As I was really worried about getting my green card renewed and had read lots of different answers and concerns in several forums, here's my experience:
- Before my Green Card expired, I had been outside the U.S.. Actually I had been living in the States for several years after winning the GC in the lottery, but then returned to Europe for business also some years ago; however, I traveled into the States at least once a year, usually even 2-3 times per year without ever having any issue at immigration;
- Knowing that my Green Card will expire mid 2009, I booked a flight more than a month before that date to go to the nearest USCIS office where I scheduled an appointment using Infopass;
- At the USCIS I was told that the only possibility to extend the Green Card is online or by mail therefore that visit at the USCIS office was a complete waste of time (originally I was hoping to file the application at the USCIS, do the biometrics at the same visit and then return to Europe while waiting that the new Green Card is mailed to my U.S. address). At least I was hoping to get a whatever kind of extension for my Green Card that was about to expire but even that was refused. I was explained that after filing the renewal application, I will receive an appointment for my biometrics at the nearest ASC and there my Green Card will be extended. The appointment will be scheduled approximately 2-3 weeks after filing the form I-90 (the official name for the renewal application).
- I immediately filed the I-90 online. 3 or 4 days later, I received the NOA. Another 3 or 4 days later, I received the scheduled appointment at the ASC for the biometrics. This appointment was scheduled for a Saturday, about 2.5 weeks after having filed the form I-90. As Saturday was not a good day for me (I could have made it but I had different plans), I decided to give it a try and just walk into the ASC on Thursday before. People there were surprisingly nice and helpful and it was not an issue that I was allowed to stay and get my biometrics done. However, I had to talk to the manager briefly but he approved it right away.
- The very first step before having my biometrics taken was the extension of my (in the meantime expired) Green Card for one year by putting a sticker on the back. Then they took my fingerprints and the foto and that's it.
- I used the temporarily extended Green Card for traveling outside the U.S. with no issues when returning.
- 2 weeks after the biometrics being taken I received a letter that my Green Card renewal is being processed and if approved it will be mailed to me; if there wasn't any notice within 30 days I should call a service number;
- 10 days later the new Green Card was in my mail.
So altogether it was about 6 weeks for the entire process. Pretty straight forward, pretty easy. Hope this helps. However, all this information can also be found on the USCIS homepage, but for some reason I was still confused and unsure after having read it back then.
- Before my Green Card expired, I had been outside the U.S.. Actually I had been living in the States for several years after winning the GC in the lottery, but then returned to Europe for business also some years ago; however, I traveled into the States at least once a year, usually even 2-3 times per year without ever having any issue at immigration;
- Knowing that my Green Card will expire mid 2009, I booked a flight more than a month before that date to go to the nearest USCIS office where I scheduled an appointment using Infopass;
- At the USCIS I was told that the only possibility to extend the Green Card is online or by mail therefore that visit at the USCIS office was a complete waste of time (originally I was hoping to file the application at the USCIS, do the biometrics at the same visit and then return to Europe while waiting that the new Green Card is mailed to my U.S. address). At least I was hoping to get a whatever kind of extension for my Green Card that was about to expire but even that was refused. I was explained that after filing the renewal application, I will receive an appointment for my biometrics at the nearest ASC and there my Green Card will be extended. The appointment will be scheduled approximately 2-3 weeks after filing the form I-90 (the official name for the renewal application).
- I immediately filed the I-90 online. 3 or 4 days later, I received the NOA. Another 3 or 4 days later, I received the scheduled appointment at the ASC for the biometrics. This appointment was scheduled for a Saturday, about 2.5 weeks after having filed the form I-90. As Saturday was not a good day for me (I could have made it but I had different plans), I decided to give it a try and just walk into the ASC on Thursday before. People there were surprisingly nice and helpful and it was not an issue that I was allowed to stay and get my biometrics done. However, I had to talk to the manager briefly but he approved it right away.
- The very first step before having my biometrics taken was the extension of my (in the meantime expired) Green Card for one year by putting a sticker on the back. Then they took my fingerprints and the foto and that's it.
- I used the temporarily extended Green Card for traveling outside the U.S. with no issues when returning.
- 2 weeks after the biometrics being taken I received a letter that my Green Card renewal is being processed and if approved it will be mailed to me; if there wasn't any notice within 30 days I should call a service number;
- 10 days later the new Green Card was in my mail.
So altogether it was about 6 weeks for the entire process. Pretty straight forward, pretty easy. Hope this helps. However, all this information can also be found on the USCIS homepage, but for some reason I was still confused and unsure after having read it back then.