Quick answer: How do you renew a 10-year Green Card?
If by “prolonging” your Green Card you mean extending the validity of an expiring 10-year Permanent Resident Card, the process is called Green Card renewal. File Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, if your card has expired or will expire within the next six months. Although the form’s official name uses “replace,” Form I-90 is also the form used to renew a 10-year Green Card.
You can file Form I-90 online through a USCIS online account or submit a paper application by mail. The current USCIS filing fee for a standard renewal is $415 online or $465 by mail. There is no separate biometrics fee.
The Green Card renewal process has five basic steps:
- Confirm that you have a 10-year Green Card and are within the renewal window.
- Choose online or paper filing.
- Complete Form I-90 and provide a copy of the front and back of your card.
- Pay the filing fee or submit an eligible fee-waiver request.
- Keep the USCIS receipt notice and respond to any later appointment or evidence request.
Expiration of the physical card does not, by itself, end your lawful permanent resident status. After USCIS accepts a qualifying renewal application, the Form I-90 receipt notice generally extends the validity of the expired card for 36 months from the expiration date printed on it. Present the expired card and the original receipt notice together as temporary evidence of permanent resident status.
| Green Card renewal fact | Current information |
|---|---|
| Form to file | Form I-90 |
| When to file | After the card expires or during the six months before expiration |
| Online filing fee | $415 |
| Paper filing fee | $465 |
| Separate biometrics fee | $0 |
| Receipt-notice extension | 36 months from the expiration date printed on the card |
Need help preparing your Green Card renewal?
ImmigrationDirect’s guided Form I-90 service helps you check basic eligibility, complete the application step by step, review your answers for missing or inconsistent information and identify the supporting documents for your renewal. The service prepares a print-ready application package with instructions for submitting it to USCIS. Start preparing your Green Card renewal application.
Is Green Card renewal the right process for you?
This guide applies if you have a 10-year Green Card that has expired or will expire within the next six months.
Use a different process in these situations:
- Lost, stolen, damaged, never received, or incorrect card: This is a replacement request, even though Form I-90 may still be used. Follow the Green Card replacement guide.
- Two-year marriage-based conditional Green Card: Do not file Form I-90 simply because the card is expiring. File Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence. See the Form I-751 guide for the separate process.
- Two-year investor conditional Green Card: File Form I-829, Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status.
If your card fits one of these situations, use the linked process instead of the renewal steps below. For every Form I-90 filing reason and the situations in which a different form is required, see Do You Need to File Form I-90?.
When should you renew your Green Card?
You can submit a Green Card renewal when your 10-year card:
- Has already expired; or
- Will expire within the next six months.
For example, if the card expires on December 15, you can generally file beginning June 15. If more than six months remain, wait until the card enters the six-month renewal window.
Can you renew an already expired Green Card?
Yes. File Form I-90 after the card expires. The expiration of the physical card does not automatically end lawful permanent resident status, but an expired card can make it harder to provide current evidence of that status until USCIS issues the receipt notice.
What if you have applied for U.S. citizenship?
A properly filed Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, generally results in a receipt notice extending the Green Card for 24 months from its expiration date. This may remove the need to file Form I-90 solely because the card will expire while naturalization is pending.
The N-400 extension does not replace a card that was lost, stolen or damaged. Review the USCIS naturalization extension policy before deciding whether a separate renewal is necessary.
How much does Green Card renewal cost?
The current USCIS fees for a standard 10-year Green Card renewal are:
| Filing method | USCIS filing fee | Separate biometrics fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online filing | $415 | $0 | $415 |
| Paper filing by mail | $465 | $0 | $465 |
Online filing costs $50 less. USCIS may still schedule a biometrics appointment, but it does not charge a separate biometrics fee for Form I-90.
These are government filing fees and do not include any optional form-preparation or legal-service fees. They were checked against the USCIS Fee Schedule, edition 05/29/26. Verify the fee again immediately before filing because USCIS can change its fee schedule.
For a more detailed cost explanation, read our Form I-90 filing-fee guide.
How do you pay the Green Card renewal fee?
Online filing: Pay through Pay.gov during the USCIS online filing process. Payment options generally include a credit, debit or prepaid card, or an ACH withdrawal from a bank account.
Paper filing: Include one of these payment authorizations on top of the mailed application:
- Form G-1450 for a credit, debit or prepaid card issued by a U.S. financial institution; or
- Form G-1650 for an ACH withdrawal from a U.S. bank account.
USCIS no longer generally accepts personal checks, business checks, money orders or cashier’s checks for mailed filings. A person who qualifies for an exception to the electronic-payment requirement must include Form G-1651 and an accepted paper payment.
