Green Card Renewal 2026: Form I-90 Fee, Timeline & 36-Month Extension

Green Card renewal in 2026 uses Form I-90 for a standard 10-year Permanent Resident Card that has expired or will expire within the next six months. Form I-90 is also used to replace a card that was lost, stolen, damaged, never received, or issued with incorrect information.

The current government filing fee is $415 for an online Form I-90 or $465 for a paper application in most fee-paying cases. A lawful permanent resident who properly files Form I-90 to renew an expiring or expired card generally receives a receipt notice extending the card’s validity for 36 months from the expiration date printed on the card.

Expiration of the physical card does not automatically terminate lawful permanent resident status or employment authorization. It can, however, make it difficult to prove status when starting a job, returning from international travel, applying for government benefits or completing other official transactions.

This guide covers the U.S. Permanent Resident Card. It does not apply to Canadian permanent resident cards or temporary U.S. employment authorization documents.

When to use Form I-90

USCIS uses the title Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card for Form I-90, but the form covers both renewals and replacements.

The correct filing reason depends on what happened to the existing card. Selecting the wrong reason can affect the filing fee, supporting evidence and way USCIS processes the application.

Situation	Correct action
A standard 10-year Green Card has expired	File Form I-90 to renew it
A standard 10-year Green Card will expire within six months	File Form I-90 to renew it
The card was lost, stolen or destroyed	File Form I-90 for a replacement
The card is damaged or mutilated	File Form I-90 and follow the instructions about returning the damaged card
The card contains incorrect information	File Form I-90 using the reason that identifies who caused the error
The holder legally changed a name or other biographical information	File Form I-90 with evidence of the legal change
USCIS approved and mailed the card, but it was never received	Check delivery records and determine whether an e-Request or Form I-90 is appropriate
The card was issued before the person turned 14 and the person has reached age 14	Review the specific I-90 re-registration instructions and filing deadline
The resident has an older card without an expiration date	USCIS may require or recommend replacement with a current card using Form I-90

Renewing an expired or expiring 10-year card

A lawful permanent resident with a standard 10-year card should generally file Form I-90 when the card has expired or will expire within the next six months.

The form itself includes the filing reason:

My existing card has already expired or will expire within six months.

The six-month window is important. Filing one year before expiration is not the standard renewal category described in the current USCIS instructions.

A person whose card has already expired can still file Form I-90. The filing does not restore permanent resident status because expiration of the card did not, by itself, terminate that status. It produces a new application for evidence of the existing status.

Replacing a lost or stolen Green Card

A lawful permanent resident who loses a Green Card inside the United States generally files Form I-90 for a replacement. The same rule applies when the card was stolen or destroyed.

A police report is not automatically required in every case, but it may help document a theft and protect the resident if the card is later misused. The applicant should also preserve copies of the lost card, Alien Registration Number and previous USCIS notices whenever available.

A person who loses the card while outside the United States faces a different problem. Form I-90 replaces the card, but it does not necessarily provide the document needed to board transportation back to the United States. That situation may require Form I-131A for carrier documentation.

Replacing a card with incorrect information

The applicant must identify whether the incorrect information resulted from a USCIS error or from information supplied by the applicant.

If USCIS issued a card containing an error that was not caused by the applicant, the replacement may be fee-exempt when all official conditions are met. The applicant must generally return the incorrect card and provide evidence showing the correct information.

If the incorrect information resulted from the application submitted by the resident, the normal filing fee may apply.

Replacing a card after a legal name change

A resident who legally changed a name may use Form I-90 to request a card with the new information.

Supporting evidence may include:

• A marriage certificate.
• A divorce decree restoring a former name.
• A court order approving the legal name change.
• Another official civil document recognized by USCIS.

The name entered on Form I-90 should be consistent with the legal evidence and other identity documents.

Green Card never received

A resident should not immediately submit a paid replacement application simply because the card has not arrived.

