Green Card Renewal While Traveling: Expired Card Solutions

Your green card is set to expire in three months, and you’re planning a six-month trip to care for an aging parent abroad. Can you renew your green card while you’re overseas? What happens if it expires while you’re traveling?

Quick Answer: You generally cannot complete a green card renewal from outside the United States. Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card) requires a U.S. mailing address and in-person biometrics at a U.S. Application Support Center. Rare exceptions exist for military personnel or extraordinary humanitarian circumstances, but approval is not guaranteed. If your card expires while you’re abroad, your permanent resident status does not expire—but the expired card can create boarding and re-entry complications. File Form I-90 early (at least 6 months before expiration) and bring your receipt notice if you need to travel while your renewal is pending.

For a comprehensive overview of how green card renewal timing fits into the broader context of travel limits, continuous residence requirements, and citizenship planning, see our complete guide to green card travel, continuous residence, and physical presence.

This guide explains Form I-90 renewal requirements, common travel scenarios, and strategies to avoid problems when your green card expires while you’re traveling internationally.

Green Card Expiration vs. Permanent Resident Status

Many green card holders worry that an expired green card means they’ve lost their permanent resident status. This is not true.

Your permanent resident status is permanent—it does not expire. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) Section 101(a)(20) defines a lawful permanent resident as someone who has been granted permanent residence and whose status has not been terminated. That status continues regardless of whether your physical green card is valid.

Your green card (the physical plastic card) expires every 10 years and must be renewed. Think of it like a driver’s license: your license expires periodically, but that doesn’t mean you lose your right to drive—you just need to renew the license to prove you still have that right.

Why the Expiration Date Matters

Even though your status doesn’t expire, the expiration date on your green card matters for several practical reasons:

Boarding international flights: Airlines check document validity before allowing you to board flights to the United States. Many airlines will refuse to board passengers with expired green cards, even if you can prove your status is still valid. Airlines face penalties from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) if they transport passengers without proper documentation, so they err on the side of caution.

Re-entry to the United States: When you arrive at a U.S. port of entry, CBP officers can verify your permanent resident status electronically, even if your card has expired. However, you may face additional questioning about why your card expired, how long you’ve been abroad, and whether you’ve maintained your permanent residence in the United States. The process takes longer and creates more scrutiny than simply presenting a valid green card.

Employment verification: Employers use Form I-9 to verify your work authorization. An expired green card may require additional documentation to prove you’re still authorized to work in the United States, creating delays in the hiring process.

Travel within North America: If you’re traveling by land from Canada or Mexico, an expired green card may not be accepted by border officials, even though your status is valid.

Driver’s license and state ID: Many states require a valid green card to issue or renew a driver’s license. An expired card can prevent you from obtaining a license until you renew your green card.

The key takeaway: Your status is permanent, but keeping your card current makes travel and daily life much simpler.

What is Form I-90 and When Do You Need It?

Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card) is the form lawful permanent residents use to renew or replace their green cards.

When to File Form I-90

You should file Form I-90 if:

• Your green card will expire within the next 6 months
• Your green card has already expired
• Your green card was lost, stolen, or damaged
• Your green card contains incorrect information (name, date of birth, etc.)
• You turned 14 years old and need to replace your child green card
• Your status was adjusted from conditional to permanent (though you may need Form I-751 instead)

Note for Conditional Green Card Holders: If you hold a 2-year conditional green card (CR-1 or IR-1 based on marriage or investment), you do NOT use Form I-90 to renew your card. Instead, you must file Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence) within the 90-day window before your card expires. Conditional residents who are planning travel must understand their I-751 filing timeline and unique considerations. Learn more in our conditional green card travel rules guide.

For this article, we’re focusing on renewal due to expiration—the most common reason green card holders file Form I-90.

Filing Requirements

To file Form I-90 for a standard renewal, you must:

1. Be physically present in the United States when you file
2. Appear in person for biometrics (fingerprints and photo) at a U.S. Application Support Center, typically within 4 to 8 weeks of filing
3. Provide supporting documents: Copy of current green card (front and back), government-issued photo ID
4. Pay the filing fee: $415 (online filing) or $465 (paper filing) as of 2025, according to the USCIS fee schedule. Biometric services are included—there is no separate biometrics fee as of April 1, 2024. Fee waivers are available via Form I-912 for qualifying applicants.

You can file Form I-90 online through your USCIS online account or by mail. Online filing is faster and allows you to track your case status electronically.

