Client Success: 10-Year Green Card Renewal (Form I-90) Delivered in About Seven Weeks
Is your green card about to expire? How long does a renewal take, and can you keep working and traveling while you wait? One of our clients recently received her renewed 10-year green card about seven weeks after retaining our firm. Here is her story, along with what you should know before filing your own renewal.
Case Timeline
Ms. H. became a conditional permanent resident in 2014 through the EB-5 immigrant investor program and later had her conditions removed. With her 10-year card nearing expiration, she retained our firm to handle the renewal.
September 3, 2026: Ms. H. retained our firm. After reviewing her records, we filed Form I-90 online.
October 19, 2026: USCIS mailed the new card.
October 26, 2026: The new card arrived, valid through 2036.
USCIS data currently show that most 10-year renewals take roughly 10.5 to 11 months. This case moved far faster than average. Processing times depend on USCIS workloads, however, and we cannot guarantee that any other case will be decided as quickly.
Who Should File Form I-90
Your 10-year card has expired or will expire within six months
Your card was lost, stolen, or damaged
Your name or other biographic information has legally changed
Your card contains an error (no fee if USCIS caused the error)
You received your card before age 14 and have now turned 14
Who Should Not File Form I-90
Holders of a two-year conditional green card cannot renew it with Form I-90. Marriage-based conditional residents must file Form I-751, and EB-5 investors must file Form I-829. Filing the wrong form wastes time and money and may put your status at risk.
Fees, Processing Times, and Proof of Status
Filing fee: $415 online or $465 by mail, biometrics included
Processing time: About 10.5 to 11 months for 10-year renewals (USCIS data, July 2026)
Receipt notice extension: The I-90 receipt notice extends the card’s validity for 36 months past its printed expiration date
While your case is pending, the receipt notice together with your expired card serves as proof of permanent resident status and employment authorization. If you no longer have your card and need proof of status, you may request a USCIS field office appointment for an ADIT stamp after filing.
Our tip: File as early as possible within the six-month window before expiration, and file online to save $50. Confirm the current fee before filing, because USCIS rejects applications submitted with an incorrect fee.
Consider Naturalization
Renewing your card replaces the document; it does not change your status. If you have been a permanent resident for five years (three years if married to and living with a U.S. citizen) and meet the continuous residence, physical presence, and good moral character requirements, you may be eligible to naturalize with Form N-400. As a citizen, you will never need to renew a green card again or worry about lengthy trips abroad affecting your status.
Naturalization also carries consequences for your current citizenship, taxes, and travel. China, for example, does not recognize dual nationality. We recommend discussing with an attorney whether to renew, naturalize, or do both before your card expires.
Travel Reminder
If you plan to travel while your renewal is pending, confirm in advance that your documents are sufficient for reentry. Extended absences from the United States may raise questions about whether you have abandoned your permanent residence, so consult an attorney before you go.
How We Can Help
A green card renewal may look simple, but choosing the right form, reviewing your records, timing the filing, and planning travel all affect the outcome. The Law Offices of Kelly Bu in Pleasanton, California, regularly assists clients with green card renewals, removal of conditions, naturalization, and other immigration matters.
Sources
USCIS: I-90 receipt notice extension increased to 36 months
Form I-90 fees (verified August 2026)
Form I-90 processing times (USCIS data as of July 15, 2026)
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