How to Renovate a Residence Card

Show the immigration officer a valid green card when returning from abroad.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is the federal agency that processes applications for renewing a "Permanent Resident Card," the document that proves you can legally live and work in the United States even though you are not an American citizen. The identification also is commonly known as the "green card." The USCIS accepts applications for renewal over the Internet and by mail. It costs $450 to file the application. Send in your request as early as six months before the card expires.

Instructions

1. Go to the "Renew a Green Card" page on the "U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services" website. Select to apply to renew your residence card online or to print and fill out a paper form. The electronic application process takes you through three steps.

2. Click the hyperlink for e-filing the renewal form. The system takes you to another page that explains the three-step process and provides links to what comes next. Click the "E-filling log-in page" hyperlink.

3. Select "I am a new user" to set up a login account. On the next page, read the privacy policy and check the box acknowledging you understand it. Click "Next." Type your personal information in the boxes provided and create a username and password. Click "Submit."

4. Return to the "E-filling log-in page." Sign into the system with the username and password you made up in the previous step. Complete the electronic application, following the prompts to submit it online. After you successfully file the form, the system displays a list of documents you now have to mail to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

5. Gather the requested personal documents and mail them to Nebraska Service Center, Attn: E-Filed I-90 Application, P.O. Box 87090, Lincoln, NE, 68502-7090. The immigration office processes your application once it receives the supporting paperwork.

6. Attend the mandatory interview with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The agency sends you a notice telling you where to go and when. Take identification with you, such as your driver's license or passport.

7. Download and print the residence card application and instructions from the "U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services" website. Mail the completed form to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, P.O. Box 21262, Phoenix, AZ, 85036. Include a check for $450 payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

References

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services: Instructions for Electronic Filing of Form I-90 (Renew or Replace a Green Card Online)
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services: Renew a Green Card
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services: Instructions for I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card

Resources

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services: I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card