USCIS Announces 36-Month Automatic Green Card Extension for I-90 Applicants

September 19 :
For lawful permanent residents who submit Form I-90, the Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on September 18, 2024, an automatic extension of the Green Card validity to 36 months. Those who wish to renew their Green Cards before they expire must comply with this new policy, which took effect on September 10, 2024.

A longer 36-month extension from the expiration date of the present Green Card is now provided by the new policy, in contrast to the 24-month extension that was previously issued with Form I-90 receipt letters. The purpose of this extension is to give applicants who are facing lengthy processing periods more time to gather valid proof of their lawful permanent resident status before they wait for their cards to be renewed.

The language on Form I-90 receipt notices has also been modified by USCIS to reflect this change. It has been made clear that individuals with pending I-90 applications will begin to get modified receipt letters on September 10th. These notices, when combined with an expired Green Card, will serve as proof of continuous status and employment permission. An appointment at a nearby USCIS Field Office can be scheduled through the USCIS Contact Center for lawful permanent residents who have misplaced their Green Cards and require temporary documentation of their status.

Filing Form I-90 allows individuals to be eligible for an Alien Documentation, Identification, and Telecommunications (ADIT) stamp in certain instances. With this policy shift, Green Card holders may rest easy knowing they have more options and less to worry about in the event of processing delays.