Step by step renewal process

[jstatus330]

I originally used a lawyer to get my wife's green card. It expires this November and I'd like to do all this without a lawyer, too expensive!

Can someone give me a simple step by step of what I need to do to renew her green card and does she need anything else to leave the country, come back, etc, or is just a green card renewal all she would need? What are the forms needed? How long will this take to renew? Any help would be grateful! We have two children too, not sure if that makes a difference. She got her first green card in Nov 2008, it expires Nov 2010.

 

[König]

Fill out an I-90 form, attach the copy of the GC and a hefty cheque, and you will be good to go. There will be one biometrics appointment, and that is all. If the GC expires before she is issued a new one, she can ask for a temporary I-551 stamp in the passport. They will agree to put this stamp only when they see that she has already filed I-90. So, she can travel with no problems but she should not miss her biometrics appointment; otherwise, she should re-schedule it.

I did I-90 process from Aug 2008 to Jan 2009 - it was pretty simple and straightforward. Nothing to worry about.

 

[Jackolantern]

I-90 is NOT the right form for this situation! It is a 2-year card, so I-751 needs to filed in the 90-day window before the existing card expires.

We have two children too, not sure if that makes a difference.

Yes, having children definitely helps, if they're children you had with each other (i.e. not children from a previous relationship or marriage). Their birth certificates should be submitted with the I-751 paperwork.

 

[König]

Yeah, I missed the last sentence in the first post. I-90 is not the right form for this.

 

[jstatus330]

I-90 is NOT the right form for this situation! It is a 2-year card, so I-751 needs to filed in the 90-day window before the existing card expires.


Yes, having children definitely helps, if they're children you had with each other (i.e. not children from a previous relationship or marriage). Their birth certificates should be submitted with the I-751 paperwork.

Both children are from our marriage, not a previous relationship or anything. The one child is a newborn (13 May) and we will not have the certified birth certificate for a few weeks but I do have a copy of it.

Are there certain circumstance that allow you to file earlier than 90 days?
Will the new permanent residency card last longer than 2 years this go around or no?
When is she eligible to become a citizen?
Is this the only paperwork I need to submit?
Is she eligible for a U.S. Passport or must she get a new one from her country of origin?

I really appreciate the help! I'm in the military and I don't think they offer immigration services (although I haven't looked either).

I did find this official link, http://www.uscis.gov/i-751. So my understanding it costs $465 plus $80 biometric service fee? So what do I get by filling out the form and sending the money in? Do we get another permanent residency card?

 

[Jackolantern]

Both children are from our marriage, not a previous relationship or anything. The one child is a newborn (13 May) and we will not have the certified birth certificate for a few weeks but I do have a copy of it.

You only need to send a photocopy. Don't send the originals; save the originals for the interview (if there is an interview).

Are there certain circumstance that allow you to file earlier than 90 days?

No. If the new card is not approved before the existing one expires, they'll provide a paper or passport stamp that extends the validity of the existing card.

Will the new permanent residency card last longer than 2 years this go around or no?

10 years.

When is she eligible to become a citizen?

The standard is 5 years of having a green card. But it's only 3 years if married to and living with a US citizen -- November 2011 in her case. There are additional rules and conditions -- for more details see The Guide to Naturalization.

Is this the only paperwork I need to submit?

There are associated documents; read the I-751 instructions. I-751 involves proving the validity of the marriage, so the extra documents will be more or less just updated versions of the documents you supplied when applying and interviewing for the original green card ... recent joint bank statements, newer lease/mortgage statement, life/health insurance policies, copies of birth certificates of children, etc.

Is she eligible for a U.S. Passport or must she get a new one from her country of origin?

She needs to become a US citizen to get a US passport.

I really appreciate the help! I'm in the military and I don't think they offer immigration services (although I haven't looked either).

If you are deployed outside the US and she is or will be accompanying you, she may be eligible for expedited citizenship under Section 319(b).

I did find this official link, http://www.uscis.gov/i-751. So my understanding it costs $465 plus $80 biometric service fee? So what do I get by filling out the form and sending the money in? Do we get another permanent residency card?

When the I-751 is finally approved, which may take anywhere from a couple months to over a year, a 10-year card will be issued. The process will involve fingerprinting and possibly an interview.

 

[jstatus330]

Jackolantern,

Thanks for your speedy responses! You have helped out a ton.

One last thing. My wife just realized her MX passport is in fact expired. From reading online she could leave the country but not come back until she gets a new passport, is this true? I've also read that we can visit the nearest Mexican consulate to get a new Mexican passport, is this true?

 

[Jackolantern]

Actually, she can return without renewing the passport. The green card is sufficient for entering the US. It's leaving the US that would be a problem, because other countries will require an unexpired passport (except that some will accept expired passports for their own citizens).

And yes, a renewed passport can be obtained via the Mexican consulate. I don't know if it is necessary to physically visit the consulate; most countries' consulates in the US will allow renewals by mail/Fedex, since the US is so large which makes it difficult for most people to visit. They should have some details on their web site regarding the renewal process.

 

[jstatus330]

Actually, she can return without renewing the passport. The green card is sufficient for entering the US. It's leaving the US that would be a problem, because other countries will require an unexpired passport (except that some will accept expired passports for their own citizens).

And yes, a renewed passport can be obtained via the Mexican consulate. I don't know if it is necessary to physically visit the consulate; most countries' consulates in the US will allow renewals by mail/Fedex, since the US is so large which makes it difficult for most people to visit. They should have some details on their web site regarding the renewal process.

I visited the website and emailed them about what is needed to obtain a new passport, etc. If I don't hear back in a few days I will call them. I really appreciate your help!