Green Card (form I-551)?!

[Hope2]

just wondering, does'nt UCSIS formerly INS usually sends a notification letter regarding about your/a green card when time expires?

[sandra]

Permanent residents are issued a valid Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) as proof of their legal status in the United States. Some people call this a “Green Card.” If you are a permanent resident who is 18 years or older, you must carry proof of your immigration status. You must show it to an immigration officer if asked for it. Your card is valid for 10 years and must be renewed before it expires. You should file Form I-90 to replace or renew your Permanent Resident Card. You can get this form at USCIS Home Page or by calling the USCIS Forms Line. There is a fee to file Form I-90.


FAQ: How Do I Renew My Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)?

What is a Permanent Resident Card?

A Permanent Resident Card, commonly known as a Green Card, is evidence of your status as a lawful permanent resident with a right to live and work permanently in the United States. It also is evidence of your registration in accordance with United States immigration laws. The Permanent Resident Card is also called Form I-551.

What Does the Law Say?

Section 264 of the Immigration and Nationality Act provides that, "Every alien in the United States shall be issued a certificate of alien registration or an alien registration receipt card in such form and manner and at such time as shall be prescribed under regulations." It also states, "Every alien, eighteen years of age and over, shall at all times carry with him and have in his personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card issued to him. Any alien who fails to comply with [these] provisions shall be guilty of a misdemeanor." The specific requirements and procedures for applying to renew an expiring permanent resident card are set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] at 8 CFR § 264.5.

Who Should Renew a Permanent Resident Card?

You should renew your permanent resident card if you are a permanent resident who was issued a Form I-551 valid for ten years, and that card is either expired or will expire within the next six months.

Please note: If you are a Conditional Resident and your status is expiring, these instructions do not pertain to you. You are to use Form I-751 (Petition to Remove the Conditions on Residence) to apply to remove the conditions on your permanent resident status.

How Do I Apply to Renew My Permanent Resident Card?

If you are a lawful permanent resident whose ten-year I-551 has expired or will expire within the next six months, you may renew your card by filing an Form I-90.

A Form I-90 can be downloaded from this site, or ordered by calling the Forms request line at 1 (800) 870-3676, or by submitting a request on-line. After receiving Form I-90, read it carefully. Detailed information is provided in the instructions for the Form I-90.

Applicants may also file Form I-90 on-line using an Internet connection. Please see Introduction to E-Filing for more information.

What If I am Outside of the United States?

If you are outside the United States, and your permanent resident card will expire within six months, (but you will return within one year of your departure from the United States and before the card expires), you should file for your renewal card as soon as you return to the United States.

If you are outside of the United States at the time of the card’s expiration, and you have not applied for the renewal card prior to your departure, you should contact the nearest American Consulate, USCIS office, or Port of Entry, before attempting to file Form I-90 for a renewal I-551 card.

For more information on USCIS office locations, see the Field Offices page. For information on filing fees, see filing fees, fee waiver request procedures, and the fee waiver policy memo.

How Can I Find Out the Status of My Application?

If you have immigration-related questions, you may call the USCIS National Customer Service Center (NCSC) at 1-800-375-5283. You should be prepared to provide the USCIS staff with specific information about your application, such as your receipt number, Alien Registration Number, name, and date of birth. Please click here for complete instructions on checking the status of your application. Or, you may check the status of your application online at Case Status Online. Please remember that an E-Filed receipt number may not be available through Case Status Online for 72 hours.

If My Application is Denied How Can I Appeal?

If your application for a renewal of your permanent resident card is denied, you will receive a letter that will tell you why the application was denied. You will not be allowed to appeal a negative decision. However, you may submit a motion to reopen or a motion to reconsider with the same office that made the unfavorable decision. By filing such a motion, you may ask the USCIS office to reexamine or reconsider its decision. A motion to reopen must state the new facts that are to be provided in the reopened proceeding and must be accompanied by the appropriate documentary evidence. A motion to reconsider must establish that the decision to deny your application was based on an incorrect application of law or Immigration policy, and further establish that the decision was incorrect, based on the evidence in the file at the time the decision was made. For more information, please see How Do I Appeal the Denial of Petition or Application?

Can Anyone Help Me?

If advice is needed, you may contact the District Office near your home for a list of organizations who can assist you with the preparation and filing of your application. Please click here for more information on USCIS field offices; then, see the bottom of the About Us section for the field office serving your area for a listing of assistance organizations.

