⚠ General information only — not legal advice. Immigration law is complex and fact-specific. Consult a licensed immigration attorney for your specific situation.
USCIS · Form I-90
Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card
Renew or replace a green card that is expiring, expired, lost, or stolen.
Filing fee
$540 (includes biometrics fee).
Processing time
8 to 24 months. USCIS issues a receipt notice that extends your work authorization while the renewal is pending — keep this receipt notice.
Filed with
USCIS — file online through myUSCIS (preferred) or by mail.
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Overview
Form I-90 is used by lawful permanent residents to replace their Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551), commonly called a green card. The card is typically valid for 10 years for permanent residents, after which it must be renewed even though the underlying permanent resident status does not expire.
A common misconception is that an expired green card means your permanent residence has expired. It has not — your status continues regardless of whether your card is current. However, the card itself is important proof of status for employment verification (Form I-9), domestic travel, and re-entry to the US after international travel.
For conditional permanent residents who received a 2-year green card based on a recent marriage, I-90 is not the correct form. Conditional residents must file Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence) before their 2-year card expires.
The I-90 receipt notice is important — when combined with your expired green card, it extends your work authorization and serves as temporary evidence of permanent resident status while the new card is being processed.
Who needs Form I-90?
Lawful permanent residents whose green card is expiring within 6 months, has already expired, was lost, stolen, or damaged, or contains incorrect information.
What does Form I-90 do?
Issues a new 10-year green card. An expired green card does not revoke your status as a lawful permanent resident — you are still a permanent resident — but creates practical problems for employment verification, re-entry, and other situations requiring proof of status.
Key requirements
✓Copy of your current or expired green card (front and back)
✓Explanation if your card was lost, stolen, or damaged
✓Two passport-style photos if filing by mail
Common mistakes to avoid
⚠Confusing I-90 with I-751 — if you have a 2-year conditional green card, you must file I-751, not I-90
⚠Not filing until the card has already expired — USCIS recommends filing 6 months before expiration
⚠Not keeping the I-90 receipt notice — it extends your work authorization and serves as proof of pending renewal
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Processing details
After filing online or by mail, you receive a receipt notice (Form I-797). This receipt notice, combined with your expired green card, extends your work authorization and serves as temporary evidence of status.
USCIS will schedule a biometrics appointment to capture your fingerprints and photo. After biometrics, USCIS will produce and mail the new green card.
Processing times have ranged from 8 to 24 months. If you need proof of status while your I-90 is pending — for extended international travel, for example — you can request an I-551 stamp in your passport at a USCIS field office.
After you file
Keep your I-90 receipt notice with your immigration documents — it proves your status is extended during the pending period.
If you need to travel internationally while your I-90 is pending, you can generally travel on your expired green card with the receipt notice. CBP typically admits LPRs in this situation.
Once you receive your new green card, verify all information is correct. If there are errors due to USCIS mistake, report them immediately — USCIS will waive the fee for correcting their own errors.
Common situations
Green card expiring while abroad
If your green card will expire while you are outside the US, file I-90 before you leave if possible. If you are already abroad with an expired card, contact the nearest US embassy or consulate — they can assist you in returning and may be able to place an I-551 stamp in your passport.
Green card with incorrect information
If your green card contains incorrect personal information due to a USCIS error, file I-90 to get a corrected card — USCIS waives the fee if the error was theirs. Bring documentation proving the correct information such as your birth certificate or passport.
Frequently asked questions
Do I lose my permanent residence if my green card expires?
No. Your status as a lawful permanent resident does not expire — only the card expires. You remain a permanent resident even with an expired card. However, an expired card causes practical problems for I-9 verification, travel, and various government services.
My green card was stolen. What should I do?
Report the theft to local police and obtain a police report. Then file I-90 with the police report and an explanation. You may want to place a fraud alert on your credit reports if concerned about identity theft. Your I-90 receipt notice serves as temporary proof of status.
I have a 2-year green card expiring soon — do I file I-90?
No. If you have a 2-year conditional permanent resident card (received based on a recent marriage), file Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence) within the 90-day window before your 2-year card expires. I-90 is for renewing 10-year cards, not for removing conditions.
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Official USCIS page for Form I-90
Always download the latest version of the form directly from the official source.