Living Abroad

How to Renew a Green Card: Form I-90 Explained

5 min read

In this guide
  1. When do you need to renew a green card?
  2. How do you file Form I-90?
  3. What proves your status while you wait?
  4. What if you are outside the United States?
  5. How do you check your I-90 status?
  6. What happens if USCIS denies your application?
  7. Common mistakes when you renew a green card
  8. FAQ
    1. Does my permanent resident status end when the card expires?
    2. Can I file Form I-90 online?
    3. Can I appeal a denial?
    4. What if my card has the wrong name on it?
  9. Key takeaways
  10. Related guides
  11. Sources

Quick answer: To renew a green card, you file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, with USCIS. You can file online or by mail. USCIS says you must replace your card if it has expired or will expire within six months, and also if it was lost, stolen or damaged, or if it contains wrong information.

A green card is not the same thing as your status. Your status as a permanent resident does not run out when the plastic card does, but the card is the document you show employers, airlines and border officers. That is why an expired card causes real problems, and why it is worth knowing exactly when to file. Everything below comes from USCIS pages, and the form itself and the current fee are on USCIS’s Form I-90 page.

When do you need to renew a green card?

USCIS lists the situations in which a lawful permanent resident must replace the card. In short, you must file Form I-90 if any of these apply:

Situation What USCIS says
Card expired or expiring It has expired or will expire within the next six months
Lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed You must replace it
Issued before age 14 You must replace it after your 14th birthday, unless the card expires before your 16th birthday
Commuter status changed You became a commuter, or stopped being one and now live in the US
Old card version AR-3, AR-103 or I-151 cards are no longer valid and must be replaced
Wrong information The card has incorrect details
Legal name or biographic change You changed your name or other details since the card was issued
Never received The card USCIS issued never reached you

How do you file Form I-90?

You can file Form I-90 online or by mail. USCIS says that filing online lets you use a computer, phone or tablet, see when USCIS receives the application, get online updates and communicate with USCIS directly. If the application is approved, USCIS mails you a new card.

  1. Check that you are filing for a reason on the list above.
  2. Open the Form I-90 page on USCIS and confirm the current edition date and filing fee. Using an old edition can lead to rejection.
  3. File online, or mail the form to the address shown for your situation.
  4. Keep your receipt notice. If USCIS decides you need biometrics, it mails a separate appointment notice.

Do not use Form I-90 if you are a conditional resident trying to remove conditions. USCIS says those applicants file Form I-751 instead, and that conditional residents can use Form I-90 only for a lost, stolen or damaged card, wrong information, a legal name change or a card they never received.

What proves your status while you wait?

If you are renewing, USCIS says your Form I-90 receipt notice, together with your expired card, is evidence of lawful permanent resident status for 36 months from the expiration date on the card. The notice says you remain authorized to work and travel. If you no longer have your card at all, USCIS may issue an ADIT stamp after you file.

If you are asked about the receipt notice for Form I-9 purposes, USCIS gives a phone line for questions at 888-897-7781. Our guide to Form I-9 for employees explains what employers can ask for.

What if you are outside the United States?

USCIS says that if your green card will expire within six months while you are abroad, and you will return within one year of leaving and before the card expires, you should file Form I-90 as soon as you return. If you will stay away for a year or more, a different document may be needed. Read about the reentry permit for green card holders before you leave.

How do you check your I-90 status?

You can check your case status online. USCIS asks you to wait 72 hours after filing. You can also call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283, and you will need your name, date of birth, receipt number and A-Number ready.

What happens if USCIS denies your application?

USCIS sends a letter explaining the decision. You cannot appeal a denial of Form I-90. You may instead file a motion to reopen, which needs new facts and evidence, or a motion to reconsider, which must show USCIS applied the law or policy incorrectly or that the decision was wrong on the evidence in your file. Both go to the office that made the decision.

Common mistakes when you renew a green card

  • Waiting until the card has expired. The six-month window exists so you can file early.
  • Filing the wrong form. Conditional residents removing conditions need Form I-751, not Form I-90.
  • Using an old form edition. USCIS may reject forms from the wrong edition.
  • Forgetting to update your address. If you move while the case is pending, update it through your USCIS online account. See our guide to the USCIS change of address rule.

FAQ

Does my permanent resident status end when the card expires?

USCIS treats the card as evidence of your status. The pages used for this guide say you must replace an expiring card, and that the receipt notice with the expired card proves status for 36 months from the expiration date.

Can I file Form I-90 online?

Yes. USCIS offers online filing and says you can track your application and communicate with USCIS through your account.

Can I appeal a denial?

No. USCIS says you cannot appeal, but you can file a motion to reopen or a motion to reconsider.

What if my card has the wrong name on it?

If the information is wrong, you must replace the card. USCIS’s separate EAD guidance explains that a USCIS error is corrected at no extra cost, but check the I-90 page for what applies to a green card.

Key takeaways

  • File Form I-90 if your green card has expired, will expire within six months, is lost or damaged, or has wrong details.
  • The I-90 receipt notice plus your expired card proves status for 36 months from the expiration date.
  • Conditional residents removing conditions use Form I-751.
  • A denial cannot be appealed, but a motion to reopen or reconsider is possible.

This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm everything on the official USCIS site. Last updated: October 2026.

Sources

USCIS: Replace Your Green Card; USCIS: Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card.

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