What is a Permanent Resident Card?
A Permanent Resident Card, commonly called a Green Card, is evidence of your status as a lawful long-term resident with a right to live and work completely in the United States. It likewise is evidence of your registration in accordance with United States migration laws. The Permanent Resident Card is likewise called Form I-551.
What Does the Law Say?
Area 264 of the Immigration and Nationality Act offers that, “Every alien in the United States will be provided a certificate of alien registration or an alien registration receipt card in such type and way and at such time as shall be prescribed under policies.”
It likewise mentions, “Every alien, eighteen years of age and over, will at all times bring with him and have in his personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration invoice card issued to him. Any alien who stops working to abide by [these] arrangements will be guilty of a misdemeanor.”
The particular requirements and treatments for applying to renew an expiring long-term resident card are set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] at 8 CFR § 264.5.
Who Should Renew a Permanent Resident Card?
You must renew your permanent resident card if you are a permanent citizen who was provided a Form I-551 legitimate for 10 years, which card is either ended or will end within the next 6 months.
If you are a Conditional Resident and your status is ending, these instructions do not refer to you. You are to use Form I-751 (Petition to Remove the Conditions on Residence) to apply to eliminate the conditions on your permanent resident status.
How Do I Apply to Renew My Permanent Resident Card?
If you are a lawful permanent homeowner whose ten-year I-551 has actually expired or will end within the next 6 months, you may renew your card by filing an Form I-90.
How Can I Find Out the Status of My Application?
Please click here for total guidelines on checking the status of your application. Or, you may check the status of your application online at Case Status Online.
If My Application is Denied How Can I Appeal?
If your application for a renewal of your long-term resident card is denied, you will get a letter that will inform you why the application was denied. By filing such a motion, you may ask the USCIS office to reexamine or reevaluate its decision.
A motion to resume must specify the new facts that are to be provided in the resumed proceeding and should be accompanied by the proper documentary proof. A movement to reconsider must develop that the decision to reject your application was based upon an incorrect application of law or Immigration policy, and further develop that the decision was incorrect, based upon the proof in the file at the time the choice was made. For additional information, please see How Do I Appeal the Denial of Petition or Application?
Can Anyone Help Me?
If suggestions is needed, you may get in touch with the District Office near your home for a list of companies who can assist you with the preparation and filing of your application.
You might also want to contact an immigration attorney. This one can help with several visa types: