on it are:
Your receipt number (starts with three letters like LIN, MSC, SRC)
The date USCIS received your application
What type of application you filed (Form I-90)
Your name and address as they have it on file
If you filed online, you’ll get this same notice as a downloadable PDF. USCIS still mails it too, even for online filers—so double win.
Does the I-797C Receipt Notice Extend Your Green Card? Yes—Here's How
Here’s the part most people miss: if your Green Card is expiring (or already expired), the receipt notice automatically extends its validity.
As of recent USCIS policy, the extension is usually 36 months from the date your card expires. Not from the date you applied—important detail.
So let’s say your Green Card expires on August 1, 2025. You apply in July. Even if the new card doesn’t arrive for a while, your receipt notice will say that your card is valid through August 1, 2027.
You now have legal proof of continued status, and this combo—expired Green Card + receipt notice—can be shown:
To employers (when updating your I-9)
At the DMV (some states are better than others with this)
At airports (domestic is usually fine; international, proceed with caution)
When re-entering the U.S. from abroad (if you really have to travel—more on that later)
What to Do If You Don’t Get Your Green Card Renewal Receipt Notice
This one’s important. If 3 weeks go by and there’s no receipt notice—no email, no mail, no nothing—something’s off. Here’s what to do:
Check your online USCIS account, if you filed there
Double-check your mailing address (it’s shocking how many notices go to old addresses)
If you still don’t see anything, call USCIS or submit an online inquiry at uscis.gov
Don’t assume it’s just taking forever. Sometimes your application gets rejected and mailed back, but people miss the rejection notice or think it’s junk mail. Keep your eyes peeled.
Safeguard Your Green Card Renewal Receipt Notice (Here’s Why)
Make two physical copies and one digital scan of your receipt notice. Store them in different places.
If your receipt notice gets lost and your Green Card is expired, you’re going to be stuck explaining yourself a lot—to TSA, to employers, to USCIS. Having a backup PDF on your phone or email can save you in a pinch.
Pro tip: Slide the original into a clear sheet protector and keep it with your passport or important docs folder.
Will You Need a Biometrics Appointment for Green Card Renewal?
After the receipt notice, the next step might be a biometrics appointment—but it’s not guaranteed. USCIS sometimes reuses your old biometrics from a previous Green Card, which can speed up the process. If you do need to go in, you'll get a separate letter in the mail.
5️⃣ Green Card Renewal Biometrics Appointment: What Happens and How to Prepare
So you’re sipping coffee one morning and boom—a new letter from USCIS shows up in your mailbox. It’s not your new green card (sorry), but it’s something called a Biometrics Appointment Notice, officially titled ASC Appointment Notice.
And here’s the catch: this step doesn’t happen for everyone.
Sometimes, USCIS decides to reuse your old biometrics from a past application. It saves them time, and you get to skip this step completely. But if they do call you in? You’ll need to show up, and show up right.
Let’s talk about what it really is, how to prep, and what happens inside that cold government office (it’s always freezing, trust me).
What Is a USCIS Biometrics Appointment for Green Card Renewal?
Biometrics = fingerprints, a photo, and your digital signature. That’s it.
They’re not grilling you, testing your English, or asking you why you renewed late. It’s not an interview. No lawyer needed, no documents to explain. It’s administrative.
Why do they do it? To:
Check your identity (again)
Run your fingerprints through FBI and DHS systems
Make sure you're not secretly James Bond with 3 aliases
How to Know If You’re Scheduled for Biometrics (Form I-90)
If USCIS needs fresh biometrics, they’ll send you Form I-797C, but this time it’s labeled:
ASC Appointment Notice
(Application Support Center = ASC)
Look for these key details:
Date and time
Location (usually the nearest USCIS ASC)
Your case info (A-number, receipt number)
Instructions—what to bring, what not to do
This notice is your ticket in. No notice, no entry. No exceptions.
What to Bring to Your Green Card Renewal Biometrics Appointment
Travel light, but be smart. You’ll need:
Your ASC Appointment Notice (don’t lose it)
A valid photo ID (passport, green card, driver’s license—something official)
A face mask (depending on your ASC’s current rules)
Leave the backpack, electronics, food, and guests at home or in the car. You won’t be there long, and you don’t want to deal with security slowing you down.
