Arlington Green Card Renovation Process
Having a Green Card means that a person is a Lawful Permanent Resident of the United States. However, it is required that all Green Card holders renew their Lawful Permanent Resident Card. This Arlington Green Card renovation process can be somewhat complicated, and immigration law is often complex and difficult for the average person to understand. If you need to renew your Green Card, one way to get help with the process is by contacting a seasoned immigration attorney who has experience renewing Green Cards.
How Often Do Green Card Holders Have to Renew Their Card?
A Green Card is usually valid for 10 years. Every 10 years, a Green Card holder must submit an application for a renewed Green Card. The best strategy is to submit an application at least six months before the card expires, since this gives the system enough time to process the request and may prevent any unnecessary delays or stress.
Typically, it takes the United States authorities between three and four months to handle the Arlington Green Card renovation process. Submitting the application well ahead of that schedule can help ensure that a person’s Green Card does not expire while they are waiting for their renewal form to be approved. Getting help from a knowledgeable Arlington County immigration lawyer is an additional way to make the application process as speedy as possible.
Renewing a Green Card for Children
There is one exception to the ten-year expiration rule for Green Cards. If a child was issued a Green Card before their 14th birthday, they are required to file for renewal of that Green Card after they turn 14. Failing to do so will mean there is no valid evidence of that child’s lawful status, so it is important to understand that this requirement applies even if they turn 14 before the ten-year anniversary of their original acceptance as a Green Card holder.
The Dangers of Failing to Renew a Green Card
Having a valid Green Card is essential to demonstrating Lawful Permanent Resident Status. If a Green Card is not renewed and is allowed to expire, the holder may find it much more difficult to seek gainful employment or even travel across or outside of the country.
In situations in which a person has traveled outside of the United States when their Green Card expires, they may find it difficult to re-enter the country. They can seek to rectify the situation at the nearest United States consulate, but the best option is to contact an attorney who can help individuals with the Arlington Green Card renovation process.
Filling Out the I-90 Green Card Renewal Form
To renew a Green Card, the Green Card holder must fill out the I-90 form and submit it to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. If this application is denied, there is no way to formally appeal that decision. Instead, the Green Card holder can ask the USCIS to reconsider the case.
When doing so, the holder must show that the original negative decision was either due to misapplied immigration law or based on inaccurate data. For help with seeking to overturn a Green Card renewal denial, a person should contact an Arlington County immigration lawyer who has experience with the intricacies of immigration law.
Contacting an Arlington Immigration Attorney for Help
If you are approaching the expiration of your Green Card within the next year, contact a green card attorney who can help you with the renovation process. With their help, the Arlington Green Card renovation process may go much more smoothly, and you can work to have your application well in advance of the government’s typical three-to-four month response time.