Extended Green Card Validity: A New Relief for Lawful Permanent Residents
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a significant update for lawful permanent residents seeking to renew their Green Cards. Effective from September 10, 2024, the validity of Permanent Resident Cards, commonly known as Green Cards, has been extended to 36 months for applicants filing Form I-90. This extension aims to alleviate concerns and provide extra time for those awaiting their renewed cards.
Duration of the Renewal Process
Typically, the process to renew a Green Card ranges from 7 to 12 months. Processing times can vary based on factors like workload at the specific USCIS field office handling your application. Previously, Form I-90 receipt notices granted a 24-month extension of the card’s validity; the new policy extends this period by an additional 12 months.
Benefits of the Extended Validity
Green Card holders are authorized to travel in and out of the United States but must not stay abroad for over one year. Exceeding this limit can result in expiration and necessitate reapplication. Under the new policy, an expired Green Card along with a notice of extension serves as valid proof of legal status and employment authorization within the U.S.
For individuals who have lost their Green Cards and need proof of lawful permanent resident status, USCIS advises scheduling an appointment through the USCIS Contact Center after filing Form I-90. The agency may issue an Alien Documentation, Identification, and Telecommunications (ADIT) stamp as temporary proof of status.
When to Renew Your Green Card
The appropriate time to renew your Permanent Resident Card depends on its expiration date:
- 10-Year Valid Cards: Renew if your card is expired or will expire within six months.
- 36-Month Valid Cards: Applicable for conditional residents since September 10, 2024. These individuals should file a petition to remove conditions up to 90 days before expiry.
- Non-Expiration Date Cards: Older versions lacking an expiration date are likely invalid. USCIS recommends renewal under these circumstances.
If your petition is successful, you will receive a new 10-year valid card without needing to file Form I-90 again.
To ensure effective search engine optimization (SEO), focus on relevant keywords like “Green Card renewal” and “USCIS extends validity.” These keywords can help your article rank higher in search engine results.
Waiting Periods for Green Card Holders
The extension aims to mitigate long processing times, but the overall process remains slow for many candidates. According to a report by the Cato Institute, only about 3% of applicants are expected to secure a green card in the US this year. The demand is overwhelming, with 34.7 million applications queued for the 2024 fiscal year. Comparatively, only about 10 million people applied in 1996. The US government plans to approve roughly 1.1 million green card applications this year, leaving many applicants waiting.
Who is on the Waiting List for Green Cards?
A significant proportion of applicants are of Asian descent, with Indian Americans representing a large segment. Many applicants hold advanced degrees and are vital contributors in sectors such as technology, medicine, and academia. According to USCIS data, over one million Indians are waiting for their green cards, facing wait times extending decades due to an annual limit of 140,000 employment-based green cards and a 7% per-country cap. This backlog affects not only the applicants but also their families, delaying permanent residency and citizenship.
Current Green Card Holders
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) estimated that in 2022 there were 12.9 million green card holders residing in the US. Of these, 9.2 million were eligible for citizenship; however, many remain stuck due to long wait times and processing delays. Although admissions slowed during the COVID-19 pandemic, over one million new green card holders were admitted in 2022, with numbers expected to rise.
A study by the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP) revealed that over 1.2 million Indians await approval in top employment-based green card categories. These applicants primarily work in high-demand fields like technology, medicine, and academia but often experience years-long delays due to per-country limits. The 7% cap disproportionately affects countries like India with large pools of skilled professionals. Without legislative intervention, it could take nearly two centuries to clear the backlog.
