U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed that it will automatically extend the validity of permanent resident cards (green cards) for lawful permanent residents who have filed Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, for thirty-six months beyond the green card expiration date.
Previously, USCIS had permitted a twenty-four-month extension of green card validity for those with pending I-90 applications. This twelve-month increase (from twenty-four months to thirty-six months) in the automatic extension period is indicative of increasing cycle times at USCIS, particularly for green card renewal applications.
Quick Hits
- Effective September 10, 2024, USCIS has automatically extended the validity of green cards of lawful permanent residents for thirty-six months, provided they have properly filed Form I-90 applications to renew their expiring or expired green cards.
- USCIS has begun printing amended Form I-90 receipt notices reflecting the new thirty-six-month extension language.
- The new Form I-90 receipt notice and the expired green card will be required to demonstrate eligibility for the thirty-six-month extension.
To benefit from this new policy, green card holders must properly file Form I-90 to renew an expiring or expired green card. Applicants who have already received I-90 receipt notices listing a twenty-four-month extension will be sent an amended receipt notice from USCIS containing new language regarding the thirty-six month extension. USCIS started printing these amended receipt notices on September 10, 2024.
To demonstrate work authorization and continued status, green card holders will need: (1) an amended or original receipt notice providing for the thirty-six-month extension, and (2) the expired green card. Those who do not receive an amended I-90 receipt notice containing the new thirty-six-month extension language may wish to consider contacting USCIS to request this notice, if it is urgently required to document status and/or work authorization.
