Nostalgia catches several expats. They magnetize towards their home, people, culture, and kith & kin. Eventually, they return to their home town.

A person gave up his US residency three decades ago. But later on, he wanted to make a comeback. It was possible but he has to go through the entire procedure of getting a green card from scratch. However, his old card had no expiry date. But since three decades passed while leaving the USA, it was cancelled.

That was just an incident. There are many more reasons when you require renewing the green card. Let’s catch a look over all those ones:

When do you require renewing green card?

1. When the 10 year long validity of your green card is likely to expire.
2. When your previous card was stolen, burnt, mutilated, destroyed or lost.
3. When you did not receive your previously applied green card.
4. When you’re going to be 14 years old by birth.
5. When you want to end up being a commuter & willing to settle as the permanent resident of the USA.
6. When you’re willing to replace permanent resident status with the commuter.
7. When your green card reads incorrect or incomplete biographic details that you’ve revised through the court, like change in the name or get married.
8. When your status of an expat meets the legitimacy to get the green card automatically.
9. When you’re a permanent resident and your previous version of card is expired. It composes the ones who have applied for Form AR-3, Form AR-103 and Form I-151 with the USCIS.

How can you renew the Green Card?

1. The residents (living inside the USA) can apply to replace the green card with the USCIS & pay via its lockbox in the Phoenix DC AZ. Or,
2. The permanent residents living outside, like PIO or OCIs, can contact the nearest consulate office of America. Afterwards, they can fill the Form I-90.
3. Fill the Form I-90.
4. Enclose the documents:

• Original permanent resident card unless it is stolen, lost, destroyed, mutilated, or never received.
• Submit the copy if the original documents are unavailable at the immigration
• If you’re 18+ years old & don’t have the copy or original, attach the photocopy of your identity proof. It can be your driving licence, photocopy of the passport or any other one that wears your date of birth, name, photograph and signature.
• Submit two photographs of 2”X2” of dimensions within 30 days of filling Form I-90 (an application to replace a permanent resident card). It should have no formatting or editing. On the flip side of these photographs, write your alien registration number with a pencil.

(The alien registration number in the United States is popularly known as Form I-551. It represents the green card or a permanent residence card. It can be served as a permit to work and live permanently in the United States.)

• If you’re likely to renew this card after getting 14 years old, you must be fingerprinted with the USCIS. It will let you know when and where you can go for your fingerprinting.
• Another reason for the renewal of this card is to update the biographic data. As happens in India, you must submit the licit proof, like marriage certificate or affidavit of single status certificate or affidavit for changing the biographic persona. Enclose the proofs with explanation as the USCIS authority requires it.

5. If you’re applying as being a commuter, you can apply for the temporary proofs of your permanent residence and also the travel or employment proofs. They will be really helpful if you’ve lost your original proofs. Afterwards, you can apply for the renewal via Form I-90.

How can you know the decision of the USCIS over your application for replacing green card? 

The immigration authority will notify you via mail or in writing. You need to fill the Form I-89 which would be your data collection card. If it is approved, the authority will process & deliver your green card.

If it is rejected, you can re-appeal for the same. The reasons of rejection can be incomplete or wrong data in the form. And sometimes, it can be the flaw of officials.

The applicant can identify the error in the form as the authority mentions it in the rejection letter.  At that time, you can appeal through a motion to reopen. Provide the facts correctly with the reasons of correction.

If there was no mistake and it was the fault of the authority, you can go for the ‘motion to reconsider’.