Written by Jonathan Aftalion, Esq. — Founding Attorney, Aftalion Law Group
(UCLA BA, Wisconsin JD, Witwatersrand LLM, dual CA + NY licensure, Super Lawyers Rising Stars)
Key Point
- The green card renewal fee is $415 to file Form I-90 online or $465 by mail, and the biometrics fee is included in that amount.
- USCIS is currently completing 80% of I-90 cases in about 10.5 months (USCIS processing times, as of October 2026), so file at least 6 months before your card expires.
- If you hold a 2-year conditional card, you do not renew; you file to remove conditions (Form I-751 for marriage, I-829 for investment).
The green card renewal fee in 2026 is $415 online or $465 by paper, and USCIS is finishing most Form I-90 renewals in about 10.5 months. File at least 6 months before your card expires, because your I-90 receipt notice extends the validity of your existing card while you wait. This guide gives the current green card renewal fee, the I-90 processing time, and when legal help is worth it, for permanent residents in Los Angeles, New York, and nationwide.
Fees from the USCIS fee schedule (Form G-1055); processing time from the USCIS Check Case Processing Times tool, as of October 2026. Always confirm both before you file.
How much does it cost to renew a green card in 2026?
I-90 fee, online vs paper The green card renewal fee is $415 if you file Form I-90 online and $465 if you file by mail. Online is the cheaper and usually faster route.
Biometrics fee There is no separate biometrics fee for Form I-90. It is built into the filing fee, so the figures above are the full USCIS cost.
Fee waiver and $0 categories If you cannot afford the fee, you may request a waiver by filing Form I-912, but only with a paper application, not online. Some renewals are also free at no cost to you: for example, if USCIS issued your previous card with an error, if your card was issued but never reached you, or if you are replacing a card that will expire after your 16th birthday. Check the current USCIS fee schedule for the category that fits your situation.
How long does it take to renew a green card?
Current I-90 processing time USCIS is completing 80% of I-90 cases in about 10.5 months, based on its own processing-times data. Your case can run shorter or longer, so treat it as a reference point, not a guarantee, and check the live USCIS processing-times tool for the current figure before you plan around it.
What the I-90 receipt notice does while you wait When USCIS accepts your I-90, it mails a receipt notice (Form I-797C) that extends the validity of your current green card while the renewal is pending. The notice states how long the extension lasts, and you present it together with your expired card as proof of status. Keep it somewhere safe, because it is your evidence of continued permanent residence.
What if your green card expires before the new one arrives?
Working and traveling with an expired card In most cases you are still a lawful permanent resident even if the card itself expires; the status does not end with the card. Your I-90 receipt notice, presented with the expired card, generally serves as proof of status for work and travel while the renewal is pending.
Getting an ADIT stamp If you need proof of status and your receipt-notice extension is not enough, for example for urgent travel or a new job, you can request an ADIT stamp (also called an I-551 stamp) by scheduling an appointment at a USCIS field office. The stamp is placed in your passport and serves as temporary evidence of permanent residence.
Can you renew a green card online?
Yes. You can file Form I-90 through a USCIS online account, which lets you pay the $415 online fee, upload documents, and track your case. The one exception is a fee waiver: if you are requesting one with Form I-912, you must file on paper. Conditional residents with 2-year cards cannot use I-90 at all and file I-751 or I-829 instead.
When should you hire a lawyer instead of filing alone?
A straightforward renewal is something many people file themselves. Legal help pays off when a mistake could be costly or your history is complicated, including renewals for someone with a criminal record, cases where the card was lost or stolen or the name has legally changed, or situations where you may be better served applying for U.S. Citizenship instead of renewing again. Because a rejected I-90 does not come with a refund, a single avoidable error can cost you the full green card renewal fee twice. If any of that sounds like your case, see our Visa Processing practice, and if you are worried about how a past issue could affect your status, see Can Green Card Holders Be Deported: What to Know.
Green Card Renewal Help in Los Angeles and New York
If you want your Form I-90 filed right the first time, Aftalion Law Group offers flat-fee green card renewal help for permanent residents in Los Angeles, New York, and nationwide. We confirm the current fee and processing time, file the correct form for your situation, and handle the complications that trip people up. Schedule a case review at no cost or call (424) 270-6767 to get your renewal moving before your card expires.
Trusted Resources
- USCIS, Form I-90 (Replace or Renew a Green Card): https://www.uscis.gov/i-90
- USCIS, Check Case Processing Times: https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/
- USCIS, Fee Schedule (Form G-1055): https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055
- USCIS, Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver): https://www.uscis.gov/i-912
This article is attorney advertising and general information, not legal advice for your situation. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship with Aftalion Law Group.
FAQ
As of the current USCIS fee schedule it is $415 online and $465 on paper. Fees change, so confirm the figure on the USCIS fee schedule before you pay.
USCIS is completing most I-90 cases in about 10.5 months, though individual cases vary. Check the USCIS processing-times tool for the live number.
Usually yes. You remain a permanent resident, and your I-90 receipt notice presented with your expired card generally serves as proof of status while you wait.
No. A 2-year card is conditional, so you file Form I-751 (marriage-based) or I-829 (investment-based) to remove conditions, not Form I-90.
Often yes, using your receipt notice and, if needed, an ADIT (I-551) stamp from a USCIS field office as temporary proof of status. Get advice before international travel if you have any prior immigration issues.
Trusted Resources
- USCIS, Form I-90 (Replace or Renew a Green Card): https://www.uscis.gov/i-90
- USCIS, Check Case Processing Times: https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/
- USCIS, Fee Schedule (Form G-1055): https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055
- USCIS, Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver): https://www.uscis.gov/i-912
This article is attorney advertising and general information, not legal advice for your situation. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship with Aftalion Law Group.
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Essential Ideas
- Case closed is not final
- Common dismissal reasons
- Appeal options may exist
- Strict filing deadlines apply
- Legal help can protect status