Green
card is the ticket to getting a comfortable job and to reside peacefully in the
US. It gives a sense of secure feeling to the individuals as they have the most
important legal rights granted to them. The easiest way of getting a green card
is by marrying a US citizen, as the citizens have the right to sponsor their
immediate relatives. Getting a green card is very important and at the same
time, keeping it fully updated and valid is also important. This is where the
green card renewal comes to play.
USCIS
has instructed all the Green card holders to have their cards with them all the
time, irrespective of where they travel or what they do. Recent laws have
authorized the police to pull up anyone that they feel to be suspicious and check
their legal status. In these circumstances, having a green card (fully valid
one) will be highly useful. Even though the Green cards are issued for the
purpose of granting permanent residency till the entire lifetime of the
individual, they come with a10 year validity period only. Green card holders
should go in for a green card renewal when the card is about to expire or has
already expired.
Before E-filing
This
is one of the recent facilities introduced by the USCIS to facilitate easy
submission of the green card renewal applications. Before starting this
process, the applicant should ensure that he/she is eligible for filing in I-90
(Application for Green card renewal). Following circumstances will not allow a
person to go in for e-filing
Removing the conditions on the
card cannot be done
Applying for a fee waiver
Residing outside the US ,
Guam, Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands
The card was never received or
received with an incorrect data due to an USCIS administrative error
Renewing within 30 days of
becoming a 14 year old when the existing card has expired or not expired.
Having
a Pc with a compatible browser and a secure, fast internet connection is the
next item on the list. Once the applicant logs in to the E-filing page of the
USCIS website, he/she must follow the instructions that are specific for each
and every form that are listed on the page. In order to login and e-file a
form, the applicant must first create a valid user account, which is very easy
and can be done within a few minutes.
USCIS
has taken the pains to list out the most common mistakes that applicants do
while filing in their applications, which leads to rejection or denial. It is
highly important that the applicants go through this before e-filing.
E-filing process
Once
the applicant has completed the application and submitted it, he/she should
ensure that it has been successfully done. The following are indications that
the application process has been successful
Receiving a receipt number on
the web confirmation page
Receiving a Form I-797 (Notice
of Action) with the confirmation receipt number through mail, that too
within 10 days of e-filing
Before
closing the e-filing page, applicants should note down the receipt number on
the confirmation page. Only then ‘finish’ has to be given which will generate a
PDF copy of the green card renewal application. Applicants are also advised to
save a soft copy of their completed application and confirmation receipt notice
on the computer or USB. It is essential that the applicants’ fingerprints and
photographs meet the USCIS stipulations as only then they will be processed
further.
