Form I-90 Processing Time

Green Card Renewal!

What Happens After Filing Form I-90

Application to Replace Permanent

Resident Card.

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What Happens After Filing Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card

Receipt Notice

Biometrics Appointment

Receive Green Card

What Happens After Filing Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card

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.

I-90 Rejection Statistics

Last year USCIS received

593,180

I-90 applications

But USCIS rejected about

65,250

due to incorrect filing

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.

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.

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 36 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 36 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.

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