USCIS Extends Green Card Validity to 24 Months for Renewals

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a new policy that extends the validity of Permanent Resident Cards (Green Cards) to 24 months for lawful permanent residents who file Form I-90 to renew an expiring or expired Green Card. This new policy, effective September 26, 2022, aims to help applicants experiencing longer processing times.

New Policy: 24-Month Green Card Validity Extension

Previously, Form I-90 receipt notices provided a 12-month extension of the validity of a Green Card. However, USCIS has updated the language on Form I-90 receipt notices to extend the validity of a Green Card for 24 months for individuals who filed Form I-90. This new policy will allow green card holders to continue to work and travel while they await their replacement cards.

Presentation of Form I-90 Receipt Notice

Form I-90 receipt notices can now be presented with an expired Green Card as evidence of continued status. In addition, the extension period runs from the green card expiration date. This will help applicants who experience longer processing times because they will have proof of lawful permanent resident status as they await their renewed Green Card. Applicants with a pending I-90 application who lack their Green Card can request evidence of their lawful permanent resident status. While waiting for a replacement, they may contact the USCIS Contact Center. They can request a USCIS Field Office appointment to receive an Alien Documentation, Identification, and Telecommunications (ADIT) stamp.

Conclusion:

The USCIS’s new policy extends the validity of Permanent Resident Cards to 24 months. This applies to lawful permanent residents who file Form I-90 and is a welcome development. It will help alleviate some of the challenges faced by green card holders who experience longer processing times by enabling them to continue working and traveling. Yet, at the same time, they await their renewed Green Cards.

Click here for more on the Green Card information, or visit the USCIS for details.