What Are the Main Causes of Delays in Green Card Renewal Process?

Key Takeaways

• USCIS green card renewal processing takes 18 to 24 months, longer for complex or policy-affected cases in 2025.
• Suspension on asylee and refugee green card processing causes significant backlogs and extended delays in 2025.
• New I-485 form requires concurrent medical exam (Form I-693), with incomplete docs causing Requests for Evidence delays.

Delays in the green card renewal process have become a pressing concern for many immigrants in the United States 🇺🇸. With changing policies, increased application volumes, and evolving procedural requirements, understanding the causes and implications of these delays is essential for applicants, legal professionals, and policymakers. This analysis aims to provide a clear, evidence-based overview of the factors contributing to green card renewal delays, using the most recent data and developments as of June 2025.

Purpose and Scope

The purpose of this analysis is to examine the main reasons behind delays in green card renewal, focusing on systemic, procedural, and policy-driven factors. It covers the impact of USCIS processing times, recent form changes, policy suspensions, and resource constraints. The scope includes both general renewal cases and specific challenges faced by vulnerable groups such as asylees and refugees. The analysis also explores practical implications for applicants and offers a step-by-step overview of the renewal process.

Methodology

This content is based on a review of official USCIS data, recent policy updates, and expert commentary from immigration law specialists. It incorporates statistics from USCIS reports, analysis from advocacy organizations, and direct references to official government resources. The findings are presented in a structured format, with visual descriptions to help readers understand trends and patterns. Where relevant, comparisons to previous years and policy periods are included to highlight changes over time.

Key Findings

• USCIS processing times for green card renewal have increased in 2025, with full adjudication often taking 18 to 24 months or longer, especially for complex cases.
• Policy suspensions affecting asylees and refugees, initiated during the Trump administration, continue to cause significant backlogs and extended delays for these groups.
• New form requirements, such as the updated Form I-485 and the need for a concurrent medical exam (Form I-693), have introduced additional steps that can slow down the process if not completed correctly.
• Resource constraints and high application volumes at USCIS contribute to ongoing backlogs, despite improvements in initial receipt processing.
• Visa Bulletin waiting periods add further delays for applicants who are not immediate relatives of U.S. citizens.
• Incomplete or incorrect documentation remains a common cause of individual delays, often resulting in Requests for Evidence (RFEs) that pause processing.

Data Presentation and Visual Descriptions

USCIS Processing Times and Application Volumes

• In January 2025 alone, USCIS received 92,424 green card applications, including 12,394 from asylees and refugees. This high volume has led to significant backlogs.
• Receipt notices for standard green card renewal cases are typically issued within three business days, but the full adjudication process can take 18 to 24 months or more, especially if additional documentation or waivers are required.
• For family-based cases, the I-130 petition (used to establish a qualifying relationship) takes about 14 to 15 months if filed by a U.S. citizen. The overall renewal or reapplication process can extend beyond two years.

Visual Description:
Imagine a timeline stretching from the day an application is submitted. The first marker appears within a week, showing the receipt notice. Several months later, another marker indicates the biometrics appointment. The final marker, representing the decision, may not appear until 18 to 24 months have passed, especially if the case is complex or involves additional steps.

Policy Suspensions and Impact on Vulnerable Groups

• The suspension of green card processing for asylees and refugees remains in effect as of 2025. This policy, started during the Trump administration, has created a backlog that disproportionately affects these applicants.
• Before the suspension, USCIS took 14 to 15.5 months to approve 80% of asylee and refugee applications. Now, many cases are delayed even longer, with some applicants waiting years for a decision.

Visual Description:
Picture a queue where most applicants move forward slowly, but asylees and refugees are held in a separate, much slower line. Their progress is stalled by policy barriers, resulting in longer waits and growing frustration.

New Form Requirements and Documentation Challenges

• In December 2024, USCIS released a new version of Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status), requiring applicants to submit a concurrent medical examination (Form I-693).
• If applicants fail to submit a complete or properly certified medical form, USCIS issues a Request for Evidence (RFE), which pauses the process until the applicant responds.
• Incomplete or incorrect documentation is a leading cause of delays, as it triggers additional review and correspondence.

Visual Description:
Think of the application process as a relay race. If the baton (documentation) is dropped or incomplete, the runner (applicant) must stop and fix the mistake before continuing, losing valuable time.

Complexity of Individual Cases

• Cases involving revocation or reapplication after revocation often take much longer, sometimes 18 to 24 months or more. These cases require extra legal review and scrutiny.
• Applicants with criminal records, immigration violations, or other complicating factors face additional background checks, which can further extend processing times.

Visa Bulletin Waiting Periods

• Some applicants, especially those who are not immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, must wait for their priority date to become current according to the Visa Bulletin before they can file for renewal or adjustment of status.
• This waiting period is separate from USCIS processing time and can add months or even years to the overall timeline.

Visual Description:
Imagine a two-stage waiting room. The first room is for those waiting for their turn based on the Visa Bulletin. Only after their number is called can they move to the second room, where USCIS processing begins.

Resource Constraints and Staffing

• USCIS has faced staffing shortages and resource constraints, which slow down the adjudication process. While receipt notices are processed quickly, the detailed review and decision-making require more personnel and time.
• High application volumes continue to strain available resources, making it difficult for USCIS to reduce backlogs.

