How Long Does it Take to Renew Green Card?

How Long Does it Take to Renew a Green Card?

When you enter the United States, you become responsible for adhering to specific regulations, and when the time comes, you will need to know how to renew your Green Card. Generally, how long this process takes depends on whether the individual carries a permanent resident card or a conditional resident card.

A Permanent Resident Card is green in color, which earned it the name Green Card. A Green Card gives the holder the ability to work and live in the U.S. How a Green Card is obtained depends on the individual applicant’s circumstances.

If you have questions or concerns about your Green Card status or the renewal process, you should reach out to a sympathetic and knowledgeable Atlanta attorney like Manji Law, P.C. He can provide legal advice as you apply for renewal after your green card expired.

How Do You Apply for Residency?

The applicant must meet eligibility requirements to get a Green Card. The following are a few scenarios in which an applicant and their family can apply for residency:

• Spouse, a child under age 21, or parent of a U.S. citizen
• Fiancé of a citizen
• Abused parent, spouse, or child of a lawful citizen
• First preference immigrant, meaning they have an unmatched ability or are top of their field
• Second preference immigrant, meaning they have an advanced degree
• Third preference immigrant, meaning a skilled worker
• Doctor who will work in a clinic full-time in an at-need area
• Investor who has invested at least $1 million in a U.S. business

The circumstances of the Green Card holder dictates the application processing time, as well as other key factors. A Georgia immigration lawyer can help you navigate the complex issues that will keep you in compliance with citizenship and immigration services if you are a lawful permanent resident.

How Long it Takes to Renew a Green Card After Biometrics Appointment Notice?

There are several questions you should answer before you even begin the application process, including, “Do I meet eligibility requirements?” The laws surrounding U.S. immigration allow people to apply for Green Cards through many avenues.

One way is to be sponsored. Most applicants will be required to fill out two forms: a petition and an application, which is Form I-485. Typically, another person – like a future employer – will have to petition on your behalf, but you can sometimes personally fill out your petition. You will also have to complete a Green Card renewal application every 10 years.

Biometrics is one step in the process of getting or renewing your card. At the biometrics appointment, they take your fingerprints and your photo to confirm your identity. Typically, within about two weeks after your Green Card renewal application is received, you will get a receipt notice with your biometrics appointment time.

When the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) receives your green card renewal paperwork, it can take 1.5 months through 12 months for processing. The general time is usually between 10 to 12 months, but it can take longer.

What Is the Green Card Waiting Time?

The waiting time to renew your Green Card will depend on where you live, the USCIS office who will be processing your paperwork, and their workload. Some offices are known to be quick and have a faster turnaround, while others take longer. This is often because they are busier. Although it is difficult, it’s necessary to be patient when waiting for a decision. While you wait, you can track the progress of your application on USCIS’s case status page.

Many people wonder whether they can travel while they await the decision regarding their Green Card renewal. The answer is that if they have submitted a USCIS Form I-131, they will be able to travel outside the United States.

However, suppose they are traveling outside the United States with an expired Green Card. In that case, they are considered by USCIS to have technically abandoned the visa status upon which they entered the United States. They will have difficulty reentering the country until the application is approved or denied.

In some cases, the U.S. government can deny your application to renew your Green Card or replace your Permanent Resident Card. That can occur for several reasons, including committing a crime, submitting the wrong forms, or if you have lied on your application. If your application to renew your Green Card is denied, you can request the USCIS to reconsider their decision or reach out to a competent immigration lawyer who can help you.

If you are unable to replace your Permanent Resident Card, need help with the Department of Homeland Security or USCIS, or plan to travel abroad while awaiting a status update, it’s a good idea to consult with an experienced attorney. Contact us today!