How Long Does Green Card Renewal Take?

Understanding Green Card Renewal Processing Times

As a lawful permanent resident with an expiring green card, monitoring these timelines is essential for maintaining your status and avoiding disruptions to your daily life. Valid proof of your permanent resident status is necessary for continuing to work legally, traveling internationally, and accessing government benefits.

Here’s some good news: USCIS now automatically extends your green card validity for 36 months (three full years) when you file Form I-90. This is a significant improvement from the previous 24-month extension and helps bridge the gap during these increasingly lengthy processing times.

If you’re trying to renew your green card, the immigration attorneys at Alvelo Immigration Legal Solutions, PLLC can help.

What Does the Renewal Process Usually Look Like?

When you begin the renewal process for your 10-year green card, here’s what the journey typically looks like:

1. A receipt notice arrives in your mailbox about 1–3 weeks after filing.
2. Biometrics appointment scheduled approximately 4–6 weeks after filing.
3. The application review period lasts around 6–10 months (the longest part).
4. Card production and delivery take the final 2–4 weeks after approval.

We always recommend our clients start the renewal process at least six months before the current green card expires. This buffer helps prevent any documentation gaps that could complicate your life.

Current Green Card Renewal Timeline: What to Expect

As of September 2024, if your application lands at the Potomac Service Center (which handles a huge chunk of Form I-90 applications), you’re looking at an average wait of 27.5 months. Yes, that’s over two years of checking your mailbox with hopeful anticipation. This is because they’re moving to a location.

But don’t panic just yet. There’s actually some encouraging news hiding in the statistics. The median processing time for Form I-90 applications is just 0.7 months. This means while some folks are waiting for what feels like forever, at least half of the applications zip through the system much faster. It’s a bit like waiting in line at the grocery store—some lines move quickly while others seem frozen in time.

1. Initial Filing and Receipt Notice (1-3 weeks)

After you submit your Form I-90 (online or by mail), USCIS will send you a receipt notice—Form I-797C—within about 1-3 weeks. This little piece of paper is worth its weight in gold.

2. Biometrics Appointment (4-6 weeks after filing)

About a month after filing, you’ll receive a notice for a biometrics appointment. This quick 20-minute session captures your fingerprints, photo, and signature for background checks and your new card. Pro tip: Don’t miss this appointment! Rescheduling can add significant delays. Remember to bring your appointment notice and a government-issued photo ID.

3. Application Review (6-10 months)

This is the marathon portion of your journey. USCIS officers review your application, run background checks, and verify your eligibility. If they need more information, they might send a Request for Evidence (RFE), which can add several more months to your wait time.

4. Card Production and Delivery (2-4 weeks after approval)

Once approved, USCIS will produce your new green card and mail it to you within 2-4 weeks. The moment you’ve been waiting for! All told, the total green card renewal processing time typically ranges from 7-12 months for most applicants, though as we’ve seen, some cases can take considerably longer.

New 36-Month Extension and How It Affects Green Card Renewal Processing Time

Here’s some genuinely good news: In September 2024, USCIS extended the validity period for expired green cards to 36 months (up from 24 months) for lawful permanent residents who file Form I-90. This change was a direct response to the increasingly lengthy processing delays many people have been experiencing.

How Does the Renewal Process Work

When you file Form I-90, your receipt notice automatically extends the validity of your expired green card for 36 months from the expiration date shown on your card. This extension only applies to lawful permanent residents renewing their 10-year green cards.

The combination of your receipt notice and expired green card serves as temporary proof of your status and work authorization. This extension offers several practical benefits:

• For employment verification, employers can accept your expired green card together with the I-90 receipt notice as valid List A documents for Form I-9. This combination remains valid for the full 36 months from your card’s expiration date.
• When it comes to international travel, you can use the receipt notice along with your expired green card for re-entry into the United States. A word of caution, though—some airlines and border officials might not be familiar with this policy. I recommend carrying additional documentation and allowing extra time for processing if you’re planning to travel.
• The extension also ensures continued access to benefits that require proof of lawful permanent resident status, like driver’s license renewal, social security benefits, and healthcare.

Contact Alvelo Immigration Legal Solutions, PLLC for Help Keeping Up With Your Renewal

At Alvelo Immigration Legal Solutions, we’ve seen how this extension helps our clients breathe a little easier. But we also understand that most people would much rather have their permanent card in hand than rely on temporary extensions. Something is reassuring about having that official card in your wallet — and we’re committed to helping you get there as smoothly as possible. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.