Processing Timeline

Form I-90 processing times vary significantly by USCIS service center. As of 2025, processing times have fluctuated sharply. Many law firms report median I-90 processing times of around 8 months, while USCIS’ own “80% of cases completed” metrics at some service centers are well over a year for certain renewal categories. Your exact timeline depends on your service center and case type. Check current processing times for your specific office using the USCIS Processing Times tool, as times may vary.

After you file:

1. Receipt notice (1 to 3 weeks): USCIS sends Form I-797 confirming they received your application
2. Biometrics appointment (typically 4 to 8 weeks): USCIS schedules you for fingerprints and photo
3. Card production: After biometrics, USCIS reviews your application and, once approved, sends your case to card production. The timing varies widely
4. New card arrival (1 to 2 weeks): Your new green card arrives by mail

USCIS allows you to renew your 10-year green card within the 6 months before it expires, and because processing times have become so unpredictable, many immigration attorneys recommend filing as soon as you enter that 6-month window to reduce the risk that your card expires before the new one is issued.

Can You File Form I-90 from Abroad?

The short answer is that you generally cannot complete a green card renewal while living or traveling outside the United States.

Why You Can’t File from Abroad

There is no way to complete all the steps of an I-90 renewal entirely from abroad because USCIS requires you to:

• File from a U.S. address: Your mailing address on Form I-90 must be a U.S. address where you can receive mail
• Appear for biometrics: You must provide fingerprints and a photo at a U.S. Application Support Center (there are no ASCs outside the United States)
• Be available for interview: Although interviews are rare for I-90 renewals, USCIS may request an in-person interview at a U.S. field office

Because the biometrics requirement is mandatory and cannot be waived, filing Form I-90 from abroad is not practical for most applicants.

Rare Exceptions

Exceptions to the U.S. filing requirement are extremely limited:

Military personnel: U.S. military members stationed abroad may be able to file Form I-90 through military channels. Contact your military legal assistance office for guidance.

Extraordinary humanitarian circumstances: In very rare cases (medical emergencies, natural disasters preventing return), USCIS may allow alternative arrangements. You must request an exception in writing and provide extensive documentation. Approval is not guaranteed.

For the vast majority of green card holders, you must return to the United States to renew your green card.

Common Green Card Renewal Travel Scenarios

Let’s look at real-world scenarios and the best strategy for each.

Scenario A: Card Expires Soon, Planning Long Trip

Situation: Your green card expires in 4 months. You’re planning a 6-month trip to your home country to help a family member.

Best Strategy:

1. File Form I-90 now (before you depart) so USCIS can process your application while you’re abroad
2. Wait for your receipt notice (Form I-797) before departing—this typically arrives within 1 to 3 weeks
3. Attend biometrics appointment before your trip, if possible (USCIS typically schedules biometrics 4 to 8 weeks after filing)
4. Travel with your receipt notice if your card expires while you’re abroad—for I-90 renewals filed on or after September 10, 2024, the receipt notice automatically extends the validity of your green card for up to 36 months from the card’s expiration date
5. Bring supporting documents for re-entry: expired green card, receipt notice, travel records, proof of U.S. ties

Why this works: You’ve filed before departing, showing USCIS you’re maintaining your permanent residence. The receipt notice proves your renewal is pending. When you return, your application will continue processing.

Potential issue: If your biometrics appointment is scheduled while you’re abroad, you may need to reschedule. Contact USCIS using their online system or call the USCIS Contact Center to request a new appointment date after you return.

Scenario B: Card Already Expired, Need to Travel

Situation: Your green card expired 2 months ago. You need to travel urgently for a family emergency.

Best Strategy:

1. File Form I-90 immediately to start the renewal process
2. Get your receipt notice (arrives in 1 to 3 weeks)
3. Travel with both your expired green card and your I-90 receipt notice
4. Contact your airline before booking to confirm they’ll board you with an expired card and receipt notice (policies vary by airline)
5. Prepare for CBP questioning when you re-enter—bring documents showing your U.S. ties: lease, employment letter, tax returns, utility bills

Why this might work: Some airlines will board passengers with expired green cards if they have a valid I-90 receipt notice. CBP can verify your status electronically and should admit you, although you may face additional questions.

Potential issue: Airlines are inconsistent. Some will refuse boarding regardless of your receipt notice. Call your specific airline to ask about their policy before purchasing tickets.

Alternative if boarding is denied: If the airline refuses to board you, you may need to visit the nearest U.S. consulate to obtain temporary carrier documentation (a boarding letter) that allows you to board your flight. This is a single-use document valid only for immediate return to the United States.