First, the applicant should:

1. Check the USCIS case status.
2. Review any U.S. Postal Service tracking number.
3. Confirm that USCIS had the correct mailing address.
4. Determine whether the card was returned to USCIS as undeliverable.
5. Use the USCIS non-delivery inquiry process when eligible.

When the card was mailed to the correct address and returned as undeliverable through no fault of the applicant, a replacement may qualify for a fee exemption. If the resident moved without updating the address or the card was delivered and later lost, a regular replacement filing and fee may be required.

When not to use Form I-90

Form I-90 does not remove the conditions from a two-year conditional Green Card.

A conditional resident may use I-90 to replace a two-year card that was lost, stolen, damaged or issued with an error while the conditional status remains valid. The resident cannot use I-90 to extend or convert the underlying two-year status into permanent 10-year residence.

Type of residence	Purpose	Correct form
Standard lawful permanent residence	Renew an expired or expiring 10-year card	Form I-90
Marriage-based conditional residence	Remove the conditions from the two-year status	Form I-751
EB-5 conditional residence	Remove the investment-related conditions	Form I-829
Conditional card lost or damaged before expiration	Replace the physical card while conditions remain	Form I-90 may be used for replacement

Marriage-based conditional residents

A conditional resident filing Form I-751 jointly with the petitioning spouse generally files during the 90-day period immediately before the second anniversary of obtaining conditional residence.

A person requesting a waiver of the joint filing requirement may follow different timing rules depending on the legal basis. Waivers may be available when the petitioning spouse died, a good-faith marriage ended in divorce or annulment, the resident or a qualifying child experienced battery or extreme cruelty, or termination of status and removal would cause qualifying extreme hardship.

A properly filed I-751 receipt notice currently extends the validity of the expired conditional Green Card for 48 months. That 48-month extension applies to qualifying I-751 cases, not to an ordinary I-90 renewal.

The marriage-based Green Card guide explains how conditional residence arises and why removing conditions is different from renewing a 10-year card.

EB-5 conditional residents

An investor who obtained conditional permanent residence through the EB-5 program uses Form I-829 to remove the conditions.

The petition generally must be filed during the applicable 90-day period before the second anniversary of conditional residence. A qualifying I-829 receipt notice can also extend evidence of conditional resident status for 48 months.

The 48-month I-751 and I-829 rules should not be confused with the 36-month extension associated with eligible I-90 renewal receipts.

How much Green Card renewal costs

According to the USCIS Fee Schedule current in 2026, the general I-90 filing fees are:

Filing method	General I-90 fee
Online filing	$415
Paper filing by mail	$465

The fee includes the biometrics services cost when biometrics are required. USCIS does not offer premium processing for Form I-90.

Before paying, applicants should check the current USCIS Fee Schedule or official fee calculator. Government filing fees can change, and the correct amount may depend on the filing reason.

Fee exemptions for certain filing reasons

Some I-90 reasons may be exempt from the regular filing fee. Examples can include a card containing a USCIS-caused error or a card that was never received when the applicant satisfies the specific non-delivery requirements.

A fee exemption is based on the filing category itself. It is different from requesting a fee waiver because the applicant cannot afford the fee.

Requesting a fee waiver

An applicant who demonstrates an inability to pay may request a fee waiver using Form I-912 or a qualifying written request.

A fee-waiver request must generally be submitted with a paper Form I-90. Most applicants cannot request a Form I-912 fee waiver while filing the underlying application online.

USCIS evaluates fee-waiver eligibility based on current rules and supporting evidence, which may include receipt of a means-tested benefit, household income or financial hardship.

Is there a senior citizen discount?

USCIS does not publish a general I-90 discount based only on age. A senior resident who cannot afford the filing fee may request a fee waiver if the person meets the normal eligibility requirements.

Age should not be confused with fee exemptions connected to a specific filing reason, such as certain re-registration situations after turning 14.

How to file Form I-90 online

Most applicants can submit Form I-90 through a USCIS online account. Online filing offers practical advantages, including electronic confirmation, digital document uploads, account messages and easier access to case updates.

