U.S. immigration Green Cards must be reapplied for if they are lost or expired. Permanent residents who have received a Green Card must apply for a replacement if their Green Card has expired, requires an update of information, is lost, stolen, completely or partially damaged, or if a reissued Green Card has not been received within 6 months.
It generally takes 3-5 months from the time of fingerprinting to receiving a new Green Card, so the process from submitting the application to receiving the new card takes approximately less than six months. If an applicant for U.S. immigration has not received their Green Card within 6 months after the application is approved, it is recommended to inquire at the USCIS service center. If the inquiry yields no results, a new application must be submitted.
If an applicant needs to leave the United States during the application period, they may depart after completing the fingerprinting process and do not need to wait for the new Green Card. If the applicant does not have their old Green Card and needs to re-enter the United States before receiving the new one, they can apply for a temporary identity document to be placed in their passport at a local USCIS office before departure, so that they may re-enter the United States in the future.
Important Notes for U.S. Immigration Green Card Renewal
1. If the applicant's current address is different from the address provided to USCIS during the previous Green Card application, or if an incorrect address was provided at that time, the applicant must resubmit the application according to the standard procedure and pay the required fees.
2. If the applicant has been determined by USCIS to have abandoned their permanent resident status, the new Green Card application will not be approved unless the applicant can prove that they have not abandoned their permanent resident status.
3. If the information on the U.S. immigration application holder's Green Card needs to be updated, USCIS will first verify whether the information on the Green Card matches the application materials. If they do not match, USCIS will deny the request for a free card replacement. If an applicant wishes to replace a Green Card that contains incorrect information due to their own error, they must submit a Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card) according to the standard procedure. When filling out the form, pay special attention to the accuracy of the following information: • Applicant's name • Home address • Date of birth • Signature, and pay the basic application fee and the $450 fingerprinting fee.
4. If the Green Card is damaged due to a quality issue with the card itself, the application fee may be waived.
5. If a foreign national is outside the United States on their 14th birthday, they should generally submit an application within 30 days after returning to the United States.
What to do if a Green Card is lost outside the United States:
In cases where a Green Card is stolen, lost, or damaged while traveling, working, or on a business trip overseas, the entire process is different. The entire application procedure requires at least 14 working days (three weeks). You must apply for a "Transportation Letter" at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad; this letter acts as a temporary travel document. It allows international airlines to transport you back to the United States smoothly and without obstruction within one month of the letter's issuance, without any penalties from USCIS.
Please prepare the following materials when applying:
1. Proof of identity (Chinese passport, U.S. driver's license, etc.)
2. Proof of the date of the most recent departure from the United States. If the passport is not lost, this is simple as the passport contains entry and exit stamps. If it is lost, it is more complicated, but you can at least provide flight proof (printed from the internet, boarding pass stubs, etc.)
3. Proof of legal residence in the United States (e.g., a judge's order for political asylum, I-730 approval notice, or an I-140 approval notice for general immigrants, etc.)
4. Proof of residence in the United States for the past year (tax returns, utility bills, lease agreements, bank statements, employment verification, etc.)
5. Police report for the lost/stolen Green Card
6. Application fee of $165
7. Five 2x2 U.S. passport-style photos
Special note: After receiving the "Transportation Letter" issued by the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate, it is best to return to the United States within 15 days and immediately apply for a replacement Green Card.