Confirm that the authorized amount is correct and that sufficient funds are available. USCIS may reject the filing if the payment is declined or incorrect.
Can you get a Green Card renewal fee waiver?
Form I-90 is eligible for a fee waiver. An applicant may qualify by documenting at least one of these circumstances:
- Receipt of a qualifying means-tested benefit;
- Household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines; or
- Extreme financial hardship caused by extraordinary expenses or other circumstances.
To request a waiver, mail the paper Form I-90 with Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, or an eligible written request, and the supporting financial evidence. A Form I-90 fee-waiver request cannot be filed online.
See the fee waiver evidence guide for document examples. A fee waiver is not automatic; USCIS must approve the request.
What documents do you need to renew a Green Card?
For a standard renewal of an expired or expiring 10-year Green Card, the primary supporting document is a clear copy of the front and back of your current or expired Green Card.
You will also need the information required to complete the application, including:
- Your Alien Registration Number, or A-Number;
- Your name, date of birth and contact information;
- Information printed on your current card;
- Your address and other information requested on Form I-90; and
- Payment information or fee-waiver evidence, depending on how you file.
Do not mail the original Green Card for an ordinary renewal unless USCIS specifically instructs you to surrender it. Keep the original card because it must be presented with the renewal receipt notice to use the 36-month extension.
A cover letter is not generally required. USCIS may request additional evidence after reviewing the application. Applicants with a name change, incorrect card, missing card, or another nonrenewal issue should use the evidence requirements for that separate filing reason. See the complete Form I-90 document checklist for those situations.
Should you renew your Green Card online or by mail?
Most renewal applicants can choose either method.
Where do you renew a Green Card?
You renew a Green Card by submitting Form I-90 to USCIS. You can file online through a USCIS online account or mail a paper application to the current Form I-90 Lockbox address. A standard renewal is not submitted at a USCIS field office or biometrics location.
Online filing may fit you if you:
- Want the $50 lower filing fee;
- Prefer to upload the card copy electronically;
- Want case notices and updates in one online account; or
- Want to respond to certain USCIS requests electronically.
Paper filing is required if you:
- Are requesting a fee waiver; or
- Cannot complete or submit the application through the USCIS online system.
Online filing does not guarantee a faster decision. Choose the method that lets you submit a complete, accurate application and retain reliable records. Whichever filing method you choose, read our Form I-90 instructions for line-by-line help completing the application.
How to file a Green Card renewal online
Use the official USCIS online account to file Form I-90 electronically.
- Create or sign in to your USCIS account. Go to the USCIS online account and select Form I-90.
- Choose the renewal reason. Select the option stating that the 10-year card has expired or will expire within six months.
- Complete the application. Enter the requested personal, address and immigration information. Compare names, dates, the A-Number and class of admission with your records.
- Upload the card copy. Provide readable images of the front and back of the current or expired Green Card.
- Review, pay and submit. Check every answer, pay the current online fee through Pay.gov and save the confirmation and receipt number.
You cannot use online filing when requesting a fee waiver. For screen-level instructions and troubleshooting, read Can You File Form I-90 Online? A Simple Filing Guide.
Preparing a form online is different from filing it online
The USCIS online account is the government’s filing system. A private preparation platform can help prepare and review the application, but it does not necessarily submit the form to USCIS.
If you use a preparation service, confirm whether you must upload the completed application to USCIS or print and mail it. You remain responsible for submitting the application and paying the government fee. See How to Prepare USCIS Forms Online: Options and What to Consider for a comparison.
How to file a Green Card renewal by mail
Use the current paper Form I-90 and the mailing address listed by USCIS.
- Download the current form and instructions. As of August 11, 2026, USCIS lists the 01/20/25 edition on the Form I-90 page. Check the accepted edition again before filing.
- Complete and sign the application. Type the answers or print clearly in black ink. Select the renewal reason in Part 2 and sign the form. USCIS rejects unsigned forms.
- Attach the supporting document. Include a legible copy of the front and back of the current or expired Green Card.
- Add payment or the fee-waiver request. Include Form G-1450, Form G-1650 or a qualifying Form I-912 package, as applicable.
- Optionally request an electronic acceptance notice. Place Form G-1145 on top if you want a text message or email when the USCIS Lockbox accepts the package. This message is not the official receipt notice.
- Copy and mail the complete package. Keep a copy of everything and use a delivery method that provides tracking.
Where do you mail a Green Card renewal application?