Scenario C: Planning Extended Travel (12+ Months)

Situation: You’re planning to be abroad for 18 months and your green card expires in 8 months.

Best Strategy:

1. File Form I-90 now (at least 6 months before your card expires)
2. Consider filing Form I-131 (reentry permit) in addition to Form I-90 if you’ll be abroad for more than 6 months
3. Attend both biometrics appointments before departing (I-90 and I-131 require separate biometrics)
4. Understand the limitations: A reentry permit (Form I-131) allows you to be abroad for up to 2 years without abandonment concerns, but it does NOT preserve continuous residence for naturalization purposes if you’re abroad for 12 months or longer
5. Decide your priority: If U.S. citizenship is your goal, reconsider staying abroad for more than 6 months—understand how continuous residence affects your citizenship timeline. If maintaining your green card is your only goal, a reentry permit protects your status.

Why you might need both forms:

• Form I-90 renews your green card (the physical card)
• Form I-131 protects your re-entry rights during absences up to 2 years

These forms serve different purposes. You may need both if you’re planning extended travel and your card is expiring.

Important distinction: If you’re planning to apply for U.S. citizenship in the future, understand the difference between continuous residence and physical presence. Extended absences affect both requirements. Learn more about how long you can travel outside the U.S. with a green card without jeopardizing your status.

Scenario D: Card Lost or Stolen While Abroad

Situation: Your green card was lost or stolen while you’re traveling overseas.

Best Strategy:

1. Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate immediately
2. File a police report in the country where your card was lost (the consulate may request this)
3. Request a boarding foil (temporary I-551 stamp in your passport) or file Form I-131A (Application for Travel Document - Carrier Documentation) if required by the consulate
4. Pay the Form I-131A fee if filing: $575 as of 2025 (if the consulate requires formal application rather than issuing a stamp)
5. File Form I-90 once you’re back in the United States to replace your lost green card
6. Pay the I-90 replacement fee: $415 (online filing) or $465 (paper filing), with biometric services included

Why this works: U.S. consulates can issue temporary documentation (boarding foil or carrier documentation via Form I-131A) that allows you to board your return flight. Once you’re back in the U.S., you can file Form I-90 to replace your lost green card.

What a boarding foil is: A boarding foil is a temporary I-551 stamp placed in your passport by a U.S. consulate. It serves as temporary evidence of your permanent resident status and is valid for a single entry to the United States (usually valid for 30 days to 1 year). Some consulates may require you to file Form I-131A (Application for Travel Document - Carrier Documentation) for formal carrier documentation instead of—or in addition to—issuing a stamp. This allows you to board your flight and be admitted by CBP when you arrive.

Alternative if consulate is unavailable: If you cannot reach a U.S. consulate (remote location, consulate closed), you may need to contact the airline directly. Some airlines will accept a police report showing your green card was stolen, along with a photocopy of your green card (if you have one) or other proof of identity and status. For extended absences beyond 12 months due to unforeseen circumstances, you may need to apply for an SB-1 returning resident visa instead of attempting to re-enter with an expired or lost card.

Returning to the U.S. with an Expired Green Card

If your green card expires while you’re abroad, here’s what to expect when you return.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Procedures

When you arrive at a U.S. port of entry with an expired green card:

1. Present your expired green card to the CBP officer
2. Explain your situation: “My green card expired while I was abroad, but my permanent resident status is still valid”
3. Provide supporting documents: I-90 receipt notice (if you filed before traveling), travel records, proof of U.S. ties
4. Answer questions about your absence: purpose of trip, length of absence, ties to the United States, intent to maintain permanent residence

What CBP can verify: CBP officers have access to electronic systems that show your permanent resident status, even if your card has expired. They can see your entry and exit history, when your green card was issued, and whether your status has been terminated.

What CBP will ask: Officers may question why your card expired, whether you knew it was expiring before you left, and whether you’ve maintained your permanent residence in the United States. Be honest and provide documents showing your U.S. ties (job offer letter, lease or mortgage, family members in the U.S., evidence you filed taxes as a U.S. resident).

What CBP may determine: If CBP believes you have abandoned your permanent resident status due to the length of your absence or lack of U.S. ties, they may ask you to sign Form I-407 (Record of Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status). You are NOT required to sign this form. If CBP questions your status, you can request a hearing before an immigration judge to explain your circumstances. Consult an immigration attorney if this situation arises.

Airline Boarding Issues

The bigger challenge is often getting the airline to let you board your flight to the United States.

Why airlines are strict: Airlines face financial penalties from CBP if they transport passengers who are denied entry to the United States. To avoid these penalties, airlines check documents carefully before boarding and tend to be very conservative about expired documents.

