Can I Renew My Green Card While Applying for Citizenship?
US Permanent Resident Green Card holders enjoy many benefits, including the option to become an American citizen after living in the USA for five years (less time in some cases) and satisfying other eligibility requirements.
Sometimes, a US permanent resident will apply to become an American citizen and before the naturalization process is completed, his or her Green Card will expire.
Many people wonder: Should I renew my Green Card while waiting for citizenship?
This article will discuss maintaining Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status in the United States and the issue of renewing a Green Card while waiting for citizenship, so keep reading to learn the essential information!
Table of Contents
Importance of Maintaining Valid Immigration Status
It is important for a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) of the United States, also referred to as a Green Card holder, to maintain his or her US immigration status.
US Permanent Resident status is permanent as long as a Green Card holder complies with the regulations.
There are different ways, however, that an immigrant could lose LPR status in the United States.
For example, an immigrant could deliberately abandon his or her US permanent resident status by:
- Staying outside of the US for an extended time period (in general, over 180 days in a year), unless it is a ‘temporary absence’
- Moving to a different country with the intention of permanently living there
- Declaring on US tax returns that he or she is a ‘non-immigrant’
A US immigration judge could also issue a final removal order against an immigrant whose permanent residence is rescinded if, for example, it is determined that he or she was not eligible to receive a Green Card.
When an immigrant completes the naturalization process to become an American citizen, he or she will lose LPR status.
LPR status does not end if an immigrant’s Permanent Resident Green Card expires.
Green Cards are generally valid for 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely for 10 years each time.
Nonetheless, a permanent resident of the United States is required to have a valid Green Card with him or her at all times.
Furthermore, the Green Card is an official form of identification for an immigrant living in the USA, used when applying for US employment, bank accounts, loans, education programs, etc.
Therefore, it is important to apply to renew your Green Card about six months before it expires, even if you have applied to become an American citizen, so that you always have proof of your Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status in the United States.
Consequences of not Renewing a Green Card
Your US permanent resident status does not expire, however, there can be consequences of not renewing your Green Card such as:
- You will not have valid proof of your Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status in the United States.
- You could be convicted of a misdemeanor crime, receive a fine (around $100) and spend up to 30 days in jail.
- You may find it challenging to obtain US employment, since you must show that you can legally work in the USA.
- You may face obstacles when trying to receive a professional license for your occupation.
- You may not be permitted to renew your driving license in the state where you live in the US.
- You may have problems when trying to buy a house.
- You could experience difficulty with, or be prevented from, re-entering the United States after a trip abroad.
Benefits of Renewing a Green Card during the Citizenship Process
- You will have valid proof of your Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status in the United States.
- You will be complying with the requirement for US permanent residents to have a Green Card with them.
- You will have proof that you can legally work in the USA.
- You will be able to show your valid Green Card in order to re-enter the United States after a trip abroad.
- You will be able to do other things that require you to show a valid Green Card.
Steps for Renewing a Green Card While Waiting for Citizenship
- You should file the Form I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card with USCIS 6 months before your Green Card expires.
- You have the option to file the Form I-90 with USCIS online or through the mail (there are benefits to filing online).
- You can file the Form I-90 online by creating an online account with USCIS.
- Make sure that you sign your Form I-90.
- You must pay the Form I-90 filing fee of $455 and the biometrics fee of $85 (fees are subject to change).
- You can check the status of your case via your USCIS online account, make and receive updates, and respond to any requests.
According to USCIS, as of December 12, 2022, if you filed a Form N-400 Application for Naturalization and received the Form N-400 receipt notice, and if your Green Card has expired, your Green Card status will be automatically extended for 24 months beyond its expiration date when you show both your expired Green Card and Form N-400 receipt notice together for purposes such as US employment or travel.
Conclusion
There are different ways to become a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) of the United States, such as the Employment-Based Green Card Program, the Diversity Visa (Green Card) Lottery Program and Family Sponsorship.
Green Card holders can live, study and work in the USA long-term and even apply to become an American citizen after living in the US for five years and meeting other criteria.
USAFIS can help you to pursue your best option for US immigration and make the process easier for you to complete correctly.
The first step is to check your eligibility.
- You can file the Form I-90 online by creating an online account with USCIS.
- Make sure that you sign your Form I-90.
- You must pay the Form I-90 filing fee of $455 and the biometrics fee of $85 (fees are subject to change).
- You can check the status of your case via your USCIS online account, make and receive updates, and respond to any requests.
According to USCIS, as of December 12, 2022, if you filed a Form N-400 Application for Naturalization and received the Form N-400 receipt notice, and if your Green Card has expired, your Green Card status will be automatically extended for 24 months beyond its expiration date when you show both your expired Green Card and Form N-400 receipt notice together for purposes such as US employment or travel.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Can I renew my Green Card while applying for citizenship?
Yes, you can renew your Green Card while applying for citizenship. If your Green Card has expired or will expire in the next six months, then you may want to file the Form I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card with USCIS.
Should I renew my Green Card while waiting for citizenship?
According to USCIS, as of December 12, 2022, if you filed a Form N-400 Application for Naturalization and received the Form N-400 receipt notice, and if your Green Card has expired, your Green Card status will be automatically extended for 24 months beyond its expiration date when you show both your expired Green Card and Form N-400 receipt notice together (for example, when applying for employment). If you filed the Form N-400 Application for Naturalization and your Green Card has expired or will expire in the next six months, but you do not have the Form N-400 receipt notice, you should file the Form I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card with USCIS.
What if my Green Card expires while waiting for citizenship?
If your Green Card expires while waiting for citizenship and you have the Form N-400 receipt notice, USCIS reports that your Green Card status will be automatically extended for 24 months beyond its expiration date when you show the expired Green Card and the Form N-400 receipt notice together (such as when you apply for US employment). In the event that you do not have the N-400 receipt notice, then you should file the Form I-90 with USCIS to renew your Green Card while waiting for citizenship.
What is the significance of renewing a Green Card while waiting for citizenship?
A Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) of the United States is required to always have a valid US Green Card in his or her possession as proof of LPR status, even while waiting for citizenship to be approved. According to USCIS, if you have an expired Green Card and the N-400 receipt notice, the status of your Green Card will be automatically extended for 24 months beyond its expiration date when you show them together. In the event that your Green Card expires, but you don’t have the Form N-400 receipt notice, then you should file the Form I-90 with USCIS to renew your Green Card while waiting for citizenship.
Can I apply for citizenship while renewing my Green Card?
Yes, you can apply for citizenship while renewing your Green Card as long as you satisfy the eligibility requirements to become an American citizen through the naturalization process. This will involve filing the Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (Form I-90) with USCIS, receiving the Notice of Action (Form I-797C) from USCIS and then filing the Application for Naturalization (Form N-400) along with a copy of the Form I-797C with USCIS. The governmental fees must also be paid and the required documents provided.
What Our Clients Say