Source: USCIS Home Page



Green Card Renewal Process

• Overview
• Application and forms details
• Application Submission
• Checking Case status
• If application refused
• Related Links

The permanent resident card or green card is Form I-551; it is the evidence of a legal right to live and work in the United States. The validity of a green card is 10yrs. The expiration date is printed on the front side of card. A green card must be renewed within six months before the expiration date to maintain permanent residency in USA.

The Green card can be renewed by filing Form I-90 with USCIS.

If your are traveling during the last 6 months of the validated time, you must return back to the US before one year from the departure date and before the card expires.

If you do not return to the US before the card expires, you must contact the nearest American Consulate, USCIS office, or Port of Entry, before attempting to file Form I-90 for a green card.


Application for Green Card renewal

Form I-90 is used for filing green card renewal application. A form I-90 can be downloaded from the official USCIS website or by calling a toll-free no. 1 (800) 870-3676. Renewal can also be done online; please check Introduction to E-Filing for more filing information.

Application submission

Beginning on May 31st, aliens filing a Form I-90, regardless of their state of residence, must mail those applications with an application fee of $185 and a biometrics fee of $70 to one of the following addresses:

For U.S. Postal Service (USPS) deliveries:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
P.O. Box 54870
Los Angeles , CA 90054-0870

Non-USPS deliveries (e.g. courier service):
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Attention: I- 90
16420 Valley View Avenue
La Mirada , CA 90638

Do NOT include any initial evidence and supporting documentation when submitting the Form I-90 to the Los Angeles Lockbox.

All applicants will receive an appointment notice for a biometric processing at an ASC (application service center) near you in the mail and will also specify the documents to be submitted at the time of appointment.

Checking your application status

Once you file the application via mail or e-file, you will receive a case number with the receipt notice via mail. This case number should be used for all your application status tracking purpose. You can either check your case status online at USCIS website or you may call the USCIS National Customer Service Center (NCSC) at 1-800-375-5283. All information regarding your application such as your receipt number, Alien Registration Number, name, and date of birth should be handy when making the call.

Application denied or rejected?

If an application for renewal of a Green card is disapproved, a notice via mail will inform you of the reasons for the revoke, and notify you of the proper appellate jurisdiction and the applicable deadlines, and provide you with the correct USCIS form to file an appeal.

Note: Information provided in this article is an overview of green card renewal procedure and is not to be considered a legal advise; the matter provided is subject to change in accordance with USCIS rules and regulations.

Resources and Links

• Immigration Forms and Fees
• USCIS eFiling Instructions

Related Articles:

• Green Card: Process Overview.
• Labor Certification Process for employment Based Green Card.
• I140 Process
• H1 extension beyond 6 yrs.

Source: Path2usa - H1 Visa, Green Card, Visitor Visa and Visitor Medical Insurance



Renewal of your green card (Alien Registration Receipt Card)

Who should apply to renew a green card.

Lawful permanent residents who were issued an Alien Registration Receipt Card, form I-551, commonly known as a Green Card, with a ten-year expiration date on the front of the card and the card is either expired or will expire within the next 6 months. You may submit your Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, up to six months prior to the expiration date on the I-551 card.


Green Card Renewal requirements.

You must bring these items in-person:

1. Completed form I-90 application to replace green card.
2. $130.00 filing fee should be paid by check or money order payable to U.S.
3. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
4. Two color photographs. Photo requirements are specified on the I-90 renewal application
5. Expiring or expired Green Card (the original Form I-551 valid for 10 years)
6. Photocopies of the front and back of your expiring or expired Green Card
7. Government-issued identification such as a state-issued driver's license, state-issued identification card, U.S. military-issued identification card, or your country's passport

If you are a renewal applicant and your name has changed legally from the name listed on your expiring or expired green card, bring documentation of the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree or other court document. If you were issued your green card before your 14th birthday and you are now over 14 years old, you must be fingerprinted. You will need to bring a check or money order for the $50 fingerprinting fee.

USCIS Application Support Center (ASC) in your area which accepts I-90 renewal applications.

Your completed Form I-90 and the other documents should be filed in the USCIS Application Support Center in your area which accepts I-90, green card renewal applications. When you visit the ASC, USCIS will review your renewal application. If all is in order, your current card will be returned to you along with authorization to use it as temporary evidence of your permanent resident status. USCIS will process your renewal application and, upon approval, mail you a new green card now officially known as the Permanent Resident Card, form I-551 valid for ten years.

If you lost your green card, you must apply at your local district or sub district USCIS office for processing of your Form I-90 application.

Source: U.S. Immigration: green card, immigrant visa and attorney directory.



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