Oct 10 2007

Individuals with Older Green Cards Will Soon be Required to Seek Replacement Cards

USCIS recently proposed a rule that would require all individuals to seek replacements of Permanent Residence Cards (green cards) without expiration dates. This rule, which would affect more than 750,000 green cards issued between the years of 1977 and 1989, would give individuals a 120-day period to file Form I-90, the Application to Replace Permanent Residence Card. These applicants, who would need to provide a $290 filing fee and an $80 biometric fee, would be required to have their biometric data collected at a local USCIS Application Support Center.

USCIS states that it will publish in the Federal Register the date upon which the validity of these old green cards will be invalid. Any permanent resident that does not file Form I-90 within the proposed 120-day period would not lose their permanent residence status, but would not receive a new green card prior to the official termination date of the outdated card. This, in turn, would make them in violation of current immigration registration requirements.

Please note that you do not need to wait for the publication of this final rule to seek a new, updated green card. You may file your Form I-90 at any time to receive a new green card with an expiration date.