You pull out your wallet and notice that your green card is expiring soon, or worse, you realize it already expired months ago, and nobody at USCIS has sent you anything. In that moment, practical worries rush in at once. Will you still be able to renew your North Carolina driver’s license, keep your job in Greensboro, or get on a plane to visit family abroad and come back without problems?
If you live in Greensboro and your life, work, and family are here, your green card is more than a piece of plastic. It is the document you use to prove you belong in the United States, even if you have held permanent resident status for years or decades. Confusing USCIS rules, slow processing times, and stories from friends can make the renewal process feel risky and unpredictable.
At Burgos Law, a Latina-led immigration law firm based in Greensboro, we work only on immigration cases, and we regularly guide permanent residents through green card renewals and replacements. Many of us are immigrants or come from immigrant families, so we understand both the legal side and the personal fear that comes with any question about status. In this guide, we share how green card renewal actually works for Greensboro residents, what to watch for, and when it makes sense to get legal help before you file.
What Green Card Renewal Really Means For Greensboro Residents
Many people walk into our office convinced that their permanent resident status disappeared the day the date on the card passed. In most situations, that is not how the law works. Lawful permanent resident status is your immigration status under United States law. The green card itself is the physical document that proves you have that status. When the card expires, your status usually does not vanish automatically, but your ability to prove it in daily life becomes much harder.
In Greensboro, that proof matters everywhere. Employers must check your documents when you start a new job, and sometimes again later. The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles looks closely at your immigration documents before renewing or issuing a driver’s license or ID. Airlines and Customs and Border Protection officers look at your card if you travel outside the country and come back through airports like Raleigh-Durham International. An expired or missing card can turn routine tasks into stressful obstacles, even if your underlying status is still valid.
Most long-term permanent residents with a 10-year card use Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, to renew or replace it. Conditional residents, who usually have a two-year card based on a new marriage, follow a different process to remove conditions instead of filing a standard I-90. We often see people mix those two processes up, which can cause serious problems. So the first step is to be clear about which type of green card you have and which path applies to you.
When To Start Your Green Card Renewal To Avoid Gaps
Timing is one of the biggest surprises for Greensboro residents. USCIS commonly advises permanent residents with 10-year cards to file Form I-90 about six months before the card expires. That sounds early until you look at how long the process can actually take. From what we see with North Carolina cases, it often takes several months, sometimes longer, from filing to receiving the new card, depending on USCIS workload and your specific situation.
Waiting until the last month before expiration leaves you almost no margin for delay. If USCIS takes longer than expected to issue your receipt, schedule biometrics, or print the new card, you can find yourself with an expired document while you are trying to renew a license, change jobs, or book a trip. We regularly help Greensboro clients who came to us after waiting too long, and the stress level is always much higher than it needs to be.
If your card has already expired, you usually can still file an I-90, but you should expect more friction in your daily life. Employers may ask extra questions. The DMV may be stricter about what they accept. Travel planning becomes more complicated. In those cases, we look at whether there is any urgent upcoming event, such as travel, job changes, or license renewal, and then build a renewal plan around those deadlines.
Step By Step: Filing Form I-90 For Green Card Renewal
Once you know you need to renew, Form I-90 is the official way to request a new card. At first glance, it can seem like a simple form, but the choices you make and the documents you attach matter. One key decision is the reason you select for filing. For example, someone whose 10-year card is expiring should choose the option for renewal of a card that has expired or will expire soon. A person whose card was lost or stolen needs to choose the correct replacement reason and usually should have a police report or incident report to match that choice.
Before filing, we encourage clients to gather certain documents. These often include a copy of the front and back of the current or most recent green card, a valid passport if available, any legal documents related to a name change, such as a marriage certificate or court order, and a police report or other documentation if the card was lost or stolen. Having these ready reduces the chance that USCIS questions your application or sends a Request for Evidence later.