What Happens at the Biometrics Appointment for Green Card Renewal
Let’s demystify it. Here's the play-by-play:
Check in – You walk in, show your ID and appointment notice to a front desk person or security.
Wait a bit – You’ll sit in a weirdly quiet waiting room with outdated posters. It’s like a doctor’s office with less conversation.
Your turn – A technician calls your name and walks you to a workstation. They’ll:
Scan all 10 fingerprints (you’ll press your fingers flat, one by one)
Take your photo
Ask you to sign your name digitally (your signature must match your ID)
You’re done – Seriously, it takes about 10–15 minutes max.
No trick questions. No “what’s the capital of Idaho?” Just fingerprints, photo, signature. That’s it.
Can’t Attend Your Green Card Renewal Biometrics Appointment? Here’s What to Do
Don’t just ghost the appointment. That can wreck your whole case.
If you have a legit reason (travel, illness, emergency), you can reschedule—but do it fast. Instructions are on the notice. You can:
Call the USCIS Contact Center
Write a letter to the address on the notice
Or, in some cases, use your online account
But heads up: they’re picky. Just saying “I was busy” won’t fly. Miss your appointment without a reschedule? USCIS may deny your application altogether.
Will USCIS Ask for Biometrics Again After Green Card Renewal?
Sometimes. Rare, but possible. If the prints didn’t scan well (dry hands, scars, etc.), they’ll mail you again. But most people only need to go once.
If they reused your old biometrics? Lucky you. You’ll get a notice saying USCIS is using your previous info and you can skip this step altogether.
Waiting for Green Card Renewal After Biometrics: What to Expect
Once you’re fingerprinted, the background check process kicks in behind the scenes. It’s quiet on the outside, but your case is now moving through the system.
You’ll soon be one step away from that new Green Card.
6️⃣ Green Card Renewal Processing Time in 2025: What Happens While You Wait
Let’s be real: this part sucks the most. You’re done doing things, but nothing’s really happening. At least, not in a way you can see. It’s like your case went into a government black hole and every now and then, you refresh your USCIS account hoping for a miracle update.
How Long Does Green Card Renewal Take in 2025?
USCIS says 1 to 1.5 years is normal right now. Yep, up to 18 months for a card you’ve technically already earned.
But before you panic—your receipt notice extends your expired card by 36 months. So, legally, you’re still a permanent resident. You just don’t have the shiny new card yet.
Want to know the current wait times for your service center? Go to: https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/
Choose Form I-90 and select your field office. It’ll give you a range, like “10 to 14 months,” which is just a polite way of saying “we’re not totally sure.”
What USCIS Does During Green Card Renewal Processing
Think of it like airport security for your identity. Once you’ve submitted your application and (maybe) completed biometrics, USCIS:
Runs your fingerprints through the FBI and DHS databases
Double-checks you’re not flagged in any immigration, criminal, or national security watchlists
Verifies you haven’t done something that could make you deportable (arrests, fraud, etc.)
Confirms you’re eligible for renewal (e.g. you’re still a lawful permanent resident)
This is all automatic, but it takes time. And every applicant is different—some cases are squeaky clean, others trigger red flags that need a human to review.
How to Track Your Green Card Renewal Status Online
Here’s what most people don’t realize: there are three ways to check progress.
Your USCIS Online Account – If you filed online, log in regularly. You might see updates there faster than by mail.
Case Status Tool – Go to https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/ and enter your receipt number. It’ll say something vague like “Your case is being actively reviewed” (which means almost nothing, to be honest).
USCIS Case History (FOIA trick) – Advanced move. If you’re really curious, you can file a FOIA request (Freedom of Information Act) and see what’s in your USCIS file. Totally legal and kind of fascinating.
Can You Travel or Work While Green Card Renewal Is Pending?
If your Green Card is expired but you have the receipt notice, you’re still valid. You can:
Work legally – Show your expired card + I-797C notice to your employer for I-9 verification.
Travel internationally – Technically allowed, but risky. CBP officers should accept the combo, but if you can, avoid international travel until you get the new card. Some airlines don’t even let you board.
Need proof to travel or renew a driver's license? You can also call USCIS and request an I-551 stamp in your passport, which is like a temporary Green Card given in person at a field office.
