Replacing Your Green Card: What To Expect

A green card is a crucial document for anyone who wants to live permanently in the United States. It is a form of identification that allows you to work and travel within the country without any restrictions. However, accidents happen, and your green card may get lost, stolen, or expired. When that happens, you need to replace your green card as soon as possible to avoid legal problems. This article discusses a few things you should expect when replacing your green card.

Rules and Eligibility Criteria

There are specific rules and eligibility criteria that you have to fulfill to apply for a replacement green card. First, you must have been a green card holder for a specific period, which depends on various circumstances, such as marriage to a US citizen, employment, or refugee status.

Secondly, you need a valid reason for replacing your green card, such as theft, loss, or expiry. Lastly, you need proof of your identity and legal status in the United States. Thus, before applying for a replacement, you have to check your eligibility criteria and gather all the necessary documents.

Application Process

Once you have checked your eligibility, the next step is to apply for a replacement green card. The application process is different from the first-time application process, and the forms you need to fill out differ as well. You need to complete Form I-90, which is the Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card.

While the process may seem simple, a single mistake or error can delay your application or even make it invalid. Therefore, you need to ensure you complete the forms correctly and attach all the required documents.

After submitting the application, you will have to wait for a while to receive a notice of receipt and an appointment for biometrics. As such, you should start the process early to avoid any legal complications or delays.

Processing Time

The processing time for replacing a green card varies and can take a few months to complete. Generally, the processing time depends on many factors, such as your application's accuracy and the system's current backlogs. Thus, it is difficult to predict the exact processing time.

But you need to stay up-to-date with the status of your application. You can track your application's progress through the USCIS website or through the USCIS contact center.

Replacing a green card can help you avoid any legal problems. Before applying, you need to understand the specific eligibility criteria, application process, and processing time. Waiting until the last minute to replace your green card can cause unnecessary stress and legal issues.

Start the replacement process early, complete the application process correctly, and keep track of the application status. Following these steps can ensure you get your replacement green card without any problems.

Reach out to a green card replacement service near you to learn more.

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