McBean Immigration Law > Green Card > What Happens if My Green Card Expires While I Wait for Citizenship?
If your green card expires while you’re waiting for citizenship, it’s important to understand the implications and take appropriate action. While an expired green card is not cause for deportation, you might run into problems with travel, employment, and other essentials.
LaToya McBean Pompy is an immigration lawyer who immigrated to the United States from Jamaica. Her experience sparked an interest in helping many families be together in the U.S. by founding McBean Law. If you need help with your or a loved one’s visa, contact us here or call us today at (888)-462-4006 to schedule a private consultation with LaToya and her team of New York immigration lawyers who are here to help you.
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Under U.S. immigration law, you will need a valid green card in order to apply for citizenship through naturalization. You’ll need to be a green card holder for five years in order to apply for citizenship in this way, except if you are a marriage-based green card holder, in which case the requirement is three years.
Our team at McBean Law has created a short, free guide to Green Card Expiration that our readers can download and read.
Even if your green card expires, you generally maintain your lawful permanent resident (LPR) status.
Once you file Form N-400, the receipt notice for it along with your expired green card will be valid evidence of your unexpired lawful permanent resident status.
However, it’s crucial to renew your green card as soon as possible to avoid any potential issues.
An expired green card might cause difficulties when traveling internationally or re-entering the United States. If you need to travel outside the U.S., it’s advisable to file Form I-90 as its application receipt can be used for reentry along with your expired green card.
The expiration of your green card generally doesn’t affect your eligibility to apply for U.S. citizenship (naturalization). However, ensure that you meet all the requirements for naturalization, including continuous residency and good moral character, during the application process.
A recent USCIS update announced that the validity of green cards will automatically be extended by 24 months for those who apply for naturalization through Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, on or after December 12, 2022.
You should apply to renew your green card by filing Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, if your green card has been expired for longer than 24 months, or if you applied for naturalization prior to December 12, 2022.
In addition, you will need to file this form if you have lost your green card prior to applying for naturalization, or if it has been destroyed in some way, regardless of the N-400 filing date.
If you’re not sure if you need to replace your green card, consult with the USCIS guidelines.
It is very important to note that Form I-90 only applies to 10-year green cards. If you are a conditional permanent resident, you will need to file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence. If this is filed on or after January 25, 2023, your green card will automatically be extended by 48 months.
The Form I-751 receipt provides proof of permanent resident status along with your expired green card.
USCIS recently updated their fees starting with April 1, 2024. Through March 31, 2024, the old fees will still apply.
The naturalization application fee is $725.00 through March 31, 2024. As of April 1, 2024, the fee will be $710.00 for online applications, and $760.00 for paper or mail applications.
This fee is a frequent barrier for many legal permanent residents, and USCIS does offer a fee waiver program for low-income applicants living below 200% of the FPG, Federal Poverty Guidelines.
The New Americans Campaign offers a fee calculator reflecting the cost of citizenship applications through March 31, 2024. As of April 1, 2024, the fee for applicants with household incomes between 150% and 400% of the FPG, provided they meet the USCIS criteria, will need to pay $380.00 to file Form N-400.
Whether you are seeking assistance with visa applications, green cards, citizenship, or any other immigration matter, we are here to help you every step of the way. Our mission is not just to provide legal services but to empower our clients with the knowledge and resources they need to achieve their immigration goals. With proper legal counsel, persistent preparation, and meticulous attention to detail, your success can become reality too. Partner with professionals like McBean Law to chart your visa journey’s triumph.
If you are interested in more topics like this, please consider subscribing to our newsletter to get weekly updates on immigration news, relevant topics, and more! You can also find us on YouTube where we do weekly Q&A sessions.
LaToya McBean Pompy is an immigration lawyer who immigrated to the United States from Jamaica. Her experience sparked an interest in helping many families be together in the U.S. by founding McBean Law. If you need help with your or a loved one’s visa, contact us here or call us today at (888)-462-4006 to schedule a private consultation with LaToya and her team of New York immigration lawyers who are here to help you.
