Changes to Green Card Renewals for Naturalization Applicants

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TEACHING, INTERPRETING,

& CHANGING LAW SINCE 1979

CHANGES

GREEN CARD RENEWALS

FOR NATURALIZATION APPLICANTS

Frequently asked questions about green card validity

for those applying for citizenship

JANUARY 2023

On December 9, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced

that they will automatically extend the validity of Permanent Resident Cards—also

known as green cards—for those who apply for naturalization on or after December

12, 2022. Under this new policy, naturalization applicants will get an automatic green

card extension of 24 months from the date of their card expiration date once they file

their application for naturalization (Form N-400).

The USCIS policy alert describing the changes is available on their website. The

change was also made to the USCIS Policy Manual (Volume 12, Part D, Chapter 2).

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

Prior to this new policy, if your green card was

expiring in fewer than six months from the time you

filed your naturalization application, you would have

to file Form I-90 and pay the filing fee to renew your

green card. This meant additional forms to fill out

and additional fees to pay.

Under this new policy, if your green card is expiring and you file an application for

naturalization on or after December 12, 2022, your green card will be extended for

24 months while your naturalization application is pending. There is no need to file a

separate green card renewal application with your naturalization application.

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TEACHING, INTERPRETING,

& CHANGING LAW SINCE 1979

COMMUNITY

EXPLAINER

WHEN DOES THE 24-MONTH EXTENSION START?

If you file your naturalization application on or after December 12, 2022, the 24-month

extension starts from the date of expiration of your green card. Your green card will

be valid for 24 months after the expiration date shown on your card as long as your

naturalization application is pending.

If your naturalization application is still pending at the end of the 24-month extension,

you will have to obtain an Alien Documentation, Identification and Telecommunication

(ADIT) stamp to demonstrate your lawful permanent resident status. You can request

an ADIT stamp from your local USCIS field office by calling the USCIS Contact Center at

1-800-375-5283 to schedule an appointment.

WHO DOES THIS AFFECT?

This affects any lawful permanent resident (LPR) who applies for naturalization on or

after December 12, 2022.

WHAT IF MY GREEN CARD IS ALREADY EXPIRED WHEN I APPLY FOR

NATURALIZATION?

If your green card has expired by

the time, you file your naturalization

application, you will still receive the

24-month extension, but if the green

card is more than 24 months expired,

you will need to file Form I-90 to have

your green card considered valid.

AN EXPIRED OR LOST GREEN CARD DOES NOT

MEAN THAT YOUR PERMANENT RESIDENCE IS

EXPIRED BUT HAVING AN EXPIRED OR LOST

GREEN CARD CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS FOR

EMPLOYMENT AND TRAVEL.

NOTE

DO I QUALIFY FOR AN AUTOMATIC EXTENSION IF I LOST MY GREEN

CARD, BEFORE I APPLY FOR NATURALIZATION?

If you have lost your green card, you will have to file Form I-90 with the filing fee or a

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TEACHING, INTERPRETING,

& CHANGING LAW SINCE 1979

COMMUNITY

EXPLAINER

ILRC.ORG PG. 3

& alerts about immigration law.

Discover more community explainers, toolkits,

fee waiver request form (Form I-912) to get a new green card.

WHAT DO I TELL MY EMPLOYER?

If your green card is expiring and you apply for naturalization on or after December 12,

2022, you should present the receipt notice for your N-400 along with your expired

green card as valid evidence of your unexpired lawful permanent resident status,

your identity, and your employment authorization. The receipt notice along with

your expired green card is enough to show the extension so long as the 24-month

extension is not over. If you lose your N-400 receipt notice with the green card

extension, you can contact the USCIS Contact Center to schedule an appointment to

get an ADIT stamp or you can file a Form I-90 with the filing fee.

WHAT IF I CAN’T AFFORD TO PAY FOR THE NATURALIZATION

APPLICATION FEE?

The naturalization application fee ($725, including the $85 biometric services fee) is a

barrier for many LPRs. USCIS offers a fee waiver program and a reduced fee option to

low-income applicants if they live at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

The New Americans Campaign has a fee waiver calculator that can help you assess if

you are eligible for a fee waiver or fee reduction for your naturalization application.

WHERE CAN I FIND A TRUSTED LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDER TO ASK

QUESTIONS ABOUT MY IMMIGRATION CASE?

You can visit https://ilrc.me/findhelp to find a trusted legal services provider in your

area. To find out if you are eligible to become a U.S. Citizen, you can connect with one

of the New Americans Campaign’s trusted non-profit partners who can help you apply

for U.S. citizenship: https://www.newamericanscampaign.org/finding-assistance/

Are you a California Community College (CCC) or a California State University

(CSU) student? If so, you qualify for FREE immigration legal services!

FIND OUT MORE CCC: findyourally.com CSU: findyourally.com/csu