What is a Permanent Resident Card?
A Permanent Resident Card, frequently known as a Green Card, is evidence of your status as a lawful long-term resident with a right to live and work permanently in the United States. It also is proof 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?
Area 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 invoice card in such kind and way and at such time as will be recommended under regulations.”
It also mentions, “Every alien, eighteen years of age and over, shall at all times carry with him and have in his individual possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration invoice card released to him.
The specific requirements and procedures for applying to restore an expiring long-term resident card are stated in the Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] at 8 CFR § 264.5.
Who Should Renew a Permanent Resident Card?
You need to renew your permanent resident card if you are a long-term local who was released a Form I-551 valid for ten years, and that card is either expired or will end within the next six months.
If you are a Conditional Resident and your status is expiring, these directions do not refer to you. You are to use Form I-751 (Petition to Remove the Conditions on Residence) to apply to eliminate the conditions on your long-term resident status.
How Do I Apply to Renew My Permanent Resident Card?
You may restore your card by submitting an Form I-90 if you are a lawful irreversible citizen whose ten-year I-551 has expired or will end within the next 6 months.
How Can I Find Out the Status of My Application?
Please click here for complete guidelines on checking the status of your application. Or, you may examine the status of your application online at Case Status Online.
If My Application is Denied How Can I Appeal?
If your application for a renewal of your long-term resident card is rejected, you will get a letter that will inform you why the application was denied. By submitting such a movement, you may ask the USCIS office to reexamine or reassess its choice.
A motion to resume should mention the new truths that are to be offered in the reopened case and needs to be accompanied by the proper documentary proof. A motion to reassess need to develop that the choice to deny your application was based upon an inaccurate application of law or Immigration policy, and even more develop that the decision was incorrect, based on the proof in the file at the time the decision was made. For more details, please see How Do I Appeal the Denial of Petition or Application?
Can Anyone Help Me?
You might call the District Office near your home for a list of organizations who can help you with the preparation and filing of your application if advice is needed.
You might also want to consult an attorney. This law office can help with many visa types: