Your 10-year permanent resident card (the "green card") expires, but your permanent residence does not. Even so, keeping a valid card matters: it is your proof of status for work, for traveling and returning to the United States, and for many everyday tasks. To renew or replace it, you use Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card.
This article walks through, in general terms, who uses Form I-90 and who does not, when to file, what it costs in 2026, what the receipt does while you wait, and which documents people typically gather. Every case is different, so questions about your own situation belong with a licensed immigration attorney.
Who uses Form I-90?
Form I-90 is for permanent residents who need a new card. According to the Form I-90 instructions, the most common reasons are:
- Your 10-year card has expired or will expire within the next 6 months (renewal).
- The card was lost, stolen or damaged.
- You legally changed your name or other biographic information after receiving it.
- The card was issued with an error in your information.
- USCIS issued the card but you never received it.
- You turned 14 and your card was issued before that age (unless it expires before you turn 16).
If you are renewing because your card is about to expire, wait until you are within 6 months of the expiration date. USCIS notes that an application filed for this reason may be denied if the card does not expire within that window.
Who should NOT use Form I-90? Conditional residents
If your card is valid for 2 years, you are a conditional resident (for example, through a marriage that was less than two years old when you became a resident, or through investment). That card is not "renewed": you ask to remove the conditions with Form I-751 (marriage) or Form I-829 (investors), usually within the 90 days before it expires. Under the USCIS Policy Manual, if a conditional resident files Form I-90 within those 90 days, USCIS denies it and tells the applicant to file the correct petition.
Conditional residents do use Form I-90 in other situations, such as a lost, stolen or incorrect card, but not to extend a 2-year card.
2026 costs (current Form G-1055)
These figures come from the official USCIS G-1055 fee schedule:
| Situation | Form I-90 fee |
|---|---|
| Renewal or replacement (general case) | $465 paper / $415 online |
| Card issued but never received (returned to USCIS as undeliverable) | $0 |
| Card with an error made by USCIS | $0 |
The current schedule does not charge a separate biometrics fee for Form I-90. Some people can request a fee waiver on Form I-912, but then Form I-90 must be filed on paper: USCIS does not accept an online I-90 with a fee waiver request. Fees change, so check the current amount on the official site before you pay.
The receipt extends your card for 36 months
Since September 10, 2024, the Form I-90 receipt notice (Form I-797C) for a renewal extends your card's validity for 36 months past the expiration date printed on it, according to the official USCIS alert. It used to be 24 months, and 12 before that, so check what your own receipt says.
- The receipt together with your expired card serves as proof of status, of permission to work (for example, for your employer's Form I-9) and to return to the U.S. after temporary travel.
- The receipt is not an approval: it only confirms that USCIS accepted your application.
- If your case is still pending when that extension runs out, or if you lost your card and need proof of status, you can call the USCIS Contact Center to request an appointment at a local office. USCIS decides whether to give you a temporary stamp in your passport (an ADIT or I-551 stamp) and for how long.
The process, step by step
- Check your card: confirm whether it is a 10-year or a 2-year card and when it expires.
- Choose how to file: online with a USCIS account (cheaper) or on paper with the current edition of the form.
- Gather your documents (see the list below).
- File and pay. Keep the I-797C receipt somewhere safe.
- Biometrics appointment: USCIS may schedule you for fingerprints, photo and signature, or reuse the ones it already has. If you get an appointment, don't miss it.
- Follow up: check your case status online and keep your address current with USCIS (Form AR-11) so the new card reaches you.
Processing times vary and can take several months. Check the official USCIS processing times tool for the current estimate.
Documents people typically gather
- A copy of your current green card (front and back), if you have it.
- If it was lost or stolen: a government-issued photo ID (for example, a passport or driver's license). A police report is not required, but it can help if the card was stolen.
- If you changed your name: the legal document showing the change (marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order).
- If the card has an error: the original card and proof of the correct information.
- Certified English translations of any document in another language.
Before you file: two precautions
Renewing your card means a new background check. If you have had arrests, charges or convictions since becoming a resident, or have spent long periods outside the United States, talk to a licensed immigration attorney before filing Form I-90.
If you lost your card while outside the United States, Form I-90 is not the first step: you usually request a document that lets you board your flight home with Form I-131A, filed at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Once you are back in the country, you file Form I-90 to replace the card.
Renew the card or apply for citizenship?
Many people who need to renew their green card have already met the residence time for citizenship (generally 5 years, or 3 if married to and living with a U.S. citizen). Becoming a citizen means no more card renewals. Keep in mind that while a citizenship application is pending, you still need valid proof of residence to work or travel, so some people file both. If you are unsure which makes sense for you, we recommend speaking with a licensed immigration attorney.
Frequently asked questions
Do I lose my residence if my green card expires?
No. Permanent residence does not expire with the card. But without a valid card (or the receipt that extends it) you may have trouble proving your status at work or when returning from a trip, so it is best to renew on time.
How much does it cost to renew a green card in 2026?
Under the current G-1055 schedule, $465 on paper or $415 online, with no separate biometrics charge. There is no fee if the card never reached you and was returned to USCIS, or if the error on the card was USCIS's.
When can I file for renewal?
When your 10-year card will expire within the next 6 months or has already expired.
Can I travel while I wait for the new card?
The I-90 receipt together with your expired card lets you return to the U.S. after temporary travel. If your situation has complications (long trips, a record), talk to a licensed attorney first.
I have a 2-year green card. Do I use Form I-90?
Not to extend it. Conditional residents ask to remove conditions with Form I-751 or I-829 within the 90 days before the card expires.
Ready to get your documents in order?
At USA FILE Solutions we prepare your Form I-90 with the information you provide, check that it is complete, organize your documents and translations, and help you follow up on your receipt. We are not a law firm; if you have legal questions about your case, we recommend speaking with a licensed immigration attorney. Contact us to schedule a call with our team.