How to Expedite Your Green Card Renewal (If You Qualify)
Sort of. If it’s been way longer than posted times, and you have a good reason (job loss, urgent travel, medical issue), you can request:
Case inquiry (if you’re outside normal processing time)
Expedite request (rarely approved, must be urgent and well-documented)
Congressional help – You can contact your local senator or representative and ask them to inquire with USCIS on your behalf. It’s more common than you’d think.
But be careful—if your case is still within normal timeframes, expedite requests usually go nowhere.
7️⃣ When and How You’ll Get Your New Green Card After Renewal
There it is. A plain white envelope from Department of Homeland Security, postmarked from a mysterious “Card Production Facility.” No confetti, no golden ticket—but if you know, you know. This is the moment.
You rip it open, and boom: it’s your shiny, freshly printed, wallet-sized proof that you’re still officially, legally, undeniably a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident.
It feels small, but it’s everything.
Let’s walk through what to expect when your green card arrives—and what to do (and not do) next.
What to Expect When Your New Green Card Arrives
The envelope contains:
Your new Green Card (Form I-551)
Possibly a Welcome letter—a short form thank-you-for-your-patience kind of note
That’s it. But the card itself is packed with important info:
Your full name
Your USCIS A-number
Category (like “IR6,” “CR1,” “E21,” etc.)
The expiration date (10 years from issue, for most renewals)
Your photo and a ghost image
A chip and barcodes (yes, it's kind of like a fancy ID card)
What to Check Immediately After Receiving Your Renewed Green Card
This is important—don’t just toss it on your nightstand and forget it.
Inspect it immediately
Make sure your name is spelled right
Check your date of birth, A-number, and expiration date
If anything is wrong, don’t wait. File a correction request via Form I-90 again (free if the error was USCIS’s fault)
Sign the back of the card
There’s a white box where your signature goes. It’s legally required. Unsigned = invalid.
Store it somewhere safe
Think fireproof box, not your jeans pocket. This is one of the most important IDs you’ll ever own.
When Is Your Renewed Green Card Valid to Use? Immediately.
Your new card is active the second you receive it. You can:
Travel abroad without the weird combo of expired card + receipt
Renew your driver’s license easily at the DMV
Show employers as proof of eligibility to work
Apply for credit cards, mortgages, jobs that need ID verification
It’s also your golden key for anything immigration-related—filing for naturalization, sponsoring a family member, adjusting status if needed. The Green Card is your legal tether to the U.S., and it resets the clock for the next 10 years.
What to Do If You Don’t Receive Your New Green Card
USCIS marks the card as “mailed” on your case tracker. Once that happens:
If it’s been more than 30 days and it hasn’t shown up, file a Non-Delivery of Card request: https://egov.uscis.gov/e-request/
If USPS returned it to USCIS (maybe wrong address or couldn’t deliver), you’ll see a status update saying “Card Returned to USCIS.” You’ll need to update your address and request re-delivery.
Pro tip: Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery. It emails you a preview of your incoming mail—so you’ll know when it’s on the way and can avoid any mail mix-up.
After Receiving Your Green Card Renewal: Next Steps
Now you breathe. Your Green Card is valid for another 10 years. Set a reminder for 9 years from now to start the process all over again (or… maybe go for citizenship if eligible).
If you’ve been a permanent resident for 5 years (or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen), this is also the time to seriously consider applying for naturalization. It’s a whole different process—but a powerful one.
Green Card Renewal FAQs: Everything You Need to Know in 2025
How long does green card renewal take?
Green card renewal processing typically takes 12 to 18 months, but times can vary based on USCIS workload and your specific case.
Can I travel while my green card renewal is pending?
Yes, if you have a valid receipt notice (Form I-797C) showing your renewal application is in process, you can usually travel, but carry supporting documents to avoid issues.
What happens if I don’t receive my renewed green card?
If your card doesn’t arrive within 30 days after USCIS marks it “mailed,” you should file a Non-Delivery of Card request online.
Can I work while my green card renewal is pending?
Yes, your receipt notice serves as temporary proof of your lawful status and work authorization.
How early can I apply for green card renewal?
You can file your green card renewal application up to 6 months before your current card expires.
_edited_edited.png)
Comments