The current Form I-90 addresses are:
U.S. Postal Service
USCIS
Attn: I-90
P.O. Box 21262
Phoenix, AZ 85036-1262
FedEx, UPS and DHL
USCIS
Attn: I-90 (Box 21262)
2108 E. Elliot Road
Tempe, AZ 85284-1806
These addresses were verified on August 11, 2026. Check the USCIS Form I-90 page immediately before mailing because filing locations may change. Do not send a duplicate application unless USCIS returns or rejects the first filing.
What happens after you submit a Green Card renewal?
USCIS may not require every step in every case, but a renewal generally follows this sequence.
1. USCIS sends a receipt notice
USCIS issues Form I-797, Notice of Action, after accepting the application. The notice contains the receipt number used to track the case. It confirms acceptance, not approval.
For a qualifying renewal, the notice generally extends the Green Card for 36 months from the expiration date printed on the card. Keep the original notice with the expired card.
2. How do you check your Green Card renewal status?
Use the receipt number from Form I-797 to check your application through USCIS Case Status Online or your USCIS online account.
An online-filed case should appear in your USCIS account. For a paper filing, USCIS scans the application for electronic processing and may send an Account Acceptance Notice explaining how to access the case online.
Use these services to review status updates, USCIS notices and available card-delivery information. If the case is outside the published processing time, follow the USCIS processing-times tool to determine whether you can submit a case inquiry.
3. USCIS may schedule biometrics
USCIS does not require every renewal applicant to attend a new biometrics appointment. If an appointment is necessary, USCIS sends Form I-797C with the date, time and Application Support Center location.
Bring the appointment notice and valid photo identification. USCIS may collect fingerprints, a photograph and a signature. Follow the instructions to reschedule before the appointment if you cannot attend. Missing a required appointment without properly rescheduling may result in denial. See the biometrics appointment guide for preparation details.
4. USCIS may request more evidence
A Request for Evidence explains what is missing and provides a response deadline. Submit all requested material by that deadline using the method stated in the notice. An evidence request is not a denial, but failing to respond can lead USCIS to decide the application on the existing record or deny it.
5. USCIS decides the application and mails the card
If USCIS approves the renewal, it produces the new Green Card and mails it to the address on file. The USCIS online account may display the USPS tracking number.
Check the new card immediately. Confirm the name, date of birth, A-Number, resident-since date and other information. If the card does not arrive, use the USCIS card non-delivery inquiry.
How long does Green Card renewal take?
Processing time varies by filing category and USCIS workload. Do not rely on a fixed number of weeks or months.
Use the official USCIS processing-times tool. Select Form I-90 and the renewal category, then follow the tool’s prompts for the applicable USCIS office. If the case is outside the published inquiry date, follow the tool’s instructions to submit a case inquiry.
For a current explanation of the data and case stages, read the Form I-90 processing-time guide.
How can you work, travel and prove status while renewal is pending?
The expired Green Card and qualifying Form I-90 receipt notice work together as temporary evidence during the 36-month extension period.
Working while the renewal is pending
Lawful permanent residents remain authorized to work. For a new Form I-9, an expired Green Card presented with the qualifying extension notice may serve as a List A document showing identity and employment authorization.
An employer generally should not reverify an existing employee merely because a Green Card previously presented for Form I-9 has expired. Review the USCIS Form I-9 guidance for lawful permanent residents.
Traveling while the renewal is pending
The expired card and qualifying receipt notice may be used as temporary evidence for international travel. Carry both original documents and a valid passport. Also check the entry and transit requirements for every country on the itinerary and confirm document requirements with the carrier before departure.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection makes the admission decision at the port of entry. The receipt notice does not replace a passport or another country’s visa requirement. See the Green Card international-travel guide for additional considerations.
What if you cannot present the expired card?
The I-90 receipt notice alone does not provide the same document combination. After filing Form I-90, contact the USCIS Contact Center if you need temporary evidence of status, commonly called an ADIT stamp or temporary Form I-551.
What if there is a problem with your Green Card renewal?
Update your address after filing
If you move while the renewal is pending, update the address through the USCIS online account or the official USCIS change-of-address process. A USPS change of address does not update the pending case with USCIS.
An outdated USCIS address can cause missed notices, appointments or delivery of the new card.
What is the difference between rejection and denial?
- Rejection: USCIS did not accept the filing, commonly because the form was unsigned or incomplete, the edition was unacceptable or the payment was incorrect. Follow the rejection notice, correct the issue and submit a new application.
- Denial: USCIS accepted and reviewed the application but determined that eligibility was not established. The denial notice explains the reason and available response.
Can you appeal a Green Card renewal denial?
