Renew Green Card – Form I-90 Step by Step (2026)

Your Green Card expiring? Form I-90 is the application for its renewal/replacement. Cards are valid for 10 years (or 2 years for conditional GC after marriage). Apply no later than 6 months before expiration.

Who Must File I-90

• Your Green Card is expiring or has expired
• The card was lost/stolen/damaged
• The card contains errors (typos in the name, incorrect date of birth)
• You received a Green Card when under 14 years old – replacement after turning 14
• Status as a conditional permanent resident (2-year card) – NOTE: THIS IS A DIFFERENT FORM, not I-90! Here you use Form I-751.
• Your name has changed (marriage, divorce, court order)

I-90 vs I-751 – KEY DIFFERENCE

MISTAKE #1: Many conditional GC holders file I-90 instead of I-751. This results in loss of status! Check your card type (on the back: "Card Expires" date – if it's a 2-year card after marriage to a USC, it is CONDITIONAL → I-751).

Costs (2026)

• Form I-90: $540 ($455 fee + $85 biometrics)
• Online filing: $415 (discount if filed online)
• Form I-751 (conditional removal): $750 ($595 fee + $85 biometrics + $70 – check current amounts)
• Attorney: not required for simple renewal, ~$500-1500 if complicated (name change + replacement)

When to File

• 10-year GC: no earlier than 6 months before expiration
• Lost/stolen: immediately
• Conditional GC (2-year): within 90 days before expiration, but this applies to I-751 NOT I-90

How to File I-90 – Step by Step

1. USCIS online account – my.uscis.gov (free)
2. Complete Form I-90 – online (preferred) or PDF
3. Attach documents:
   • Copy of both sides of your current Green Card (or explanation of why it is missing)
   • Copy of your passport (photo + visa/stamp if applicable)
   • Proof of name change (if applicable): marriage certificate, court order, divorce decree
4. Pay $540 – card or ACH when filing online
5. Receipt Notice (Form I-797) – arrives in 2-4 weeks
6. ADIT stamp – if you need proof of status, go to a USCIS field office for a stamp in your passport valid for 1 year
7. Biometrics – 1-3 months after filing
8. Decision + new card – 8-18 months later

Proof of Status During Waiting Period

Your old card has expired and the new one hasn't arrived? Receipt Notice (I-797) from I-90 extends the validity of the old GC by 24 months. You show it along with the old card as proof of status – to employers (I-9 verification), banks, airports.

If I-90 takes longer than 24 months – you need an ADIT stamp (Alien Documentation, Identification and Telecommunication). Schedule an appointment at your local USCIS field office, and you will receive a stamp in your passport valid for 1 year.

How Long It Takes (2026)

• Standard renewal: 8-14 months in most field offices
• Lost/stolen: 10-18 months
• Name change: 12-18 months
• Fastest offices: Chicago (8-10 months), Detroit (8-12 months)
• Slowest: San Francisco (16-22 months), Newark (14-18 months)

Common Mistakes

1. Filing I-90 instead of I-751 for conditional GC (loss of status)
2. Filing too early (more than 6 months before expiry) – USCIS may reject
3. Filing too late – expired card = issues with work, travel
4. Outdated address – letter with ADIT stamp and the new card return as undeliverable
5. Not including both sides of Green Card in the scan
6. Not reporting address change – required Form AR-11 within 10 days of moving (online: uscis.gov/ar-11)
7. Entering incorrect A-number (Alien Registration Number)

Traveling Abroad with Expired GC

DO NOT TRAVEL without a valid GC or without an ADIT stamp! Airlines will not allow you to board a flight back to the USA. What you have:

• Expired GC + I-797 Receipt (24 months validity): OK – most airlines accept
• Expired GC without I-797: RISKY – there may be boarding issues
• Lost GC + no ADIT: DO NOT TRAVEL – you will face difficulties returning

Safest: wait for the ADIT stamp in your passport before planning travel.

What If I-90 Is Denied

• You will receive an RFE (Request for Evidence) – you have 87 days to supplement
• Or a NOID (Notice of Intent to Deny) – 33 days to respond
• You can file Form I-290B (Motion to Reopen/Reconsider) within 33 days
• Or you start the process over

Official Links

• USCIS – Form I-90
• USCIS – Replace Your Green Card
• USCIS Online Account
• USCIS Processing Times

Related: [[how-uscis-works-guide-for-immigrants]] · [[how-to-check-uscis-case-status]] · [[most-common-ways-to-get-green-card]]