GREEN CARD RENEWALS

If you are a lawful Permanent resident/Green Card Holder, the Law Office of Brian T. O’Neill, PC can assist clients through the renewal process.

Green Cards are valid for up to 10 years. Although green cards have expiration dates, the permanent residency status of the person never expires. Once a person has been granted Permanent Residency status, such cannot be removed unless the green card holder voluntarily gives it up or acts in a way that is contrary to the purpose of the green card. It is important to keep the card up to date and could affect your ability to travel or to prove your ability to work in the USA.

In order to keep the card updated, when should a Green Card Renewal be filed?

  • You must file a green card renewal application if you are a Lawful Permanent resident and the card will expire within the next 6 months. A green card renewal cannot be filed more than 6 months in advance.
  • You must immediately file the green card renewal application if you are a Lawful permanent and the card has expired.
  • You should file a green card renewal application if you are a Lawful Permanent Resident who has an older version of the green card (the older version has no expiration dates printed thereon). Although not required to renew the older versions of the card, the USCIS strongly recommends renewal and will request a renewal when returning to the USA after foreign travel.

When should a green card replacement application be filed?

There are times when a lawful Permanent Resident needs to request a Green Card Replacement before the current card expires.

You should go through the green card replacement process if:
  • Your card was lost of stolen
  • Your card was mutilated or destroyed
  • Your card has a mistake listed on the card (i.e. name misspelled)
  • Your card was never received
  • Your name has changed due to marriage, divorce or any other reason
  • You just turned 14 years old and the law required a legal card replacement

What if I am a Conditional Permanent Resident?

If your green card is valid for only 2 years, you are a conditional permanent resident. Conditional residents are required to file to remove the conditional residency within 90 days of the card expiration.

If the conditional residency is based on marriage or investor classification, separate types of filing forms are required.


Call the Law office of Brian T. O’Neill at 617-722-4000 or contact us online. We will gladly answer your questions or schedule a consultation.

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