USCIS does not guarantee faster adjudication merely because the application was filed online. The main advantages involve submission and case management rather than a guaranteed shorter decision time.

1. Create or access a USCIS online account

Use the official USCIS online account. The applicant should control the account, email address and multifactor authentication method.

Private preparation companies may charge an additional service fee. Form I-90 can be filed directly with USCIS without purchasing private assistance.

2. Select the correct filing reason

The online form asks why a new card is needed. The answer controls which questions, evidence and fee rules apply.

The applicant should not choose “renewal” when the card was lost or select “USCIS error” without evidence that the agency caused the incorrect information.

3. Enter current personal and immigration information

Form I-90 requests information such as:

• Full legal name.
• Other names used.
• Date and country of birth.
• Alien Registration Number.
• USCIS online account number, when applicable.
• Mailing and physical address.
• Class of admission.
• Date and place permanent residence was granted.
• Information shown on the current card.

Applicants should compare the entries with the existing card, immigrant visa, passport, approval notices and previous USCIS records.

4. Upload supporting evidence

For a normal renewal, the applicant commonly uploads a readable copy of the front and back of the current or expired Green Card.

Other filing reasons can require different evidence, including a legal name-change document, a copy of a government-issued identity document or proof that USCIS created an error.

Digital files should be readable, complete and correctly oriented. USCIS can request originals later.

5. Review the form and pay the fee

Before submission, check:

• The filing reason.
• Names and dates.
• Alien Registration Number.
• Mailing address.
• Uploaded documents.
• Fee amount.
• Electronic signature.

USCIS filing fees are generally nonrefundable. Paying the fee does not guarantee approval.

6. Save the confirmation and receipt information

After filing, download or save the submission confirmation. The USCIS account should later display the receipt number and notices associated with the application.

The receipt number can be used to check the case through the USCIS status system.

How to file Form I-90 by mail

Paper filing remains available. It may also be required when requesting a fee waiver.

The paper package generally includes:

• A completed and signed Form I-90.
• Copies of the evidence required for the filing reason.
• The correct payment or Form I-912 fee-waiver request.
• Any additional documentation required by the current instructions.

Unsigned forms, incorrect fees and applications mailed to an outdated location can be rejected or delayed.

USCIS filing addresses can change. Applicants should check the current Where to File section on the official Form I-90 page immediately before mailing the package. A static Lockbox address copied from an old article should not be relied upon.

Applicants should normally send copies rather than original documents unless USCIS specifically requests an original. It is also prudent to retain a complete copy of the package and proof of delivery.

Documents required for Form I-90

There is no single document list for every I-90 application. The required evidence depends on why the applicant needs a new card.

Filing reason	Common supporting evidence
Expired or expiring 10-year card	Copy of the front and back of the existing card
Lost, stolen or destroyed card	Copy of the card if available and another government-issued identity document
Damaged card	Copy of the card and the original card when required by USCIS instructions
Legal name change	Marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order or other legal evidence
Incorrect USCIS-issued information	Incorrect card and evidence showing the correct information
Card never received	Delivery information, proof of correct address and USCIS notices
Reached age 14	Existing card and evidence requested by the specific re-registration instructions

Documents not written in English generally require a complete English translation accompanied by the translator’s certification.

What happens after filing Form I-90

The process is not identical for every applicant. USCIS may reuse existing biometrics, schedule a new appointment, request evidence or make a decision based on the record already submitted.

The I-90 receipt notice and 36-month extension

USCIS updated Form I-90 renewal receipt notices to extend an expiring or expired Green Card for 36 months from the expiration date printed on the card.

The resident generally presents:

• The expired or expiring Green Card; and
• The original Form I-797 receipt notice containing the extension language.

Together, those documents can provide temporary evidence of lawful permanent resident status during the extension period.

