If your Green Card is about to expire, starting the renewal process on time is important to both document your status and avoid problems with travel and work.
10-year valid Green Cards are generally renewed using Form I-90. Expiration, lost cards, name changes, or travel plans can affect how the application proceeds. Especially using the wrong form or preparing required documents incompletely can unnecessarily prolong the process.
In this article, we cover 2026 Green Card renewal fees, application steps, the 36-month extension rule, and important points to watch out for.
What Is Green Card Renewal?
Green Card renewal is the process of renewing a Permanent Resident Card that has expired or is about to expire.
The official name of the Green Card is the Permanent Resident Card, and its form number is Form I-551. Most permanent residents are issued a card valid for 10 years. The card is one of the primary documents showing that an individual is a permanent resident in the U.S.
The primary application form used to renew a standard 10-year Green Card is Form I-90.
Form I-90 is not only used to renew expired cards. According to the USCIS form, it can also be used to replace a Green Card in the following situations:
Cases where the Green Card has been lost, stolen, or destroyed
Severe damage to the card
Inaccuracies in the information printed on the card
Legal changes to name or other biographical data
Instances where the cardholder reaches 14 years of age
Expiration of the current Green Card or expiration within the next 6 months
The reason for application can change the required documents and, in some cases, the fee to be paid.
When Should a Green Card Be Renewed?
Holders of a 10-year valid Green Card can apply for renewal using Form I-90 when their card has 6 months or less remaining until expiration. An I-90 application can also be filed for a card whose validity has already expired.
Leaving the application to the last day can lead to additional problems, especially for individuals who have recent international travel plans or may need a current status document.
Therefore, it is important to check the expiration date on the Green Card in advance and start the renewal process on time.
How Much Is the 2026 Green Card Renewal Fee?
According to the USCIS current fee schedule for 2026, standard Form I-90 application fees are as follows:
Online application: $415
Paper application: $465
These fees are specified for Form I-90 in the current USCIS G-1055 fee schedule.
Some special I-90 applications may be free of charge. For example, fee waivers may apply in situations such as incorrect information on the Green Card due to a USCIS error, or failure of the card sent by USCIS to reach the applicant under certain conditions.
Some applicants with suitable financial situations can also request a fee waiver via Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver. USCIS’s current criteria include receiving certain means-tested social benefits, having a household income at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or experiencing severe financial hardship.
Since the online application option cannot be used for most applications where a fee waiver is requested, the form must be submitted on paper.
How to Apply for a Green Card Renewal?
The Green Card renewal process consists of several basic stages for most people.
1. Determine the correct reason for application
When filling out Form I-90, the reason why the Green Card is being renewed or replaced is stated.
Although the same Form I-90 is used for an expiring card and a lost card, the application category to be selected and the documents to be submitted may differ.
2. Prepare the Form I-90 application
Eligible applications can be submitted online via USCIS or by using paper Form I-90.
The application requests personal information, A-Number, Green Card details, and various information regarding how permanent resident status was obtained.
Providing incorrect or incomplete information may cause delays in the application or lead USCIS to request additional documents.
3. Attach the required documents
The reason for application determines which documents must be submitted.
A copy of the current Green Card is among the fundamental documents in a standard renewal application. If the card is lost or stolen, USCIS may request alternative documents such as a passport, driver’s license, or another official photo ID.
In cases such as a legal name change, additional documents like a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the change may be required.
4. Track the USCIS receipt notice document
After USCIS accepts the application, it generally sends a Form I-797, Notice of Action.
This document is not merely a receipt showing that the application has been received. In eligible I-90 renewal applications, it can also extend the validity of the expiring Green Card for a certain period.
5. Attend the biometrics appointment if necessary
When evaluating the I-90 application, USCIS may schedule a biometrics appointment to take fingerprints, photographs, or signatures. If USCIS deems it necessary, it sends a notification to the applicant regarding the appointment date, time, and location.
If an appointment is scheduled, the notification must be followed carefully.
6. Track the application outcome
The application status can be tracked via the USCIS Case Status system or the USCIS online account.
If a change of address occurs, it is especially important to update USCIS records as well. USCIS requires individuals who change addresses in the U.S. to report the change generally within 10 days. Making an address change through USPS does not automatically change USCIS records.
How Long Does a Green Card Renewal Application Take?
There is no fixed processing time that applies to everyone for a Green Card renewal.
According to USCIS fiscal year 2026 data, the national average processing time for Form I-90 renewal and replacement applications is approximately 7.1 months as of July 31, 2026. The average time means that half of the cases are completed in less than this time, and the other half take longer.
This figure does not guarantee how long an individual file will take to be processed. The nature of the application, request for additional documents, biometrics procedures, and USCIS workload can change the duration.
USCIS also notes that processing time information may change over time and recommends that applicants use the current case processing tool.
What Happens If the Green Card Expires?
The expiration of the date on the Green Card means that the validity of the status document held by the individual has ended. This can create problems, especially in documenting work authorization or permanent resident status and during international travel.
USCIS provides an important convenience for individuals who properly file an I-90 renewal application.
The Form I-90 receipt notice, when used together with the expired Green Card, can extend the validity of the card for 36 months. This 36-month period is calculated from the expiration date printed on the Green Card.
Therefore, keeping the Form I-797 receipt notice received during the application is extremely important.
Can You Work While Waiting for a Green Card Renewal?
In eligible I-90 renewal applications, the expired Green Card and the receipt notice containing the 36-month extension information issued by USCIS can be used together.
According to CBP’s published information for carriers, when these documents are presented together, the Green Card holder can have valid status documents for work and travel purposes during the 36-month extension period starting from the expiration date on the card.