Comparisons, Trends, and Patterns

• Processing times have increased compared to previous years, but remain similar to pre-pandemic levels. The main difference is the higher volume of applications and the added complexity from new form requirements.
• Policy suspensions affecting asylees and refugees are a significant departure from earlier practices, where these groups had more predictable processing times.
• The introduction of new forms and documentation requirements reflects a trend toward greater security and compliance, but also creates transitional delays as applicants and legal professionals adjust to the changes.
• Resource constraints have been a recurring issue, but the current backlog is exacerbated by the sheer number of applications and the complexity of individual cases.

Evidence-Based Conclusions

• Green card renewal delays are driven by a combination of high application volumes, policy changes, new procedural requirements, and resource limitations.
• Applicants should expect longer wait times, especially if their case is complex or falls into a category affected by policy suspensions.
• Careful preparation and submission of complete, accurate documentation can help minimize individual delays, but systemic factors may still result in extended processing times.
• Vulnerable groups, such as asylees and refugees, face additional challenges due to ongoing policy suspensions and lack of transparency in decision-making.
• USCIS is making efforts to improve initial processing, but the overall timeline remains long due to factors beyond the agency’s immediate control.

Limitations

• This analysis is based on data and policy updates available as of June 2025. Future changes in immigration law, policy, or USCIS procedures could alter the landscape.
• Individual processing times can vary widely depending on case complexity, documentation quality, and other factors not fully captured in aggregate data.
• Some information, particularly regarding internal USCIS resource allocation and decision-making, is not publicly available and may affect the accuracy of predictions.

Step-by-Step Green Card Renewal Process

1. Prepare and Submit Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card) for standard renewals, or Form I-485 for adjustment of status cases.
   • Form I-90 (USCIS official page)
   • Form I-485 (USCIS official page)
2. Include the updated medical examination form (Form I-693) with your application.
   • Form I-693 (USCIS official page)
3. Receive a receipt notice from USCIS, typically within three business days.
4. Attend a biometrics appointment for fingerprinting and background checks.
5. Respond to any Requests for Evidence (RFEs) if USCIS finds missing or incomplete documentation.
6. Wait for USCIS to make a decision on your renewal or reapplication. This can take 18 to 24 months or longer for complex cases.
7. Receive your new green card if your application is approved.

For more details, visit the official USCIS green card renewal page.

Practical Guidance for Applicants

• Start the renewal process early. Given the long processing times, submit your application well before your current green card expires.
• Double-check all documentation. Make sure forms are complete, accurate, and properly certified, especially the medical exam (Form I-693).
• Monitor your case status. Use the USCIS case status tool to track progress and respond quickly to any RFEs.
• Watch the Visa Bulletin. If you are not an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen, check the Visa Bulletin to know when you can file.
• Seek legal advice for complex cases. If your case involves revocation, waivers, or legal complications, consult an immigration attorney.

Expert Perspectives

Immigration law professionals stress the importance of early and thorough preparation for green card renewal. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, delays are often caused by incomplete documentation or misunderstanding of new requirements, such as the need for a concurrent medical exam. Advocates for asylees and refugees continue to call for greater transparency and expedited processing for vulnerable groups, noting that current policies can leave applicants in limbo for years.

USCIS officials acknowledge the challenges posed by high application volumes and resource constraints. They highlight improvements in initial receipt processing and ongoing efforts to streamline workflows, but caution that overall adjudication times will remain long until backlogs are reduced.

Future Outlook

• No immediate end to policy suspensions for asylees and refugees is expected, meaning continued delays for these groups.
• USCIS may introduce further refinements to forms and procedures, aiming to balance security with efficiency.
• Staffing and resource improvements could help reduce processing times in the future, but high demand will likely keep wait times elevated for the foreseeable future.

Conclusion

Delays in green card renewal are the result of multiple, overlapping factors. While applicants can take steps to reduce individual delays—such as submitting complete documentation and responding promptly to USCIS requests—systemic issues like policy suspensions, high application volumes, and resource constraints continue to drive long wait times. Staying informed about current requirements, monitoring case status, and seeking professional guidance when needed are the best ways to navigate this complex process.

For the most up-to-date information on green card renewal, including official forms and instructions, visit the USCIS Green Card Renewal Information page.

By understanding the causes and patterns of green card renewal delays, applicants and advocates can better prepare for the challenges ahead and work toward more efficient, fair immigration processes in the United States 🇺🇸.

Learn Today

USCIS → U.S. agency managing immigration benefits and processing, including green card applications and renewals.
Form I-485 → Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, required for status adjustment or green card renewal.
Form I-693 → Medical examination form required with Form I-485 to verify applicant’s health status.
Request for Evidence (RFE) → Official USCIS notice requesting additional documentation to continue processing an application.
Visa Bulletin → Monthly publication that determines visa availability and priority date eligibility for applicants.

This Article in a Nutshell

Green card renewal delays have surged in 2025 due to policy suspensions, increased USCIS workloads, and new medical exam requirements, extending processing times to 18–24 months or longer, notably impacting asylees, refugees, and complex cases while compelling applicants to prepare documentation meticulously.
— By VisaVerge.com