Green Card Renewal – What You Need to Know Before You Travel Abroad

If you’re a permanent resident of the United States, it’s important to keep your Green Card up to date. Here’s what you need to know about renewing your Green card before you travel abroad.

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What is a Green Card?

A Green Card is an identification card that proves that you are a permanent resident of the United States. It allows you to live and work in the U.S. indefinitely. You can also travel in and out of the country without a visa. If you are a Green Card holder, you should renew your card every 10 years. You can renew your Green Card either by mail or online.

How do I renew my Green Card?

If you are a lawful permanent resident of the United States, you will be issued a Green Card (officially known as a Permanent Resident Card (PRC)) to prove your status. If your Green Card expires, you can renew it using Form I-90.

You will need to renew your Green Card if it expires or is about to expire. You should also renew your Green Card if you were issued a conditional Green Card (valid for only 2 years) and you want to apply for permanent residency.

Generally, you can renew your Green Card if:
-You are still married to or in a civil union or domestic partnership with the U.S. citizen or permanent resident who filed the petition for you, and you have not divorced or ended your relationship since you were granted a conditional permanent residency; OR
-You have been granted permanent residency through an employment-based immigrant petition and your job is still valid; OR
-You were granted asylum or refugee status and you have not been found removable from the United States since being granted that status.

To renew your Green Card, you will need to file Form I-90 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You will also need to pay the filing fee, which is currently $455. You may also need to pay an additional biometrics fee of $85 if this is your first time filing Form I-90 or if USCIS requires that you submit biometrics as part of your renewal process.

To complete Form I-90, you will need:
-Your current Green Card
-A passport-style photo – this must be taken within 30 days of filing Form I-90
-payment for the filing fee ($455) and biometrics fee ($85), if required

What are the requirements for renewing my Green Card?

To renew your Green Card, you must submit a Form I-90 application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You will need to provide evidence that you are still eligible for permanent residence in the United States.

To renew your Green Card, you must:
-Be at least 18 years old
-Have been a permanent resident of the United States for at least 5 years
-Have not been absent from the United States for more than 12 months in total during the 5 years preceding the date of your application
-Not have been convicted of any criminal offenses that would make you ineligible for permanent residence
-Not be subject to any grounds of removal from the United States

If you meet all of the above requirements, you can submit a Green Card renewal application by mail or online.

What if I am not eligible to renew my Green Card?

If you are not eligible to renew your Green Card, you will need to apply for a new one. You can do this by filing a petition with the USCIS. The petition will need to be approved before you can begin the process of applying for a Green Card.

What if my Green Card expires while I am abroad?

If you are a lawful permanent resident of the United States (i.e. you have a Green Card), it is important to be aware that your Green Card will expire after a certain number of years. Once your Green Card expires, you will need to renew it before being able to re-enter the United States.

If you find yourself outside of the United States when your green Card expires, you will need to go through a slightly different process in order to renew it. In general, you will need to submit a renewal application to the USCIS office that has jurisdiction over your place of residence, as well as provide proof that you remain eligible for permanent residency.

Once your application is approved, you will be issued a new Green Card which will be valid for another 10 years. It is important to note that if your Green Card expires while you are abroad, you may not be able to re-enter the United States until your renewal application has been approved. For this reason, it is recommended that you apply for renewal well in advance of your travel date.

What if I lose my Green Card while I am abroad?

If you lose your Green Card while you are abroad, you should report the loss to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate immediately. The Consular Officer will issue you a provisional replacement card, which will be valid for one year from the date of issue. You will need to apply for a new Green Card after you return to the United States.

What if I want to apply for a new Green Card while I am abroad?

If you already have a Green Card and you want to apply for a new one while you are outside the United States, you will need to follow a different process. You will need to contact the National Visa Center (NVC) to begin your application.

How can I find out more about Green Card renewal?

There are a few things to keep in mind when renewing your Green Card. First, you will need to submit a new application. Second, you will need to include all of the required documentation. Lastly, you will need to pay the renewal fee.

You can find more information on Green Card renewal here:

https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-green-card-issued/green-card-renewal

What are the risks of travelling without a Green Card?

If you are a permanent resident of the United States (also known as a “green card holder”), you are allowed to travel outside of the country for up to six months at a time. However, if you plan to be away for longer than six months, you will need to apply for a reentry permit.

If you do not apply for a reentry permit and try to enter the United States after an extended trip abroad, you may be denied entry and placed in removal proceedings. In addition, if your green card has expired, you will also need to apply for a new one before you can return to the United States.

There are certain risks associated with travelling without a green card or reentry permit, so it’s important to be aware of them before you leave the country. Below, we outline some of the potential risks:

-You may be denied entry into the United States if your green card has expired or if you do not have a valid reentry permit.
-If you are placed in removal proceedings, you may be detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and ultimately deported back to your home country.
-If you are deported, you will be permanently barred from returning to the United States.
-You may also lose your status as a permanent resident if you stay outside of the United States for more than two years without applying for a reentry permit.

I’m still not sure if I need to renew my Green Card. Who can I ask for help?

If you are a lawful permanent resident of the United States (Green Card holder), you are allowed to travel outside of the country as long as you do not stay outside of the United States for more than 1 year at a time. If you will be traveling for more than 1 year, you will need to apply for a Reentry Permit. You can find more information about applying for a Reentry Permit on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.

If you are planning to travel outside of the United States and your Green Card will expire while you are away, you will need to renew your Green Card before you return to the United States. You can apply for a Green Card renewal on the USCIS website.