For those who were not born in the United States to reside or work lawfully in the United States without becoming a naturalized citizen, obtaining a green card is critical. A green card serves as proof of a non-U.S.-born individual’s right to live and work freely in the country as a lawful permanent resident. While lawful permanent resident status does not expire, green cards do have a 10-year expiration date. Most lawful permanent residents must renew a 10-year green card by filing Form I-90 within 6 months of the expiration date to ensure they have valid proof of status. As such, ensuring you renew this document on time can help ensure you avoid issues with employment, driver’s licensing, and travel. If you have issues renewing your green card, or your card is currently expired, understanding how to proceed is critical. Our skilled Baltimore County, Maryland green card lawyer is on your side.
When Do I Need to Renew My Green Card in Maryland?
In general, green card holders living in Baltimore County and across the United States must ensure they begin the renewal process for their green card well before the expiration date on the card. Unfortunately, waiting too long to do so can leave you without valid proof of status, even though you are still considered a lawful permanent resident.
Most lawful permanent residents should begin the renewal process for their green card within 6 months of the expiration date. This allows ample time to navigate any issues or delays that may arise. As such, you generally must renew your green card if:
- You have a 10-year green card that is set to expire soon
- You have a 10-year green card that has expired
- You have an older permanent resident card that does not have an expiration date
- Your card has been stolen, lost, or damaged
- Your card contains outdated or incorrect information
How Do I Renew My Green Card?
Renewing a green card generally begins by submitting a formal document to USCIS and adhering to the procedural requirements. While this process is relatively standardized, ensuring that the documents are filed on time and correctly is critical to avoiding rejections and delays in this process.
It is also important to understand that the renewal process only applies to green card holders with a 10-year expiration date. Those who have a conditional green card must use different forms and follow separate procedures.
Filing Form I-90
- Green card renewal is requested through Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card
- You may complete the application online or by mailing the form to USCIS
- Ensuring the information on the form is accurate is critical
In general, when filing Form I-90, you’ll need to ensure that you include all biographic information exactly as it appears in your USCIS records, upload supporting evidence, pay filing fees, and monitor for USCIS notices.
What Does It Cost to Renew a Green Card?
If your green card is about to expire, it’s important to understand that there are mandatory fees associated with the processing of renewals. In general, all applicants are required to pay these fees in full, unless they have qualified for and submitted an approved fee waiver.
Unfortunately, USCIS filing fees often change. You should confirm the most current cost directly with USCIS before submitting the form. The costs associated with this process are determined directly by USCIS and can vary based on the reason for the renewal.
Important Cost-Related Considerations
- Fees typically include the application fee and could include a biometric fee
- Online and mail filing methods have different payment methods
- Checks, money orders, or electronic payments must be made in accordance with instructions
- Rejected payments may result in delayed timelines
- To obtain a fee waiver, proof of financial hardship is required, though approval is not guaranteed
Can I Renew A Green Card While Outside Of The United States?
If you are outside of the United States when your green card is expiring, it can result in considerable complications during the renewal process. As such, your exact circumstances will depend on timing, how long you are traveling, and when you submitted the application for renewal.
In general, if your green card will expire within six months but you return to the country before the card has expired, you may be permitted to file Form I-90 upon your return to the country.
However, if you did not apply before leaving and your green card expires while you are abroad, you can expect to face delays and additional requirements before you are permitted to re-enter the country. This often requires you to contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to obtain a boarding foil that will allow you to board a flight back to the United States.
What Happens If My Green Card Renewal Application Is Denied?
While most green card renewals are approved, denials can and do occur in the event that USCIS finds issues with eligibility or procedure. It’s important to understand that a denial does not mean you lost your lawful status, but it can cause issues if not carefully addressed.
Common Reasons a Green Card Renewal May Be Denied
- USCIS determines the application is not eligible to file Form I-90 based on timing or the type of green card they hold
- There is missing or inconsistent biographical information
- The applicant’s immigration or criminal history triggers security concerns
- USCIS determines that prior compliance issues, like tax or legal obligations, impact eligibility
- Required fees were not properly submitted
Can I Appeal a Green Card Renewal Denial?
While you generally cannot directly appeal a denied Form I-90, you may have legal options based on the reason the denial was issued. As such, under specific circumstances and while adhering to strict deadlines, you may be eligible to file a motion to request further review of the USCIS decision. It’s important to understand that, for a motion to proceed, new facts or legal errors must be shown.
Important Motion Requirements
- A motion to reopen must present new evidence that has not been previously submitted
- A motion to reconsider must show that USCIS misapplied the law
- Supporting documentation is critical
- Deadlines are strictly enforced
Why Work With a Maryland Immigration Attorney For Green Card Renewals?
As you can see, despite the fact that the process of renewing a green card seems relatively straightforward, there are a number of issues that could arise that can make this process much more complex. As such, working with an experienced immigration lawyer can help ensure that the renewal process is handled correctly to reduce the risk of unfavorable outcomes. An attorney may assist with:
- Locating potential red flags before filing
- Ensuring you have met USCIS requirements
- Helping provide guidance surrounding travel during renewal
- Responding to USCIS requests or denials
Contact Our Baltimore County Firm
At Sheri Hoidra Law Office, LLC, we understand how complicated the green card renewal process can be, especially if unexpected circumstances arise. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation with our knowledgeable legal team so that we can work toward giving you peace of mind and a bright future in the United States.