Does an Expired Green Card Affect My Path to Citizenship?

Your permanent resident card is valid for 10 years. After spending nearly a decade in the United States, you may find it natural to take the next step and become a citizen. But with this, you may be confused whether to renew your expired green card, move forward with your naturalization application, or both. Well, read on to discover whether an expired green card will hinder your path to citizenship in any capacity, and how a seasoned Lyndhurst green card immigration lawyer at the Law Offices of Salvatore A. Falletta, LLC, can steer you in the right direction.

Will an expired green card hinder my path to U.S. citizenship?

Much to your surprise, your expired green card cannot automatically prevent you from filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. This is because your green card simply serves as proof of your permanent residency, so when it expires, it does not necessarily mean your legal status does too. In fact, once you submit your petition to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), your receipt notice (i.e., Form I-797) may extend the validity of your green card for 24 months from its initial expiration date.

Should I renew my expired green card while applying for citizenship?

Of course, we understand if you feel uneasy going about your day-to-day life with an expired green card. But again, while you can apply for a green card renewal with Form I-90, it is often unnecessary if you have already filed Form N-400 and received a receipt notice. The only circumstances in which we would encourage you to apply for this renewal separately are if your card gets lost, stolen, or destroyed during your naturalization process. 

And, obviously, you should apply to replace your permanent resident card if, for whatever reason, obtaining citizenship has taken longer than 24 months thus far. As a reminder, this is how long the extension period lasts. While this is not critical for maintaining your legal status and maximizing your chances of becoming a citizen, an expired green card can create certain inconveniences in your personal life. 

For one, you may have difficulty verifying your legal status with current employers or filling out I-9 forms when seeking new employment opportunities. Secondly, you may have trouble re-entering the U.S. after traveling abroad, which is especially concerning if you travel a lot for work or need to respond to a family emergency. Lastly, you may get blocked from opening a bank account, renewing your driver’s license, and other matters that require identification.

We sympathize with how frightening this uncertain time may be for you. For the comfort and relief you need, please seek the aid of a competent lawyer from our Lyndhurst green card immigration law firm, the Law Offices of Salvatore A. Falletta. We will support you in any capacity you like.