Whether you are in the process of applying for permanent residency or you have been a U.S. permanent resident for some time, there are some important things you should know about green cards (or, as they are also known, permanent resident cards). We’ll point out some of these things below.
If, however, you are just getting on the path to changing your immigration status, don’t hesitate to contact an experienced Los Angeles immigration attorney at the Hanlon Law Group for experienced help moving forward.
Green Cards – Here’s What You Should Know
1 – Green cards can be conditional or temporary.
In fact, when someone is granted status as a conditional permanent resident, that individual’s green card will only be valid for two (2) years. To change a conditional green card into a permanent resident card, a petition to remove the condition has to be filed with USCIS within 90 days of the card’s expiration date.
If this step is not taken:
- The condition won’t be removed.
- The conditional card cannot be renewed.
- The individual will lose his permanent resident status.
2 – Green cards don’t have to be signed.
Specifically, USCIS may waive the requirement to sign green cards when card holders are:
- Children younger than 18
- Individuals who are physically disabled and, consequently, unable to sign green cards
When these waivers have been granted, the area where the cardholder’s signature should be will have the phrase “Signature Waived” instead.
3 – Green cards expire and have to be renewed.
In general, green cards are issued for 10-year periods. This means that, a decade after the date on which a green card is issued, the card will expire and will have to be renewed for the cardholder to maintain his permanent resident status. While renewal of green cards can be done online or via mail, it must be done within 6 month of the card’s expiration date.
If you are holding an old version of the card (such as an alien registration card), this antiquated version will need to be replaced with a valid green card (either now or within three months of your current card expiring).
Los Angeles Immigration Attorney at the Hanlon Law Group, P.C.
Do you need help securing a green card or resolving any immigration issues? If so, you can turn to a trusted Los Angeles immigration attorney at the Hanlon Law Group, P.C. For more than 15 years, our lawyers have been successfully representing clients in various types of immigration cases.
Our firm offers state-of-the art technology to deliver these services efficiently while also providing each of our clients with old-fashioned personal service. That means you can count on your case progressing as quickly as possible while feeling confident that your Hanlon Law Group lawyer will answer your questions quickly, clearly and honestly.
Contact Us
To learn more about our citizenship, immigration and deportation defense services contact us today by calling (626) 684-3712 or (866) 227-5527 or by emailing us using the form at the upper right-hand side of the screen. From our office in Pasadena, we serve clients throughout the Los Angeles area, across the state of California and from around the world.
We offer free, confidential initial consultations to provide potential clients with expert advice regarding their immigration law needs. Additionally, we are able to provide immigration legal services in various languages, including in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, Bahasa Indonesian, Tagalog and Fukienese.
