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What Happens After Filing Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card
Steps in the USCIS Process
- Receipt Notice
- Biometrics Appointment
- Receive Green Card
I-90 Processing Statistics
- USCIS Rejections
- Historical Processing Times
- Backlog of Cases
- Total I-90 Processing Time
1. Receipt of Application
Approximately 2 to 4 Weeks After Filing
If you properly file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, USCIS will initially respond by mailing you a receipt notice that confirms receipt of your application. Formally known as Form I-797C, Notice of Action (see example below), the receipt notice typically arrives 2 to 4 weeks after filing. If you did not properly file your Form I-90, USCIS will send a Notice of Action to reject the application. A rejection will significantly delay your request and overall I-90 processing time. Thus, it's important to prepare the green card renewal/replacement application package correctly and submit all required supporting documents. Learn how.
Save your I-90 receipt notice. It contains your 10-digit receipt number. You can use this receipt number to check your case status. If you didn’t receive a Notice of Action, you can make a case inquiry. It may also serve as your temporary green card.
Last year USCIS received
I-90 applications
But USCIS rejected about
due to incorrect filing
Source: USCIS FY2023
2. Biometrics Appointment
Approximately 5 to 8 Weeks After Filing
Next, USCIS mails an appointment notice that assigns your biometrics appointment date, time and location. (The location will generally be the USCIS Application Support Center nearest you.) USCIS requires applicants to be fingerprinted for the purpose of conducting a security clearance and criminal background check. Don’t be alarmed — All applicants must have background checks.
The USCIS biometrics appointment, also known as a biometric screening, is generally a short appointment (less than 20 minutes) so that USCIS can collect your fingerprints, photograph and signature. Your appointment notice will tell you what you need to take to the appointment. Expect to take some form of government-issued photo identification to enter the building. USCIS can accept ID documents such as:
- Passport or national photo identification issued by your country
- Driver’s license
- Military photo identification
- State-issued photo identification card
This is not an interview. The appointment’s purpose is to collect your biometrics information only. Try to attend the appointment as scheduled. Rescheduling the biometrics appointment will lengthen your the I-90 processing time. If you think you might have a criminal record (even a DUI), contact an immigration lawyer before going to a biometrics appointment. Some crimes will make you ineligible for immigration benefits.
I-90 Historical Processing Times at USCIS
The graph below illustrates median processing times (in months) for the previous 10 fiscal years. USCIS has had significant difficulty maintaining reasonable processing times for green card renewal and green card replacement.
Source: USCIS
3. Receive Green Card
Approximately 4 to 8 Months After Filing
After completing the biometrics appointment, USCIS will process your application to replace or renew a green card. If USCIS approves your application, they will mail the new green card to your U.S. mailing address. (Green cards are never mailed to non-U.S. addresses. If you are a permanent resident in commuter status, USCIS will deliver the new green card to the port of entry that you named in your application.) If USCIS denies your application, they will a notice explaining the reasons for the green card renewal denial.
I-90 Backlog Report
The graph below shows the number of open cases at the end of each fiscal year. The backlog of I-90 cases rose significantly in 2022. USCIS did focus resources on Form I-90 processing in 2023, and it appears to have helped.
Source: USCIS
Temporary Green Card
Evidence of Permanent Resident Status
The receipt notice described above also serves to extend the validity of your green card. It will extend the validity of the green card for a period of 24 months beyond the expiration date on the card. Present this document with with your expired permanent resident card as evidence of your permanent resident status and employment authorization. USCIS provides this automatically when you file successfully.
If your card was already expired for more than 24 months or you’ve lost your card, you may request an I-551 stamp. It's also known as an Alien Documentation, Identification & Telecommunications stamp or ADIT stamp. You'll need to request this stamp and obtain it at an Infopass appointment.
Total I-90 Processing Time
Knowing that your green card has expired (or worse yet it was lost/stolen) can be an unsettling feeling. You’re probably anxious to know what happens after filing Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, and the I-90 processing time to receive your new green card.
Most I-90 applications are denied or approved within
4to0months
of the filing date
Although the steps that take place are fairly consistent, the Form I-90 processing time will vary based on the USCIS case load and your ability to properly file an accurately prepared green card renewal/replacement application package.
CitizenPath Helps Optimize Your Processing Time
How long does it take to replace or renew a green card?
Our goal is to help you replace or renew your green card as easily as possible. And our customers generally experience some of the best I-90 processing times because of our approach. Our objective is to help you prepare an application that meets the eligibility requirements and is sufficiently documented to avoid RFEs and denials. Our system was designed by experienced attorneys. Yet, we offer an affordable online system to prepare your application and guarantee USCIS approval.
STEP | Check Eligibility | |
We're going to ask you a few questions to make sure you're eligible and preparing the correct form. | ||
STEP | Prepare Form I-90 | |
Our software will guide you through the I-90 application using simple step-by-step instructions. | ||
STEP | Download, Print and File | |
Once you're completely satisfied, you’ll be able to print your I-90 and customized filing instructions. | ||
Learn more about CitizenPath's
Green Card Renewal/Replacement Package