The extension should not be assumed to apply to every I-90 filing reason. A person replacing a card that was lost or stolen cannot present a card that is no longer in the person’s possession. That resident may need temporary evidence such as an ADIT stamp.

Biometrics appointment or biometric reuse

USCIS may schedule an appointment at an Application Support Center to collect fingerprints, a photograph and a signature. The agency may also notify the applicant that it will reuse qualifying biometric information already in its records.

The individual notice controls what must be done. An applicant who receives an appointment notice should attend at the specified date and location or follow the official rescheduling procedure.

It is inaccurate to state that every I-90 applicant must attend a new in-person biometrics appointment.

Request for Evidence

USCIS may issue a Request for Evidence when information is missing, contradictory or insufficient.

The notice identifies:

• The evidence USCIS needs.
• How the response must be submitted.
• The deadline.
• The consequences of failing to respond.

The applicant should rely on the deadline printed on the notice rather than a generic period published online.

Card production and delivery

After approval, USCIS produces the card and mails it to the address in its records. The online case status may provide a U.S. Postal Service tracking number.

A resident who moves while the case is pending should update the address through the official USCIS process. Updating an address with the postal service alone does not necessarily update the USCIS case.

How Long Does Green Card Renewal Take in 2026?

There is no single guaranteed Form I-90 processing time. USCIS processing times change as new cases are completed, and the estimate for one applicant can differ from another applicant’s experience.

For context, USCIS historical processing-time data for FY2026 through May 31, 2026 shows a national median of 8.5 months for Form I-90 cases involving replacement or renewal of a Permanent Resident Card. A median means half of the completed cases in that reporting period finished faster and half took longer. It should not be presented as a promise that a pending case will finish in 8.5 months.

For a pending application, use the current USCIS processing-times tool and your receipt number. The tool can show whether a case is still within the agency’s normal processing range and when a case inquiry may be available.

Processing can be affected by the filing reason, missing or inconsistent evidence, biometrics requirements or reuse, identity and security checks, a Request for Evidence, legal name changes, and card-production or delivery issues.

Can a permanent resident work with an expired Green Card?

Expiration of the physical card does not automatically terminate a lawful permanent resident’s authorization to work.

The Form I-9 rules differ depending on whether the person is an existing employee or is completing employment verification for a new job.

Existing employee

An employer should not reverify a lawful permanent resident solely because the Green Card used for the original Form I-9 later expired.

Reverification is generally not required for an employee whose lawful permanent resident status does not expire. Treating the expiration of the plastic card as expiration of work authorization is incorrect.

New hire or new Form I-9

For a new employment verification, an expired Green Card by itself may not satisfy the normal List A document requirement.

An expired Green Card presented together with a valid Form I-797 extension notice can qualify as temporary evidence during the period stated in the notice.

The employee may also choose to present other acceptable Form I-9 documents. Employers cannot demand a specific document or insist that a lawful permanent resident present a Green Card when other acceptable documents are available.

Residents who need broader information about temporary work documents can review the Employment Authorization Document guide, while remembering that lawful permanent resident employment authorization does not depend on holding an EAD.

Can you travel while Form I-90 is pending?

A pending I-90 does not automatically prohibit international travel. The resident must still possess acceptable evidence for boarding transportation and seeking readmission.

Travel also raises broader issues that are separate from card renewal. A long absence can create questions about abandonment of permanent residence, even when the card and extension notice remain valid.

Situation	Evidence commonly needed
Green Card remains unexpired	Valid Green Card and passport or travel document required by the destination
Green Card expired and qualifying I-90 renewal is pending	Expired card plus the original I-797 receipt notice showing the valid 36-month extension
Card was lost inside the United States	Temporary evidence such as an ADIT stamp may be needed
Card was lost, stolen or destroyed while abroad	Form I-131A carrier documentation may be required before boarding
Resident plans to remain outside the United States for an extended period	A reentry permit and legal advice may be appropriate; I-90 does not protect against abandonment

Travel with an expired card and extension notice

A resident whose I-90 renewal receipt contains the 36-month extension language may generally use the expired card together with the receipt notice as temporary evidence during the extension period.

