How long is the green card valid for ?

[Nida.f 2]

Once we get our green card after applying for i130 how long is it valid for? And when can you apply for Citizenship ?

[Merrytooth 5,748]

2 years if the Green card is a conditional one, then apply for ROC for 10 years Green card.

Renew the Green card every 10 years onward.

Apply Citizenship based on marriage to same US Citizen for the past 3 years -- wait for 3 years

Otherwise, wait for 5 years.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/chapter4.pdf

[mounir412 101]

2 years if the Green card is a conditional one, then apply for ROC for 10 years Green card.

Renew the Green card every 10 years onward.

Apply Citizenship based on marriage to same US Citizen for the past 3 years -- wait for 3 years

Otherwise, wait for 5 years.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/chapter4.pdf

[Nida.f 2]

Thank you

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Progress Reports to General Immigration-Related Discussion; topic is not a spouse visa case status update and covers different facets of US Immigration.

[NickD 203]

Expiration date is right on the green card, with a conditional, have to send in that I-751 exactly 90 days before it expires or else you will no longer be able to work or travel.

[Ryan H 3,812]

with a conditional, have to send in that I-751 exactly 90 days before it expires

The section of the sentence I put in bold is not correct. The soonest an I-751 can be filed is 90 days before expiration of the green card; however, an I-751 can be filed any time from when the 90 day window begins to the time the card expires.

[NickD 203]

The section of the sentence I put in bold is not correct. The soonest an I-751 can be filed is 90 days before expiration of the green card; however, an I-751 can be filed any time from when the 90 day window begins to the time the card expires.

Not if you live in a state where your employer can be fined $16,300.00 for employing an undocumented person, and you will be undocumented with an expired green card. You will no longer have a job and may never get it back because they will hire a replacement. Or if you plan to travel, can forget that also. If you have a probationary driver's license the expires at the same time as your green card, won't get that renewed either.

And then there is only four USCIS service centers that can process the I-751, and only about 145,000 average per year. If one you were told to send your application to feels they received too many, may ship it across the country and misplace it. If you don't hear anything within that 90 day period, better make an infopass appointment to get that I-551 in your current valid passport. But for that you also need proof it was sent in.

Best proof is a complete copy of your application and a canceled personal check to the USCIS that they received it. That is one good thing about the USCIS, practically instantly cashing your check. You just don't walk in and expect them to believe you that you already sent your application in, they want proof of that.

At best, you will receive a I-793C stating they received your application and that your green card is extended for a year, but try to explain that to your employer or the DMV. What in the hell is a one year extension notice?

If you wait to the very end to send in your application, you are only hurting one person, yourself. You are giving very bad advice.

[Ryan H 3,812]

If you wait to the very end to send in your application, you are only hurting one person, yourself. You are giving very bad advice.

At no time did I suggest people wait until the last minute and I would never recommend anyone do so. I simply corrected an inaccurate statement you made which was, "have to send in that I-751 exactly 90 days before it expires." An I-751 can be sent 89 days, 88, days, 80 days, etc. before the card expires.

[NickD 203]

At no time did I suggest people wait until the last minute and I would never recommend anyone do so. I simply corrected an inaccurate statement you made which was, "have to send in that I-751 exactly 90 days before it expires." An I-751 can be sent 89 days, 88, days, 80 days, etc. before the card expires.

Well, stating you can wait till the last day isn't quite accurate, but neither was my statement of exactly 90 days. USCIS never explains how to count back, can either be the day your green card expires or the day before. If you send in your application dated the day before, your application will be rejected and sent back depending on which officer reads it for sending it a day too soon.

88 days is a good safe number to use. Other reasons your application can be rejected, like not typing in N/A in a blank or some other simple reason. Or more commonly, getting a request for more evidence, you really need all the time you can get for this application.