As long as you have the I-551 version of the green card, it is still valid – even if there's no expiration date printed on it. USCIS has discussed implementing a rule requiring permanent residents to replace green cards that lack expiration dates, but they have not implemented such a rule to date.
approximately 10 to 12 months
USCIS will put what they consider to be your legal name on the naturalization certificate. By their definition, that means the name on your birth certificate, unless it has been changed by a legal action such as marriage or a court order.
Permanent Resident Cards Without Expiration Dates Must Be Replaced. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today a proposal to require nearly 750,000 lawful permanent residents carrying “green cards” without an expiration date to replace their current cards.
The current cost to renew a green card is $540, which includes a $455 filing fee and an $85 biometrics fee (for your fingerprint, photo, and signature). You do not have to pay either fee if you're also applying for a fee waiver.
The physical Green Card is valid for 10 years, but your status as lawful permanent resident is forever as long as all conditions are met. The Green Card is valid for 10 years, but can be easily renewed.
A Green Card is ForeverOnce the 2-year conditional period is up, it's time to apply for the removal of the conditions since it cannot be renewed like the 10-year green card. Though the 10-year green card can be renewed, there are immense benefits at that point to apply for naturalization.
You can easily find the Date of Admission on the front side of your green card. The date is near the bottom next to “Resident Since.” For example, “08/21/07” would be the Date of Admission for the green card holder shown in the image below. The location on the card has changed over time.
As a proof of their lawful status, the United States issues them identification documents, called permanent resident cards. These resident cards issued to the lawful residents are commonly known as Green Cards. It is not mandatory to apply for US Citizenship and you can remain a Green Card holder forever.
The current style of U.S. green card (also known as an I-551 or permanent resident card) expires every ten years, before which time it must be renewed. If you are caught with an expired green card, or an old-style green card with no expiration date, you could be prosecuted for a misdemeanor.
You can only be deported from the U.S. if your lawful permanent residency status is no longer valid. Since your lawful permanent resident status is not linked to your green card's validity, you won't be deported simply because your green card has expired.
A lawful permanent resident is someone who has been granted the right to live in the United States indefinitely. Permanent residents are given what's known as a “green card,” which is a photo ID card that proves their status. Permanent residents remain the citizen of another country.
If your green card expires, your status does not expire. Thus, failing to renew a green card does not automatically cancel your underlying status and make you subject to removal. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will expect a Form I-90 from you to renew a green card.
You may travel abroad and re-enter the U.S. with an unexpired passport and the unexpired one-year extension notice from the USCIS that you received when you filed your I-751 Petition.
approximately 10-12 months
It's Possible to Apply for Citizenship With an Expired Green Card. A green card is merely evidence of your status. You are still a permanent resident, even if your green card has expired.
Green card renewal applications can be denied if you are no longer eligible for permanent residence. This could have serious consequences including deportation. However, it's important to know that there are multiple steps to processing I-90 applications. Applications can be accepted, rejected, approved and denied.
You'll also find your A-number on the visa stamped in your passport once your application is approved. Once you get your physical green card, your Alien Registration Number (labeled “USCIS#”) will be on both the front and the back of the card.
If you have a permanent resident card (green card), you can find your Alien Registration Number on the front side. (The number is also embedded within the characters on the backside as well.) In the example below, the A-Number is listed as “000-001-001” underneath USCIS#.
The I-94 number is an 11-digit number that is found on the Arrival-Departure Record (Form I-94 or Form I-94A). The nine-digit U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services number listed on the front of Permanent Resident Cards (Form I-551) issued after May 10, 2010, is the same as the Alien Registration Number.
An Alien Registration Number ("A-Number", "Alien Number" or "USCIS Number") is a seven-to-nine-digit number that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services gives to most immigrants who apply to live in the United States. USCIS is a division of the department of homeland security.
Another distinction between the two numbers is that your Alien Registration Number remains permanent, while your case number changes from case to case. This will have a different case number than you had on your green card application, but your A-number will remain the same.
You will need to call 1-800-375-5283 and explain what has happened in your situation. Generally speaking, the people there will be willing to help you locate your receipt number as long as you can provide them with enough information to identify the application.
What is an Alien Registration Number or “A” number? It is a unique seven-, eight- or nine-digit number assigned to a noncitizen. The 9-digit USCIS number listed on permanent resident green cards issued after May 10, 2010, is the same as the A-number. The A-number can also be found on the back of green cards.
All USCIS-issued Permanent Resident cards contain two-year or 10-year expiration dates. However, some documents issued by legacy Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) – such as older versions of the Resident Alien card issued from 1977 to 1989 - do not have expiration dates and may still be valid.