The traveler should carry the original documents, not only digital photographs. The name, Alien Registration Number and card information should be consistent.

Before traveling, the resident should also check airline requirements and verify that the extension remains valid for the entire return itinerary.

Requesting temporary evidence with an ADIT stamp

A resident who does not possess the physical Green Card or cannot use the card-and-receipt combination may request temporary evidence of lawful permanent resident status.

USCIS may provide an Alien Documentation, Identification and Telecommunication stamp, commonly called an ADIT stamp or temporary I-551 evidence.

The resident can use the official USCIS appointment request system or contact the USCIS Contact Center. USCIS determines whether an in-person appointment is required or whether temporary evidence can be mailed on a Form I-94 with the resident’s photograph.

The old instruction to “schedule an InfoPass appointment” should not be treated as the only current procedure.

Green Card lost while outside the United States

A lawful permanent resident who loses a Green Card or reentry permit abroad may need to apply for carrier documentation using Form I-131A.

Form I-131A can result in a boarding foil or transportation letter that allows an airline or other carrier to transport the resident to a U.S. port of entry. It does not guarantee admission and does not replace the Green Card permanently.

The resident generally still needs Form I-90 to replace the lost card after returning to the United States.

Does an expired Green Card end permanent resident status?

No. The expiration date printed on a standard 10-year card is the expiration of the evidence document, not an automatic termination of lawful permanent resident status.

Permanent resident status can be lost or terminated through other events, including:

• Abandonment of residence.
• A final removal order.
• Rescission of status.
• Voluntary abandonment using the appropriate procedure.
• Naturalization as a U.S. citizen.

If you plan to pursue citizenship instead of renewing your card, see our N-400 naturalization guide for eligibility and process.

Simply allowing the card to expire is not the same as any of those events. Nevertheless, federal law requires permanent residents to maintain appropriate evidence of registration, and an expired card can create serious practical problems.

Common Form I-90 mistakes

• Using I-90 for a two-year conditional renewal: conditions must normally be removed with I-751 or I-829.
• Using the old 48-month rule for I-90: qualifying I-90 renewal receipts use a 36-month extension.
• Filing a year before expiration: the normal renewal reason applies when the card is expired or will expire within six months.
• Selecting the wrong filing reason: renewal, loss, USCIS error and legal name change have different evidence and fee rules.
• Assuming every case needs biometrics: USCIS may schedule an appointment or reuse existing biometrics.
• Believing online filing guarantees faster approval: it simplifies submission but does not promise faster adjudication.
• Mailing the application to an old address: always check the current USCIS filing instructions.
• Paying a private website instead of USCIS: preparation fees are separate from government fees.
• Ignoring an address change: USCIS must have the correct mailing address while the application is pending.
• Traveling without acceptable temporary evidence: a pending I-90 receipt alone may not be enough when the physical card is missing.
• Assuming the expired card ends work authorization: lawful permanent resident employment authorization does not expire merely because the card does.
• Publishing or relying on fixed processing times: use the official USCIS tool and current inquiry date.

Green Card renewal and other immigration processes

Form I-90 only renews or replaces evidence of an existing permanent resident status. It does not create a new basis for obtaining residence, remove conditions or change an immigration category.

A person seeking permanent residence for the first time should review the ways to obtain a U.S. Green Card.

Applicants applying from inside the United States may need the Form I-485 adjustment of status process. Applicants completing the case through an embassy generally use immigrant visa consular processing.

Employment-based applicants considering self-petition options can consult the EB-1A and EB-2 NIW Green Card guide.

Before submitting Form I-90, confirm that the card is a standard 10-year Permanent Resident Card, select the filing reason that matches the actual situation and calculate the fee through USCIS. A correct filing can provide a 36-month extension for an eligible renewal, while a resident who lacks the physical card may need separate temporary evidence for employment or international travel.