What airlines may ask for:

• Valid (not expired) green card
• If expired: I-90 receipt notice showing renewal is pending
• If no receipt notice: Carrier documentation or boarding foil from U.S. consulate

Airline policy varies: Some airlines are lenient if you have your expired card plus I-90 receipt notice. Others refuse to board anyone with an expired card, regardless of other documentation. Call your airline at least 48 hours before your flight to ask about their specific policy.

If boarding is denied: Visit the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to request temporary travel documentation. The consulate can issue a boarding foil (I-551 stamp) in your passport or carrier documentation (one-time boarding letter) that allows you to board your flight.

When to File Form I-90 Before Traveling

Timing is critical if you’re planning international travel and your green card is expiring soon.

Recommended Timeline: File 6 Months Before Expiration

USCIS allows you to renew your 10-year green card within the 6 months before it expires, and because processing times have become so unpredictable, many immigration attorneys recommend filing as soon as you enter that 6-month window to reduce the risk that your card expires before the new one is issued.

Why 6 months?

• Recent data and law-firm analyses show median I-90 timelines around 8 months, but USCIS’s “80% of cases completed” estimates for some centers are over a year, and they fluctuate a lot
• You may file up to 6 months before expiration without affecting your application
• Filing early ensures you receive your receipt notice and can attend biometrics before your card expires

What if you wait until the last minute? You can file Form I-90 even after your card has already expired. There is no penalty for late filing. However, if you need to travel with an expired card, you may face boarding and re-entry challenges.

If You’re Planning Travel Soon

If you have upcoming travel and your card expires within 6 months:

1. File Form I-90 now (before you depart, if possible)
2. Wait for your receipt notice before traveling—it serves as temporary evidence of status
3. Try to attend biometrics before your trip (appointments are typically scheduled 4 to 8 weeks after filing)
4. Contact USCIS to reschedule if your biometrics appointment falls during your trip

Can you reschedule biometrics? Yes. If your biometrics appointment is scheduled while you’re abroad, you can request a new appointment date using your USCIS online account or by calling the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283. Explain that you’re currently overseas and request an appointment after your return date.

Receipt Notice as Temporary Evidence

When USCIS receives your Form I-90 application, they send you a receipt notice (Form I-797) confirming your application is pending. For I-90 renewals filed on or after September 10, 2024, this receipt notice automatically extends the validity of your green card for up to 36 months from the card’s expiration date. When presented together with your expired green card, the receipt notice serves as temporary proof of your lawful permanent resident status, work authorization, and travel authorization.

What the receipt notice (combined with expired card) allows you to do:

• Prove to employers that you’re authorized to work (for Form I-9 employment verification)
• Travel internationally and re-enter the United States (when presented with expired card)
• Demonstrate you’re taking steps to maintain valid documentation
• Show airlines and CBP that your green card renewal is pending

What the receipt notice does NOT do:

• Guarantee airlines will board you if your green card has expired (airline policies vary—some may require additional documentation)
• Exempt you from CBP questioning about your expired card or travel history
• Serve as standalone proof without the expired card (both documents must be presented together)

Pro tip: Make several photocopies of your receipt notice and keep them in different places (wallet, luggage, email as PDF). If you lose your receipt notice while traveling, you can print a copy from your USCIS online account.

Form I-90 vs. Form I-131: Understanding the Difference

Many green card holders confuse Form I-90 (green card renewal) with Form I-131 (reentry permit). These are completely different forms with different purposes.

Form I-90: Renews Your Green Card

• Purpose: Replace or renew your physical green card
• When to use: Your card is expiring, expired, lost, stolen, or contains errors
• Processing time: Highly variable; median around 8 months, but 80% completion estimates at some service centers well over a year (as of 2025, fluctuates frequently)
• Cost: $415 (online filing) or $465 (paper filing), biometric services included
• What it does: Gives you a new green card valid for 10 years
• What it does NOT do: Does not protect you from abandonment during extended travel, does not preserve continuous residence for citizenship

Form I-131: Protects Re-Entry Rights

• Purpose: Obtain permission to re-enter the United States after extended travel (up to 2 years)
• When to use: You’re planning to be abroad for more than 6 months but less than 2 years
• Processing time: 4 to 12 months (as of 2025, varies by service center)
• Cost: $630 as of 2025 (biometric services included, no separate biometrics fee as of April 1, 2024)
• What it does: Allows you to remain abroad for up to 2 years without automatically being treated as having abandoned your residence and strongly supports your claim that you intended to maintain permanent residence when you re-enter the United States
• What it does NOT do: Does not preserve continuous residence for naturalization if you’re abroad 12 months or longer, does not renew your green card

When You Might Need Both

You may need to file both forms if:

• Your green card is expiring AND you’re planning extended travel (more than 6 months)
• You want to maintain your permanent resident status during a long absence AND need a valid green card for re-entry
• You’re working abroad temporarily and your green card will expire before you return

Example: You’re a green card holder planning to work abroad for 18 months starting in 3 months. Your green card expires in 7 months.