A Form I-90 denial cannot be appealed. Depending on the reason, the applicant may be able to file Form I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion, as a motion to reopen or reconsider:
- A motion to reopen presents new facts supported by documentary evidence.
- A motion to reconsider argues that USCIS incorrectly applied law or policy based on the record that existed when the decision was made.
Follow the deadline and filing instructions in the denial notice. A new Form I-90 may be more appropriate in some cases. Read the Green Card renewal rejection and denial guide and consider legal advice when the decision involves abandonment of residence, removal proceedings, fraud or another issue affecting permanent resident status.
Can you expedite Green Card renewal?
USCIS may expedite a pending renewal at its discretion and on a case-by-case basis. USCIS generally requires evidence and considers requests involving:
- Severe financial loss to a person or company;
- An emergency or urgent humanitarian situation;
- A qualifying nonprofit request furthering U.S. cultural or social interests;
- A government interest; or
- A clear USCIS error.
A job offer, planned trip or long wait does not automatically qualify. After receiving the renewal receipt number, follow the USCIS expedite-request instructions. An approved expedite request moves the case ahead of normal processing; it does not waive filing requirements or guarantee approval. Form I-90 does not have premium processing.
Green Card renewal FAQs
Do I need a medical exam to renew my Green Card?
Generally, no. A standard Form I-90 renewal does not require Form I-693 or a new immigration medical examination. The primary supporting document for an ordinary 10-year renewal is a copy of the front and back of your current or expired Green Card. USCIS will notify you if it needs additional evidence.
Will USCIS interview me for a Green Card renewal?
An interview is not required for every Green Card renewal. USCIS may request an interview when it needs to verify your identity, eligibility, or information provided in the application. If an interview is required, USCIS will send a notice with the date, location, and instructions.
An interview is different from a biometrics appointment. USCIS may schedule biometrics to collect fingerprints, a photograph, or a signature without conducting an interview.
Can I renew my Green Card while outside the United States?
Your next step depends on when the card expires and when you will return. If you are outside the United States, your card will expire within six months, and you expect to return within one year of leaving the United States and before the card expires, the Form I-90 instructions state that you should file after returning.
If your Green Card expires while you are abroad and you did not file for renewal before leaving, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate or a U.S. port of entry before attempting to file Form I-90. Extended travel can also raise separate questions about maintaining permanent resident status.
Can I renew an expired Green Card?
Yes. You can file Form I-90 after your 10-year Green Card expires. Expiration of the card does not automatically end your lawful permanent resident status, but it can make it harder to provide current evidence of that status.
After USCIS accepts a qualifying renewal application, the receipt notice generally extends the expired card for 36 months from the expiration date printed on it. Keep the original receipt notice with the expired card.
Which form is used for a two-year conditional Green Card?
Do not file Form I-90 merely because a two-year conditional Green Card is expiring. Marriage-based conditional permanent residents generally file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence. Investor conditional permanent residents generally file Form I-829, Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status.
These petitions are generally filed during the 90 days before the conditional card expires. Different filing rules may apply to certain Form I-751 waiver cases.
What if my Green Card expires while Form I-90 is pending?
Expiration of your card while Form I-90 is pending does not automatically end your permanent resident status. For a qualifying renewal, the Form I-90 receipt notice extends the validity of the expired card for 36 months from its printed expiration date.
Keep the original receipt notice with the expired Green Card. Together, they provide temporary evidence of permanent resident status and may be used for employment and international travel during the extension period. If you cannot present the expired card, contact the USCIS Contact Center about obtaining temporary evidence of status.
Do you have to renew a 10-year Green Card?
You should renew the physical 10-year Green Card when it expires or during the six months before expiration. Card expiration does not automatically end lawful permanent resident status, but an expired card can make it harder to provide current evidence of that status.
A simpler way to prepare your Green Card renewal
Green Card renewal involves more than entering information on Form I-90. You must select the correct filing reason, provide consistent information, include the required documents and follow the current USCIS filing instructions.
ImmigrationDirect’s guided online service helps you prepare your application step by step. The software checks basic eligibility, reviews your answers for missing or inconsistent information, identifies the supporting documents for your situation and prepares a print-ready application package with filing instructions.
You can complete the application at your own pace, save your progress and review everything before sending it to USCIS. This makes the preparation process easier to manage and helps reduce avoidable filing errors.
Start preparing your Green Card renewal application with ImmigrationDirect.
ImmigrationDirect is a private company and is not affiliated with USCIS. Its service fee is separate from the USCIS filing fee. ImmigrationDirect does not provide legal advice or guarantee that USCIS will accept or approve an application.
