Did You Know USCIS Will Now Automatically Extend Your Green Card When You Apply for Citizenship?

If you are applying for U.S. citizenship but your green card has expired or is about to expire, you might worry about your status while you are waiting for USCIS to process your application.  However, USCIS has a new policy to help with this. Now, when you file your citizenship application (Form N-400), USCIS will automatically extend your green card once they receive your application.

This change will help those who face long processing times. You won’t need to file a separate form to replace your green card; instead, USCIS will extend your green card for up to 24 months. You can use the receipt notice from your N-400 application as proof of your valid U.S. Immigration status and to show that you are authorized to work and travel.

Before this update, if you didn’t apply for citizenship at least six months before your green card expired, you had to file a form to replace it. If you applied on time, you would receive a temporary stamp in your passport. The new policy simplifies this process, reducing the need for these stamps and form replacements, and helps USCIS manage their resources better.

According to USCIS, all you will need to do is present your N-400 Receipt Notice AND your expired Green Card to prove that you are a permanent resident and that you are authorized to work and travel.  This means, of course, that if you happen to LOSE your Green Card, you will need to file an I-90 Application to replace it, since the 24-month extension is only valid IF you present it along with your expired Green Card.  If you feel that you need an ADIT stamp, you can schedule an appointment with a USCIS Field Office. 

To book a consultation, contact U.S. Immigration Lawyer Sean D. Hummel at (954) 385-3111 or sean@hummelaw.com.