In this video, I'd like to discuss with all of you changes as it relates to procedures for extending
green cards. If you have a green card or it's close to time to renew your green card, you'll
definitely want to stay tuned to this video for important updates. Before I dive into that topic
I'd like to quickly introduce myself and my firm. We are the immigration firm for couples and we're
dedicated exclusively to assisting couples in navigating the immigration process. If you haven't
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USCIS announced at the beginning of 2021 that they are changing policies and procedures as it
relates to extensions for green cards. If you have a 10-year green card
you have to renew it every 10 years so you can continue to have proof
of your status and continue to be a lawful permanent resident. This is different for
individuals who have a two-year green card, that is something called removal conditions
and we have separate videos about that but I just wanted to make that clarification.
If you have a 10-year green card and you're needing to renew your green card
you will file an application for renewal or replacement of your green card.
What used to happen is you would receive a receipt notice from immigration that they had
received your application and you would have to wait to receive your green card for proof that
you were still a resident. If your card had expired, you would have to go to a USCIS
office to receive a stamp on your passport of proof that you were still a resident. That was the
past. What has changed in 2021 is now when you apply to renew your green card, you'll receive
a notification from immigration, a receipt notice, but this receipt notice is different
It actually is going to extend your green card by 12 months from the date on your card
That's really great news. This is something that USCIS does for removal of conditions. People who
apply for removal of conditions get a notification that extends their green card. Now they're
doing this for individuals who are renewing their 10-year green card. You'll get a notification
that says, "We received your application and while you wait for us to make a decision and
issue your new green card, this receipt notice plus your green card is proof
that you are still a resident and it will be valid for 12 months from the date on your card."
This change was implemented in the beginning of 2021 and I will post the official announcement
in the notes below this video. It's been since the beginning of 2021
and so, anybody who's applied after January of 2021 will receive that notice
that extends their card. If you've already applied and you applied before 2021
and you haven't had a biometrics appointment yet, immigration will actually be sending you
a new notification that will extend your green card. That's great.
If you have a biometrics appointment scheduled, what will happen is when you go to
your biometrics appointment, that's the appointment where they take your fingerprints, they're actually
going to put a sticker on your card that will give you proof of that 12-month extension.
They're helping the transition to be able to have everybody have proof of their green
card extension while they wait because there are long delays to receive
your green card. That's a great way to bridge the gap. This really is great news.
If you have a green card that's more than 12 months expired or if you've lost it
or had it stolen, hopefully that hasn't happened but if that's the case, then you
can make an appointment called an added stamp appointment and they can put a special stamp in
your passport that shows you're still a resident and you'd have to meet certain conditions for that
There is still a way to be able to prove you're still a resident.
This is great news. We are excited to be able to announce this and again, I will post that
link from USCIS, that official announcement in the notes below so you can reference that.