Am I too late for N-400?

[Zippydoodah 3]

Hello,

My GC runs out in December 2016. Yes. I know. I didn't remember until now. I can't find any information on the USCIS website about how long you can have left on your GC to apply for citizenship. Does anyone know? I'd rather apply than have to pay for another 10 year GC, but I fear I am too late. I have to send to TX which says it is processing N400 from Sept. 2015, but if I check N-400 for my local office in St. Albans it says it is 4 months processing. I have no clue what to do now.

Thanks for any expert advice!

[Zippydoodah 3]

Forgot to add -- I called the info line and they told me that I can apply for N400, and if my GC runs out while waiting for everything I do not have to renew my GC unless I want to travel. Does this sound right? I always thought once my GC runs out I'm technically illegal? They said they generally recommend having 6 months left on your GC to apply for N400, but that they would not come after me if it runs out while applying. Does this sound safe?

[arken 4,197]

Hello,

My GC runs out in December 2016. Yes. I know. I didn't remember until now. I can't find any information on the USCIS website about how long you can have left on your GC to apply for citizenship. Does anyone know? I'd rather apply than have to pay for another 10 year GC, but I fear I am too late. I have to send to TX which says it is processing N400 from Sept. 2015, but if I check N-400 for my local office in St. Albans it says it is 4 months processing. I have no clue what to do now.

Thanks for any expert advice!

I'm assuming you are an LPR and your 10 year GC is expiring. If so, just file for citizenship ASAP. You don't have to renew your GC. Even if your GC is expired, you are still a permanent resident.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Do you have a 10 year green card or a 2 year conditional green card?

[Cheezees 1,514]

uscis.gov/forms

The above link has all the information you need about citizenship process and the N-400 form. Good luck!

[Zippydoodah 3]

Do you have a 10 year green card or a 2 year conditional green card?

10 year runs out this December.

[EM_Vandaveer 2,408]

10-year GC expiring does NOT make you "illegal", it's the card expiring, not your status as LPR.

Go ahead and file your N-400.

[aaron2020 11,651]

You're fine.

File your naturalization if you meet the requirements.

Your 10 years green card expiring does not terminate your LPR status.

It's okay if your green card expires while you naturalize.

[Zippydoodah 3]

Thanks for all the answers. I always thought I had to hold a GC no matter what unless I became a citizen.

When I ask the same question on the USCIS site under the "need help" pop up thingy it gives me this automated answer which does not agree with answers here, nor what I was told when I called them. (I am just making doubly sure before forking out money, and then they make me fork out more money for the GC because it has expired. :/)

"If you apply for naturalization 6 months or more before the expiration date on your Permanent Resident Card (formerly known as an Alien Registration Card or “Green Card”), you do not have to apply for a new card. However, you may apply for a renewal card if you wish by using an “Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card” (Form I-90) and paying the appropriate fee. If you apply for naturalization less than 6 months before the expiration date on your Permanent Resident Card, or do not apply for naturalization until your card has already expired, you must renew your card."

[Cheezees 1,514]

Thanks for all the answers. I always thought I had to hold a GC no matter what unless I became a citizen.

When I ask the same question on the USCIS site under the "need help" pop up thingy it gives me this automated answer which does not agree with answers here, nor what I was told when I called them. (I am just making doubly sure before forking out money, and then they make me fork out more money for the GC because it has expired. :/)

"If you apply for naturalization 6 months or more before the expiration date on your Permanent Resident Card (formerly known as an Alien Registration Card or “Green Card”), you do not have to apply for a new card. However, you may apply for a renewal card if you wish by using an “Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card” (Form I-90) and paying the appropriate fee. If you apply for naturalization less than 6 months before the expiration date on your Permanent Resident Card, or do not apply for naturalization until your card has already expired, you must renew your card."

The automated answer above is correct and does not contradict what any of the posters so far have said to you. Good luck!

[Zippydoodah 3]

"If you apply for naturalization less than 6 months before the expiration date on your Permanent Resident Card, or do not apply for naturalization until your card has already expired, you must renew your card."

I am sorry to be a complete pain about this, but I AM applying with less than 6 months before the expiration date on my Permanent Resident Card.

[Cheezees 1,514]

You're not a pain at all It just says that you will have to pay to renew your card, which you do. (You should only have an expired 10-yr GC if your application for naturalization is being processed). It seems you are just a few days/weeks late and will have to pay to renew the one you have.

[arken 4,197]

"If you apply for naturalization less than 6 months before the expiration date on your Permanent Resident Card, or do not apply for naturalization until your card has already expired, you must renew your card."

I am sorry to be a complete pain about this, but I AM applying with less than 6 months before the expiration date on my Permanent Resident Card.

You don't have to worry at all. USCIS can't say officially that you don't have to renew your GC because USCIS requires you to carry a valid GC all the time as a proof of permanent resident. All USCIS is trying to say is by renewing your GC, you will have a proof of your permanent residence in hand in case you don't get your citizenship by the expiry of your current GC. That doesn't mean you will be illegal once your GC expired. Unless you want one, you don't need one.

Depending on the field office or service centers, the processing time for GC could be 1 year. You could get your citizenship before you get your new GC, so what's the point on wasting over 400 dollars.

[Ortolan 381]

When you file for N-400, you'll get a NOA notice for your filing. Keep that with your green card. It shows your N-400 application is in process. Good luck!

[Zippydoodah 3]

What a great site. Thank you for everyone's advice!

I mailed my application yesterday so I can forget about it for a while again.