What is a Permanent Resident Card?
A Permanent Resident Card, frequently referred to as a Green Card, is proof of your status as a legal permanent citizen with a right to live and work permanently in the United States. It likewise is evidence of your registration in accordance with United States immigration laws. The Permanent Resident Card is likewise called Form I-551.
What Does the Law Say?
Area 264 of the Immigration and Nationality Act supplies that, “Every alien in the United States shall be provided a certificate of alien registration or an alien registration invoice card in such type and way and at such time as shall be recommended under policies.”
It also states, “Every alien, eighteen years of age and over, shall at all times carry with him and have in his individual possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration invoice card released to him. Any alien who stops working to comply with [these] arrangements will be guilty of a misdemeanor.”
The particular requirements and treatments for applying to restore an expiring long-term resident card are stated in the Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] at 8 CFR § 264.5.
Who Should Renew a Permanent Resident Card?
You must restore your permanent resident card if you are a long-term resident who was provided a Form I-551 valid for 10 years, and that card is either ended or will end within the next 6 months.
If you are a Conditional Resident and your status is expiring, these guidelines do not relate to you. You are to use Form I-751 (Petition to Remove the Conditions on Residence) to apply to remove the conditions on your long-term resident status.
How Do I Apply to Renew My Permanent Resident Card?
If you are a lawful irreversible resident whose ten-year I-551 has actually expired or will end within the next six months, you might renew your card by filing an Form I-90.
How Can I Find Out the Status of My Application?
Please click here for total directions on checking the status of your application. Or, you might examine the status of your application online at Case Status Online.
If My Application is Denied How Can I Appeal?
You will get a letter that will tell you why the application was rejected if your application for a renewal of your long-term resident card is rejected. You will not be allowed to appeal an unfavorable choice. You might submit a movement to reopen or a movement to reevaluate with the same office that made the undesirable decision. By filing such a motion, you might ask the USCIS office to reconsider or reassess its decision.
A movement to resume need to mention the new truths that are to be offered in the reopened case and should be accompanied by the suitable documentary evidence. A movement to reassess need to develop that the choice to deny your application was based upon an inaccurate application of law or Immigration policy, and even more establish that the decision was incorrect, based upon the proof in the file at the time the choice was made. For more information, please see How Do I Appeal the Denial of Petition or Application?
Can Anyone Help Me?
If guidance is needed, you may call the District Office near your home for a list of organizations who can help you with the preparation and filing of your application.
You might also want to consult an attorney. This law office can help with many visa types:
