Time to Renew Expiring Green Cards
Posted Sep 24, 1999

In 1989, green cards (now officially called permanent resident cards or I-551 cards, and formerly called alien registration receipt cards) began to be routinely issued with ten-year expiration dates. Prior to that time, the cards (except for the two-year conditional cards issued in certain relative and investor cases) had no expiration dates. The fact that a card has a ten-year expiration date does not mean that ones status expires at that time or that the persons status is called into question; rather the card itself expires and must be updated, with a new photo and fingerprint. And, not surprisingly, one is obliged to submit a form and pay a fee (now $110) to INS for the process. Hopefully, many of those whose 10 year cards will be expiring have filed for or have obtained U.S. citizenship.

Noting that many of the ten-year cards are shortly due to expire, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) issued a public statement reminding permanent residents to renew their cards. While the renewal applications are pending with the INS, the lawful permanent resident applicants will be able to have their passports stamped at their local INS district office. This stamp can be shown as proof of ones lawful permanent resident status, such as for employment and travel purposes.

Applications for replacement cards can be filed up to six months prior to the expiration date on the I-551 card. In most locations, those applications are filed in person at the local INS office with jurisdiction over the applicants current place of residence. However, INS is implementing mail-in procedures at certain designated locations. INS also states that it will put into place improved customer service procedures to prevent lengthy wait times for the new cards. The average current processing time is 10 to 12 months.

Should any readers need assistance with the permanent resident card replacement process, you are welcome to call or e-mail The Law Office of Sheela Murthy, P.C.