Question:
What is involved in the renewal process? When should it be started? Many
thanks in advance.
Answer:
It depends on why you need to renew it...
If you need to renew it because it's an old card (green, without an
expiration date) or because it has a 10 years expiration date, then
contact the local INS office for a form.
But if it expires after 2 years, it's probably because of you being a
'conditional permanent resident' (ie you married an US citizen).
Therefore, you need to file I-751 to remove the conditions.
I'm concerned about that too. I heard that you only have to renew it if you
have an experation date on the back of your card. And than I also heard you
have to do it every 10 years. I hope we get some answers.
Old green cards had no expiration date. And INS started to require
people to renew them to ones that do expire.
Also, yes, the new cards (I-551) expire after 10 years. Note that the
card itself expires, not the status. That is, you'll continue to be a PR
but must renew the card.
What happens if you don' t renew, I told my cousin about this
after seeing
your post. His card exporied 4 yrs ago, he was unware of
experiation.
Is he in trouble with immigration now, will they deport him?
How could his card have expired? The cards with 10-year expiration
dates just starting expiring in the last month or so. From 1977 through
1989, green cards had no expiration dates. They don't have to be
renewed.
Was your cousin's card obtained through marriage, and expired after only
2 years? If so he is in trouble. Time to see an immigration attorney.