You can submit Form I-90 online through a USCIS account or by mail. Many Greensboro residents prefer online filing because it allows quicker receipt of notices and easier status checks. Paper filing can work, but usually involves more mailing time and manual tracking. Either way, you typically receive a receipt notice with a case number. That case number lets you follow your case through the USCIS website and is also important evidence that your renewal is pending.
In our Greensboro practice, we often review I-90 drafts with clients before they file. We look at things like name spelling, immigration history, and reasons for filing to make sure those match records and current documents. Small inconsistencies, such as a different order of last names or an address that does not match other filings, can slow things down or trigger questions that are avoidable with careful review at the start.
What To Expect After You File: Receipts, Extensions, and Biometrics
After you submit your I-90, the first key document you usually receive is the I-797 receipt notice. Under current practices, that notice often includes language that extends the validity of your existing green card for a set period past the expiration date. For many Greensboro residents, that combination of expired card plus receipt serves as temporary proof of permanent resident status for work and travel. The exact extension period and wording can change, so it is important to read your notice carefully.
USCIS typically schedules a biometrics appointment where your fingerprints, photo, and signature are taken. For people living in Greensboro, these appointments are usually assigned at an Application Support Center within a reasonable driving distance in North Carolina. The notice lists the address, date, and time. You should bring the appointment notice, your green card if you still have it, and another form of identification. Many clients are surprised by how quick the actual appointment is once they arrive.
If you miss a biometrics appointment, USCIS can delay or even deny your case, but in some situations, you can request a reschedule. We have seen clients lose notices because of address problems or mail issues, which is why keeping your address updated with USCIS is critical. When clients work with us, we help track these notices and talk through any conflicts, such as work shifts or childcare, before a missed appointment becomes a bigger issue.
We also spend time explaining how to use the receipt and extension language in real life. For example, employers sometimes are not familiar with the latest USCIS wording. In those situations, we help clients understand which documents to show and may point them to government guidance that recognizes receipt notices as part of the process for updating records. That practical coaching can make the months of waiting feel less uncertain.
Working, Driving, and Traveling While Your Renewal Is Pending
Most permanent residents in Greensboro care less about the technical details of Form I-90 and more about whether they can keep living their lives while USCIS processes the renewal. For work, employers must follow federal Form I-9 rules, which require valid proof of work authorization. An unexpired green card is one of the acceptable documents. Once you file for renewal and receive a receipt that extends your card validity, that combination can often satisfy I-9 re-verification, although each employer’s HR team may handle documentation review differently.
For driving, the North Carolina DMV generally expects to see valid proof of lawful status when you renew or obtain a license. If your card has expired and you only recently filed an I-90, it can be confusing to figure out what to bring. Some Greensboro clients successfully use the expired card along with a current I-797 receipt notice that extends its validity. Others run into questions from DMV staff who are not familiar with the latest USCIS language. We help clients prepare their document set and walk through how to explain their situation before they spend hours waiting at a DMV office.
Travel is the area that often causes the most anxiety. If your card is still valid and you are filing early, travel usually feels straightforward. Once the card is expired or close to expiring, or if you are waiting on a replacement after loss or theft, travel planning becomes more sensitive. Airline staff and CBP officers focus heavily on your documents when you leave and re-enter the country. For some people, especially those with any past immigration complications or long absences, we recommend talking to an immigration lawyer in Greensboro before booking international trips while renewal is pending.
Our bilingual team regularly helps families balance work schedules, school calendars, and urgent travel needs while USCIS processes I-90 applications. Sometimes that means adjusting the filing date. Other times, it means helping a client understand what documentation they can safely rely on for a specific trip or deadline so they can make informed choices instead of last-minute guesses at the airport counter.
When A Green Card Renewal Is Not Simple
Many renewals are straightforward. However, some situations in Greensboro are more than just a card replacement, even though they start that way. One common example involves arrests or criminal convictions, including older ones. When you file for renewal, USCIS has an opportunity to look again at your record. Certain criminal issues can affect whether they see you as still eligible to remain a permanent resident. Filing an I-90 without understanding how those laws apply can be risky.
Long trips outside the United States or repeated extended stays abroad can also raise questions. If USCIS believes you may have abandoned your residence, they can use the renewal process to look more closely at your pattern of travel. We talk with clients about the dates and length of their trips, why they were away, and what ties they kept in Greensboro while they were gone. That context can be important if questions arise later.
Other red flags include old removal orders, past use of different names or identities, or any history of misrepresentation in immigration applications. In these situations, an I-90 might not be the only or the best step, and sometimes filing without a broader strategy can trigger problems that could have been anticipated. These cases deserve a careful review of the person’s history, not just a quick online form submission.
Because immigration is the only area we work in at Burgos Law, we stay focused on how USCIS is currently treating complex renewal cases. When someone comes to us with a criminal history, long absences, or other complications, we start by explaining the risks and possible paths in plain language. We do not promise outcomes, but we do make sure the person understands what filing might bring and what evidence or preparation might reduce those risks before we move forward.
Common Green Card Renewal Mistakes We See In Greensboro
Over the years, we have noticed the same avoidable mistakes showing up in green card renewal cases in Greensboro. One frequent issue is waiting until after the card expires to think about renewal, then filing in a rush without planning for work, travel, or DMV needs. Another is using the wrong form entirely, for example, a conditional resident filing Form I-90 instead of the form to remove conditions, which can lead to serious status problems down the line.
Inconsistent or incomplete information is another trap. People sometimes change their last name order, use different birth dates by mistake, or list addresses that do not match prior filings. These differences can look small but may cause USCIS to question the application more closely. Failing to update USCIS with a new address is also common. That can lead to biometrics notices and other important letters going to the wrong place, which in turn can result in missed appointments or even denials.
Travel decisions can also create problems. Some people travel internationally with a card that is days from expiring, assuming they will renew later, only to run into difficulties upon return. Others leave the United States for long periods while renewal is pending, not realizing how that pattern might look when USCIS reviews their file. Thinking ahead about these choices, rather than reacting after something goes wrong, makes a big difference.
Many Greensboro residents come to us after trying to handle renewal on their own and running into one of these issues. Often, an early review of the situation and a clear plan for timing, documents, and travel would have prevented months of extra stress. Our goal in those conversations is not to criticize past efforts, but to help clients understand what went wrong and how to move forward in a safer and more organized way.
How Our Greensboro Immigration Team Supports Your Green Card Renewal
Green card renewal in Greensboro should be more than just filling in blanks on a form. At Burgos Law, we start by looking at your full picture. We talk about when your card expires, any upcoming travel or work deadlines, your past immigration history, and any criminal or court issues that might intersect with your case. Then we help map out the right timing and process so the renewal supports your real life rather than disrupting it.
Our firm is Latina-led, and our team reflects the communities we serve in Greensboro. We are bilingual in English and Spanish, which means families can talk about sensitive topics in the language that feels most comfortable. We make space for your questions and your story, not just your documents. That helps us understand what matters most to you, whether it is keeping a job, staying licensed to drive, or making sure you can travel to see family and come back without surprises.
Communication is at the heart of how we handle renewals. We explain each step in plain language, share what each USCIS notice means, and talk through what to do with receipts, extensions, and biometrics appointments. Through calls, messages, virtual meetings, and online tools, we keep you updated so you are never left wondering what is happening with your case or what comes next.
If your green card renewal feels straightforward, we can give you clarity and help you file with confidence. If your situation is more complicated, we provide a space to look honestly at the risks and options so you are not navigating that alone. Taking the time to get it right now can protect your ability to work, drive, and stay close to your family in Greensboro for years to come.
For experienced guidance, turn to Burgos Law. Contact us or call (336) 739-5166 to secure a consultation. Se habla Español.