If the document is lost or the individual does not have the expired physical Green Card on hand, a different temporary status document may be needed.
Can You Travel Abroad While Waiting for a Green Card Renewal?
An ongoing I-90 application does not prohibit international travel by itself.
The expired Green Card and the original I-797 receipt notice extending validity can be used together for travel. CBP states that the appropriate Form I-797 document showing that the application has been filed may be necessary for airlines to allow passengers with an expired Green Card to board the plane.
When planning travel, checking only the conditions for returning to the U.S. may not be sufficient. The passport and entry conditions of the destination country and the airline’s document policies must also be checked separately. CBP also specifically states that documents accepted for entry into the U.S. do not grant the right to enter another country.
Staying outside the U.S. for a long time can also raise separate legal issues regarding the Green Card. The fact that the card is being renewed does not eliminate the effects of long-term international travel on permanent resident status.
What to Do If the Green Card Is Lost or Stolen?
The Green Card can be replaced through Form I-90 not only when it expires, but also when it is lost, stolen, or damaged.
- If lost while inside the U.S., the applicant can request a replacement with Form I-90.
Instances of loss or theft occurring outside the U.S. requiring heightened caution
CBP states that for a Green Card stolen abroad, local police should be notified, and travel document options such as a boarding foil should be evaluated by contacting the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Therefore, a person whose Green Card is lost should not assume they can board a plane directly just because they filed an I-90 application.
What Can Be Done If Temporary Green Card Proof Is Needed?
Some individuals may need to additionally prove their permanent resident status for work, travel, or other official transactions before the new Green Card arrives.
USCIS can provide temporary I-551 proof known as an ADIT stamp in such cases. USCIS’s current appointment system allows ADIT stamp requests to be initiated online. In some cases, USCIS can complete the process without requiring the person to visit an office.
This option can become important, especially if the Green Card is lost or the current extension document’s validity is not sufficient.
Is a 2-Year Conditional Green Card Renewed with Form I-90?
This topic is one of the most important distinctions in the Green Card renewal process.
A 2-year conditional Green Card is not normally renewed using Form I-90.
Individuals who obtain conditional permanent resident status through marriage generally use Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence.
Individuals who obtain conditional permanent resident status through investment follow the Form I-829, Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status process.
These applications are generally filed during the 90-day period prior to the expiration of the 2-year card.
USCIS extends the Green Card validity of conditional permanent residents who properly file an I-751 or I-829 application by 48 months from the expiration date of the card via the receipt notice.
Therefore, if the card has a 2-year validity period, the type of Green Card must be checked before directly filing an I-90 application.
Can You Apply for Citizenship Instead of Renewing a Green Card?
When the opportunity to apply for citizenship is available, evaluating the situation before renewing can allow choosing the citizenship route. Some Green Card holders may be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship at the same time their card comes up for renewal.
According to USCIS’s current policy, for permanent residents who apply for citizenship with Form N-400 on or after December 12, 2022, the N-400 receipt notice can extend the validity of the card for 24 months when used together with the expired Green Card. USCIS states that this practice may reduce the need for some citizenship applicants to also file an I-90 application.
Eligibility for citizenship is not solely dependent on the validity period of the Green Card. Permanent residence duration, physical presence and continuous residence requirements in the U.S., travel history, tax status, and other citizenship criteria must also be evaluated separately.
Therefore, the answer to the question “Is it better to renew the Green Card or apply for citizenship?” may vary depending on the individual’s situation.
Common Mistakes in the Green Card Renewal Process
A seemingly simple renewal process can lead to unnecessary delays in some cases.
The most common issues include:
Mistakenly using Form I-90 for a 2-year conditional Green Card
Choosing the incorrect application reason
Submitting outdated or incorrect fees
Omission of necessary documents during name changes
Neglecting to update USCIS address information
Missing the scheduled biometrics appointment
Loss of the receipt notice document
Failure to verify whether the Green Card and extension documents are sufficient before travel
USCIS clearly states that failing to attend a required biometrics appointment can lead to the rejection of the I-90 application.
Frequently Asked Questions About Green Card Renewal
Which form is used to renew a Green Card?
Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, is generally used to renew a 10-year valid Green Card.
How long before expiration can a Green Card be renewed?
USCIS recommends applying for renewal when the 10-year card has 6 months or less remaining until expiration.
How much is the 2026 Green Card renewal fee?
As of September 30, 2026, the standard I-90 fee is $415 for online applications and $465 for paper applications. Some application categories may be free, and eligible individuals can request a fee waiver.
How long does Green Card renewal take?
In USCIS's FY2026 data, as of July 31, 2026, the national average for I-90 processing is approximately 7.1 months. This duration is not the same for every file, and current processing times should be checked via USCIS.
Can the old Green Card be used while waiting for renewal?
In eligible I-90 renewal applications, the receipt notice, together with the expired Green Card, can extend the validity of the card for 36 months from the expiration date.
Can you travel with an expired Green Card?
The appropriate 36-month extension receipt notice document along with the expired Green Card can be used for returning to the U.S. and airline boarding procedures. Before traveling, the document requirements of the airline and the destination country must be checked separately.
Is a 2-year Green Card renewed with Form I-90?
Generally no. Marriage-based conditional Green Card holders use the I-751 process, and investment-based conditional Green Card holders use the I-829 process.
How Can MC Law Firm Help You?
Green Card renewal may seem simple, but lost or stolen cards, previous immigration issues, extended travel abroad, or other personal circumstances can make the process more complicated.
If you are unsure which form to use or have encountered legal issues during your renewal process, our team can review your individual circumstances and help you understand your options.
At MC Law Firm, we provide professional legal support for Green Card renewals and other U.S. immigration matters. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
