Your permanent resident status does not end just because your physical green card expires. You are still a lawful permanent resident.
However, an expired green card can cause problems. For example:
Travel: You may have trouble coming back into the United States after traveling.
Work: You may have trouble getting or keeping a job because you need a valid green card to show you can work.
Benefits: You may have trouble getting or applying for certain benefits or services.
Important: Even though your status is still valid, you should renew your green card to avoid these problems.
In simple terms, your green card is not your status.
When you are given a green card, this is merely a representation as your status as a permanent resident in the United States. It is not actually that status itself. If your green card expires, your status does not expire. This means that failing to renew a green card does not automatically cancel your underlying status and makes you subject to removal.
However, allowing a green card to expire and failing to renew it does have potentially serious consequences. You can be charged with a misdemeanor for knowingly carrying an expired green card without taking reasonable steps to have it renewed. A misdemeanor prosecution and successful conviction in turn can actually damage your residency.
Yes. You can still apply for U.S. citizenship even if your green card is expired.
As long as you meet all the requirements, an expired green card will not stop you from being eligible to apply.
Yes. You can still apply.
When you file your citizenship application (Form N-400), you will get a receipt notice. When you show this notice with your expired green card, it extends your green card for 24 months from the expiration date.
If your case is still pending after 24 months, you can contact USCIS to request a temporary proof of your status (called an ADIT stamp) in your passport.
You may be able to travel if:
You have your expired green card, and
You have your Form N-400 receipt notice showing a 24-month extension
The extension must still be valid (within 24 months of the expiration date). We encourage our clients to check in with us for up-to-date travel recommendations.
Renewing Your Green Card
You can renew your green card by filing Form I-90.
Application fee: $455
Biometrics fee: $85
Total cost: $540
You may qualify for a fee waiver if:
You receive certain public benefits
Your household income is low
You are facing financial hardship
Please note that Project Citizenship does not provide green card-related services. Although we do not help with getting or renewing green cards, we may be able to provide referrals for local agencies/attorneys who can assist you with this process.