What is a Permanent Resident Card?
A Permanent Resident Card, commonly known as a Green Card, is proof of your status as a legal long-term resident with a right to live and work completely in the United States. It likewise is proof of your registration in accordance with United States immigration laws. The Permanent Resident Card is likewise called Form I-551.
What Does the Law Say?
Section 264 of the Immigration and Nationality Act supplies that, “Every alien in the United States will be provided a certificate of alien registration or an alien registration receipt card in such form and manner and at such time as shall be prescribed under regulations.”
It also mentions, “Every alien, eighteen years of age and over, will at all times bring with him and have in his personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card released to him. Any alien who stops working to abide by [these] provisions shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.”
The specific requirements and procedures for using to restore an expiring long-term resident card are set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] at 8 CFR § 264.5.
Who Should Renew a Permanent Resident Card?
You must restore your long-term resident card if you are a long-term local who was issued a Form I-551 valid for ten years, which card is either expired or will expire within the next six months.
If you are a Conditional Resident and your status is ending, these guidelines do not pertain to you. You are to use Form I-751 (Petition to Remove the Conditions on Residence) to use to eliminate the conditions on your irreversible resident status.
How Do I Apply to Renew My Permanent Resident Card?
You might restore your card by submitting an Form I-90 if you are a legal long-term resident whose ten-year I-551 has actually expired or will end within the next six months.
How Can I Find Out the Status of My Application?
You might call the USCIS National Customer Service Center (NCSC) at 1-800-375-5283 if you have immigration-related concerns. You need to be prepared to supply the USCIS staff with particular information about your application, such as your receipt number, Alien Registration Number, name, and date of birth. Please click here for total guidelines on examining the status of your application. Or, you may examine the status of your application online at Case Status Online. Please bear in mind that an E-Filed invoice number might not be offered through Case Status Online for 72 hours.
If My Application is Denied How Can I Appeal?
If your application for a renewal of your irreversible resident card is rejected, you will get a letter that will tell you why the application was rejected. By filing such a motion, you may ask the USCIS office to reexamine or reconsider its decision.
A motion to reopen need to specify the brand-new truths that are to be offered in the resumed case and should be accompanied by the appropriate documentary proof. A motion to reevaluate need to develop that the decision to reject your application was based on an inaccurate application of law or Immigration policy, and even more establish that the decision was incorrect, based upon the proof in the file at the time the decision was made. For more information, please see How Do I Appeal the Denial of Petition or Application?
Can Anyone Help Me?
If advice is required, you may get in touch with the District Office near your home for a list of companies who can assist you with the preparation and filing of your application.
You might also want to contact an attorney. This law office can help with many visa types: