10 year green card

[JelloShotGirl 0]

Okay here is the scenario:

what happens after my husband gets his 10 year green card...if he doesnt elect to become a US citizen, what is the procedure prior to the 10 year greencard expiring??? thanks!

[Cassie 8]

You file to renew in about 9.5 years.

[lucyrich 20]

Once you get a 10 year card, your status never expires. But the card, which is evidence of status, does expire after 10 years. You need the card in order to get a job, travel, etc. So you've got to file an I-90 every ten years or so to get a new card. I believe there's no penalty for filing late right now (I'm not sure of that, though).

The I-90 process is very straightforward. You can even file it electronically. They don't re-examine your relationship or anything like that. They just want a new fee, biometrics, and photo.

I don't have a crystal ball, but if I had to guess, I'd guess that something about the process will change sometime in the next ten years.

Though your status never expires due to the passing of a date on the calendar, it can be lost for various reasons. It can be abandoned if you stay out of the US for an extended time. It can be lost for committing certain crimes, or failing to file taxes. You'll have to file a change of address form every time you move (immigrant must file AR-11, and sponsor must file an I-865, if an I-864 affidavit of support is in effect). You can escape these issues by getting US citizenship.