• File Form I-90 now to renew your green card (processing median is around 8 months, though some service centers’ 80% completion estimates are well over a year, so it may not arrive before you leave—but you’ll have your receipt notice)
• File Form I-131 now to obtain a reentry permit (processing takes 4 to 12 months, and you must be in the U.S. when you file)
• Attend biometrics for both applications before you depart
• Arrange delivery of your reentry permit: USCIS can mail it to a U.S. consulate abroad, or you can have someone in the U.S. forward it to you
• Your new green card will arrive at your U.S. address while you’re abroad (have someone collect your mail or use a mail forwarding service)

Learn more: Read our complete guide to Form I-131 reentry permits for detailed application instructions, processing timelines, and limitations.

Practical Green Card Renewal Travel Checklist

Use this checklist to avoid problems when renewing your green card while traveling or planning travel:

Before You Depart:

• Check your green card expiration date—file Form I-90 if it expires within 6 months
• File Form I-90 online through your USCIS online account (faster processing than mail)
• Wait for your I-90 receipt notice before departing (arrives in 1 to 3 weeks)
• Attend your biometrics appointment before your trip, if possible
• If traveling for more than 6 months, consider filing Form I-131 (reentry permit) in addition to Form I-90
• Make photocopies of your green card (front and back), I-90 receipt notice, and passport
• Contact your airline to confirm their policy on expired green cards and receipt notices
• Track your trips to maintain records of your absences—keep a log of departure and return dates

While You’re Abroad:

• Monitor your USCIS online account for updates on your I-90 application
• If you receive a biometrics appointment notice while abroad, contact USCIS immediately to reschedule
• Keep digital and physical copies of your documents: green card, receipt notice, travel records
• If your card is lost or stolen, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate immediately
• If your card expires while you’re abroad, gather documents showing your U.S. ties: lease, employment letter, tax returns

Before Returning to the U.S.:

• Confirm your airline will board you (call at least 48 hours before departure)
• Bring your expired green card, I-90 receipt notice, and supporting documents
• If boarding is denied, visit the U.S. consulate to request boarding foil or carrier documentation
• Prepare for CBP questions: be ready to explain your absence, demonstrate U.S. ties, show your renewal is pending

After You Return:

• If you missed your biometrics appointment, reschedule through your USCIS online account
• Continue monitoring your case status online
• Update your mailing address if you moved while abroad (use USCIS Form AR-11)
• Your new green card will arrive by mail once approved (typically takes 1 to 2 weeks after approval)

Track Your Travel: Keeping accurate records of your trips is essential for future citizenship applications and proving you’ve maintained your permanent residence. Log each departure and return date, destination, and purpose of travel. This helps you monitor your physical presence in the United States and avoid accidentally breaking continuous residence for naturalization. Use our app to avoid calculation errors.

To understand how green card renewal timing, travel limits, reentry permits, and continuous residence all work together in your citizenship planning, see our complete green card travel guide.

Conclusion

Renewing your green card entirely from abroad is not realistic—you need a U.S. mailing address and must appear in person in the United States for biometrics. However, if you plan ahead and file early (at least 6 months before your card expires), you can minimize disruptions to your travel plans.

Key takeaways:

• Your permanent resident status does not expire when your green card expires—only the physical card becomes invalid
• File Form I-90 at least 6 months before your card’s expiration date to avoid travel complications
• If your card expires while you’re abroad, you can still return to the United States, but expect airline boarding issues and additional CBP questioning
• Bring your I-90 receipt notice, expired green card, and proof of U.S. ties when you travel
• If you’re planning extended travel (more than 6 months), consider applying for a reentry permit (Form I-131) in addition to renewing your green card

Don’t wait until your green card expires to start the renewal process. File Form I-90 early, keep copies of all your documents, and track your trips to maintain strong records of your permanent residence in the United States.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about green card renewal and travel and is not legal advice. Immigration law is complex, and individual circumstances vary. For advice about your specific situation, consult a qualified immigration attorney. The information in this article is current as of November 2025.