The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently made a significant announcement that impacts many lawful permanent residents in the United States. For those renewing their Green Cards by filing Form I-90, USCIS has extended the validity period of their Permanent Resident Cards (Green Cards) from 24 months to 36 months. This change aims to provide greater flexibility and peace of mind for lawful permanent residents as they await their renewed cards. If you’re dealing with the Green Card renewal process, this update might directly affect you. Read on and reach out to a New York City immigration lawyer from the Lightman Law Firm to learn about what this may mean for you.
What Does the New 36-Month Extension Mean?
For individuals who file Form I-90 to renew an expiring or expired Green Card, USCIS now automatically extends the validity of your current Green Card by 36 months, up from the previous 24-month extension. This extension applies to all lawful permanent residents who file Form I-90 properly. It serves as a temporary measure to ensure that you maintain proof of your status while USCIS processes your application.
The 36-month extension begins from the expiration date on your Green Card. Receipt notices from USCIS will now reflect this updated period, and individuals who have already filed Form I-90 and are awaiting processing will receive amended notices.
How Do Receipt Notices Serve as Evidence of Your Status?
If your Green Card expires while USCIS is processing your renewal, the receipt notice you receive after submitting Form I-90 serves as evidence of your lawful permanent resident status. This receipt notice, paired with your expired Green Card, proves that your status is still valid while you wait for your new card.
The 36-month extension directly addresses the delays many applicants experience due to extended processing times. USCIS updated its process to help ensure that lawful permanent residents are not left without valid proof of their status for an extended period. In practice, this means that the receipt notice should be kept with your expired Green Card and presented when needed to prove your residency status.
What Should You Do If You Don’t Have Your Green Card?
If you no longer possess your Green Card and need evidence of your lawful permanent resident status while waiting for a replacement, there’s an option available. You can contact USCIS to request an appointment at a USCIS field office. At the appointment, you may be issued an Alien Documentation, Identification, and Telecommunications (ADIT) stamp, which temporarily serves as proof of your status until your new Green Card is issued.
This step is critical for those who may need to travel, verify employment, or update records while their Form I-90 is being processed.
