U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced an update to how long a
lawful permanent resident’s (Green Card holder’s) card remains valid when they file a renewal.
Under the policy effective September 26, 2022, USCIS extended the automatic
validity extension from 12 months to 24 months for those who properly file
Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card.
What Changed
When a U.S. lawful permanent resident (LPR) files Form I-90 to renew an expiring or expired
Green Card, USCIS issues a receipt notice (Form I-797). Prior to this change, that receipt notice
included language extending the Green Card’s validity for 12 months beyond the card’s expiration
date. Under the updated policy, USCIS began printing amended receipt notices with language
extending Green Card validity automatically for 24 months from the original card
expiration date for LPRs who filed Form I-90 on or after September 26, 2022.
Why the Extension Matters
This extension helps lawful permanent residents who renew their cards because average processing
times for Form I-90 have increased — often well over 12 months in recent years. The 24-month
extension gives applicants more time with proof of continued permanent resident status while
waiting for their renewed physical card.
Green Card holders may use the combination of their expired or expiring card **plus** the amended
Form I-797 receipt notice as evidence of their legal permanent resident status and employment
authorization. This is commonly required for:
- Travel and re-entry to the United States (airlines and border officials can accept it).
- Employment eligibility verification (Form I-9) with employers.
- Opening bank accounts, applying for a driver’s license, or other identity/status purposes.
Additional Options While Waiting
If a lawful permanent resident needs immediate documentation of status — for example, for
international travel — but has not received the updated receipt notice, USCIS allows LPRs to
request an Alien Documentation, Identification, and Telecommunications (ADIT) stamp in their
passport at a USCIS field office appointment. An ADIT stamp can serve as temporary proof of
status and work authorization while the Form I-90 is pending.
Subsequent Update (36-Month Extension)
Since the 2022 announcement, USCIS further updated this policy: effective September 10, 2024,
receipt notices for new and pending Form I-90 renewals now extend Green Card validity to
36 months. This means that current and future applicants may now receive up
to a 36-month extension on their expired or expiring Green Cards while awaiting a new card.
The 36-month extension replaces the earlier 24-month period and reflects USCIS’s effort to
provide longer acceptable documentation in light of ongoing processing delays.