When and why to renew your green card
A 10-year green card (permanent resident card) should be renewed before it expires. While your status as a permanent resident does not expire when the card does, an expired card creates practical problems: you cannot use it to prove work authorization on a new job's I-9, re-enter the US from international travel, or get a Real ID-compliant driver's license in most states. File Form I-90 6–12 months before the expiry date to ensure the new card arrives before the old one expires.
Two-year conditional green cards (for couples married less than 2 years at the time of approval) are NOT renewed with I-90 — they are extended by filing Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions) jointly with your US-citizen spouse. See our dedicated I-751 guide.
How to file Form I-90
Filing online at my.uscis.gov is generally faster and cheaper than mailing a paper form. Create or log into a USCIS account, select I-90, answer the eligibility questions, and upload a copy of your current card. Pay the filing fee (approximately $540 in 2026 — confirm the current amount on the official USCIS fee schedule before you pay). After submission you will receive a receipt notice, then an appointment notice for biometrics (fingerprints and photo) at a local Application Support Center.
Most straightforward renewals do not require an interview. USCIS mails the new card to the address on file, typically within a few months of biometrics. You can check case status online with your receipt number.
What to do if your card is about to expire or already expired
If your card expires soon, file I-90 and keep the receipt notice: combined with your expired card, that receipt proves your continued work authorization for up to 24 months while renewal is pending. If you need to travel internationally before the new card arrives, request an Alien Documentation, Identification, and Telecommunication (ADIT) stamp at your local USCIS field office — it is placed in your passport and functions as a temporary travel document.
Related Questions
Does renewing a green card affect my path to citizenship?
No. Renewing your green card simply replaces an expiring physical card. It does not restart the clock on the continuous residence requirement for naturalization.
Can I travel with an expired green card?
Airline boarding and re-entry to the US both require a valid green card. An expired card plus the I-90 receipt notice extends your work authorization domestically but does not replace the card for international travel — get an ADIT stamp before you leave.
How long does green card renewal take?
Current processing times vary by service center; check the USCIS processing times tool with form I-90 selected for the live estimate. For most applicants it takes a few months.
What if I lost my green card?
File Form I-90 to replace a lost, stolen, or destroyed card, selecting the appropriate reason. The process is the same as renewal.
Official Sources
- USCIS – Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card
- USCIS – Check Case Processing Times
- USCIS – ADIT Stamp Information
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Fees and processing times change; always confirm with the official government source before acting.