Green Card Validity Extended To 24 Months For U.S. Citizenship Applicants

The validity of green cards is extended to 24 months for lawful permanent residents who have properly filed their Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card). The Form I-90 previously provide only a 12-month extension for the validity of a green card, says fredlaw.com.

Green Card

On December 12, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated the USCIS Policy Manual to automatically extend the validity of Permanent Resident Cards, also known as Green Cards. This update aims to help lawful permanent residents in applying for naturalization.

The processing time will be reduced because applicants will receive an extension of the lawful permanent resident (LPR) status and may no longer need to file Form I-90. LPRs who properly file their Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization) may be granted an extension regardless of whether they filed their Form I-90.

The Form N-400 can be submitted with the expired green card for verification of continued status, identity, and employment authorization before the 24-month extension provided expires, according to USCIS.

Who is eligible for this extension?

According to The National Law Review, the 24-month extension is applicable to all applicants who will file their Form N-400 on or after December 12, 2022. LPRs who have filed for naturalization before December 12 will not receive their Form N-400 with a notice for an extension.

If the green card expires, one must still file their Form I-90 or obtain an Alien Documentation, Identification, and Telecommunications (ADIT) stamp in their passport. This is to possess valid proof of LPR status.

On the other hand, LPRs who lose their green card must still also file their Form I-90. Even if LPRs have already applied for naturalization and received an extension, they must still carry proof of registration.