What should I do if my green card has already expired?

If your green card is already expired, you should renew it as soon as possible. You will not be penalized for renewing an expired green card, but not having a valid green card in your possession could put you at risk for losing U.S. employment privileges and other benefits.

What should I do if my green card expired while I was traveling abroad?

If you are outside of the United States and you have failed to renew your green card on time, there are several options to gain re-entry to the United States and renew your green card. If you try to re-enter the United States with an expired green card, you may have issues and possibly be detained at the U.S. point of entry. Contact one of VISANOW’s immigration specialists to discuss the best option to re-enter the U.S. and renew your green card.

When should I apply to renew my green card?

You will be eligible to apply for renewal once you are within 6 months of your green card expiration date. We recommend applying 3 months or more before the expiration date to ensure enough time for processing.

What will happen to my legal status if my green card is lost, damaged, or stolen?

You should be perfectly fine as long as you apply for a green card replacement as soon as possible. If your green card is damaged, be sure to hold onto it to use as evidence in your replacement application. If you think your green card got lost in the mail, contact USCIS because the green card should eventually be sent back to them if it was never properly delivered.

Any stolen personal identification documents (this includes passports, driver’s licenses, social security cards, and work permits) should be reported to police or the proper authorities so that you can avoid being a victim of identity fraud.