Green Card Renewal Process

A Green Card or Permanent Resident Card is a verification that allows a person to live and work permanently in the United States. This card is provided if you meet certain eligibilities and the application is approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) department. This card is proof of legal status and should be carried at all times. After it expires, or within six months of expiration, the Green Card can be renewed. However, this process can be confusing, and denials are common. An immigration lawyer in Kent, Ohio is able to assist with the renewal process.

Do I Need to Renew My Green Card?

Many Green Cards come with an expiration date. When it reaches that date, a renewal process must be started. However, there are some Green Cards that do not expire. These are often older Green Cards that the USCIS does not require be renewed. An expiration date on the Green Card should answer the question “do I need to renew my green card?”

If your Green Card has a ten-year expiration date, you can file an application online at the USCIS website. You can apply when your Green Card has expired or within six months before the expiration date. It is recommended to start the process early to ensure you have a valid Green Card at all times.

If your Green Card has a two-year expiration date, this is a conditional Green Card. Before you can renew this type of Green Card, you must first apply to have the conditions removed. This petition should be done within 90 days before the Green Card expires.

How to Renew Your Green Card in Ohio

How to Renew Your Green Card in Ohio can be as easy as applying online at the USCIS website. The forms can also be obtained and mailed into the proper office for review. It is important that the right forms are filed for the specific type of Green Card you are renewing.

For those with a ten-year Green Card, the USCIS form I-90 is the form that needs to be completed to begin the renewal process. This form must be completed in its entirety. Any missing fields could have the form rejected. The form also requires a signature for proper completion. This form can be completed online or sent through the mail. However, if completing the form online, all fees must be paid at the time of submission. If applying for a fee waiver, the form cannot be submitted online.

For those with conditional Green Cards, forms must be filed to remove the conditions before renewal can occur. For those who have a Green Card due to marriage, the form I-751 must be completed. This is a petition to remove the conditions on residence. For those who received their Green Card from financial investments in a U.S. business, form I-829 must be completed, this is a petition by an entrepreneur to remove conditions.

How Many Times Can You Renew a Green Card?

After being in the country for some time, you may wonder how many times can you renew a Green Card. Fortunately, a Green Card does not have any limits on how many times it can be renewed. As long as you are still eligible for the card, you can continue to renew it for as long as you wish to live in the United States, or until you become a Naturalized Citizen. Valid Green Card holders can apply for Naturalization after five years, or at least three years if married to a U.S. citizen. However, your Green Card must be valid during the Naturalization process. This website provides some information on the Naturalization process for Green Card holders wishing to choose this route.

How Much Does It Cost to Renew?

Filing fees for the Form I-90 for renewing your ten-year Green Card costs $455. There is also a fee of $85 for biometric services. If filing online, this fee will be due at the time of filing. However, you can apply for a waiver of these fees if you file by mail.

For the conditional status as a spouse of a U.S. citizen, the filing fee for the I-751 is $595 with a biometric service fee of $85. The entrepreneur conditional status form I-829 has a cost of $3,750 and a biometric fee of $85 dollars.

What Happens after the Forms are Submitted?

After the forms for renewal of a Green Card are submitted, it can be difficult waiting patiently for the status of the renewal. Fortunately, the USCIS provides a method for individuals to check the status of their application for renewal. The status can be found online at their website or through the USCIS contact center. If filing online, you will create an online account that will allow you to check the status of your case. Even if you file through the mail, updates and notifications about your account will be sent via the U.S. Postal Service to keep you up to date on the process.

If you are filing to have conditions removed from your two-year Green Card, the status of your application is not available in the same manner. However, you can attach the Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance to the front of your application. This will allow notifications to be sent to your e-mail or by text message to provide updates on the status of your application.

Denied Green Card Renewal

Very often, people are denied Green Card renewal. This can be a frightening and confusing time for those who have been denied. Unfortunately, the rate of denials for Green Card renewals has increased over the last decade. Fortunately, there are options to help in these situations. An immigration lawyer in Northeast Ohio provides assistance for those denied Green Card renewal.

If your application is denied, you will receive a letter from the USCIS detailing the decision. Once this has been received, you can choose to have it reopened or reconsidered by the same office that made the original decision. This motion will require new facts about the case to show cause for the reconsideration. You also have the right to appeal any decision made by the USCIS.

The most common reasons for having a Green Card denied include lying on a form, committing a crime, an order of removal, or filing the wrong form. However, the list of potential reasons is extensive and can be difficult for individuals to determine the best route to follow without the assistance of an immigration attorney in Akron, Ohio. An attorney can assist with refiling any paperwork or even accompanying you to court in these cases.

Getting Help with Any Step of the Process

Whether you are applying for a renewal or have been denied that renewal, it is important to get help where available. This process can be long and confusing for many people. An immigration lawyer is experienced with the process and can assist in every step to ensure a complete and accurate filing, as well as provide representation to help your case succeed.

Barbara Griffin is an immigration lawyer in Kent, Ohio. She also provides services in Akron and Northeast Ohio. She is experienced in the renewal processes for a Green Card and can assist you in filing for this. Mrs. Griffin has practiced immigration law in Columbus, Ohio and Virginia Beach, Virginia where she focused on removal defense and family-based immigration. Her experience and training provide the help Green Card applicants need to have their rights preserved.