(UNITED STATES) The median Processing Time for Form I-90—the Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card—has jumped to about 8 months or longer as of September 21, 2025, according to recent federal data and legal analysts tracking the trend. That’s a surge of more than 900% compared with early 2025 and a sharp break from past years when many applicants received new 10-year Green Cards within three to four months.
The rise is among the steepest across all forms handled by USCIS. Analysts note a 471% increase in median I-90 timelines between January 31 and June 30, 2025. Applicants and employers alike are feeling the strain as renewals and replacements move much slower through the system.
Current operational picture
USCIS officials have not announced new measures to bring I-90 cases back to earlier speeds. The agency continues to face resource pressures alongside larger case volumes. The backlog of pending Green Card replacements has grown, and USCIS completed fewer overall cases in Q2 2025—about 2.7 million—than in many prior periods, a shortfall that feeds longer queues.
While people who file to renew or replace their cards do get temporary proof of status, the longer wait means planning ahead is essential—especially for those with upcoming job checks, mortgage applications, or international travel.
What I-90 covers and how processing works
The I-90 is the standard path for lawful permanent residents who need a replacement or renewal due to:
- expiration
- loss
- theft
- damage
- change to biographic data
Processing Time can vary by case and by workload at the service center. The current median around 8 months is far above historical norms (typically 3–4 months and often resolved well within a year). Some applicants will still finish earlier than the median, but the wide swing since late 2024 and early 2025 reflects a system stretched by higher scrutiny and more filings.
36-month automatic extension and temporary proof
To soften the impact of these delays, USCIS extended a key policy last year: a 36-month automatic extension of Green Card validity for those who properly file an I-90. The extension appears on the Form I-797C Notice of Action (receipt notice), which typically arrives about six weeks after filing.
That notice, paired with an expired Green Card, serves as temporary proof of lawful permanent resident status for work and travel. Advocates say the extended validity helps many people keep jobs and pass I-9 checks during the wait, but it does not replace the physical card and is not always recognized smoothly by every employer or agency, which can cause added stress.
The extended receipt notice is vital for many, but it is not a substitute for the physical card and may not be automatically recognized by all employers or agencies.
Typical case flow and timeline
Applicants commonly receive a biometrics appointment—fingerprints and a photo—about 1–2 months after submitting the I-90, though USCIS may waive biometrics in some cases. From there, cases move to adjudication, where applicants face the current 8-month median.
If approved, the new Green Card arrives by mail. If denied, USCIS issues a written decision with reasons. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the path remains clear and well-defined, but the timeline is the problem: people who used to plan around a short gap now need to assume a much longer wait and carry their receipt notice at all times.
Policy context and the data behind the slowdown
Legal service providers and policy analysts point to a combination of:
- rising application numbers
- operational backlogs
- tighter vetting since late 2024
These factors have added extra steps and review layers in parts of the system. Even modest changes in intake can push heavy volumes into queues. USCIS’s completion slowdown in Q2 2025 aligned with growing backlogs for multiple forms, with the I-90 among the hardest hit.
Historically, USCIS kept I-90 turnaround times at 3–4 months on average, with some periods faster. In late 2024 and early 2025, the median briefly sat near 0.8 months. By mid-2025, however, the median had climbed to around 8 months—an increase that outpaced most other benefit types.
There is no official timeline for returning to earlier speeds. The agency has discussed longer-term tools—such as shifting staff, improving digital workflows, and adopting new case management technology—but those steps have not yet restored normal times for I-90 cases.
USCIS has kept the 36-month extension in place for I-90 filers to protect their ability to work, travel, and access services while they wait. Attorneys say the policy has become vital in daily life, especially when tasks like renewing a driver’s license, onboarding for a new job, or re-entering after a short trip abroad hinge on having valid proof of status.
When employers or local agencies are unsure how to read the extension, applicants often must explain that the I-797C receipt notice extends the expired card’s validity for three years from the card’s listed expiration date.
Impact on applicants and practical steps
The current landscape calls for early action and careful record-keeping. Here’s what applicants should expect and do under today’s Processing Time:
- File well before the Green Card expires. With a median near 8 months, late filing can complicate work and travel plans.
- Keep the I-797C receipt notice with the expired card at all times. The notice triggers the 36-month extension and serves as your temporary proof of status.
- Expect biometrics to be scheduled about 1–2 months after filing; some applicants are waived. Watch mail and your online account for notices.
- For travel, carry your passport, expired Green Card, and receipt notice. Airlines and border officers will look for valid proof of permanent residence during check-in and inspection.
- For work, present the expired Green Card with the I-797C receipt under I-9 rules. Ask your employer’s HR team to review federal guidance if there’s confusion.
- If your case becomes stuck far beyond normal ranges, consider seeking help from counsel or reaching out to the USCIS Contact Center. Keep copies of all notices, delivery confirmations, and any change-of-address filings.
The official step-by-step process remains straightforward:
- File Form
I-90online or by mail with USCIS. - Receive the Form I-797C Notice of Action—usually within about six weeks—which contains the 36-month extension language.
- Attend the biometrics appointment if scheduled, typically within 1–2 months of filing.
- Wait while USCIS adjudicates the application; the median is currently around 8 months.
- If approved, receive the new 10-year Green Card by mail at your U.S. address.
- If denied, read the notice for reasons and next steps.
VisaVerge.com reports that legal clinics and community groups are increasingly focused on teaching people how to use the receipt notice in real-world settings. Examples include:
- A permanent resident in New Jersey who filed for a replacement after losing a wallet can keep working by showing the expired card and I-797C to the employer.
- A Massachusetts nurse with an expiring card can travel to see family abroad and return to the United States with the same set of documents.
The rule works the same for those who renew due to expiration and those who replace a lost, stolen, or damaged card.
Applicants should also:
- Monitor case updates online.
- Maintain current mailing addresses.
- Attend biometrics appointments and ensure mailable notices are deliverable.
- Use the USCIS online case status tool for quick checks.
The most comprehensive official guidance for the I-90—including eligibility, filing steps, and fee details—is on the USCIS form page. Filing online can reduce mail delays and help applicants receive notices faster through their accounts.
For many households, the delay has knock-on effects. Some employers are nervous when they see an expired card, even with the 36-month extension. Mortgage lenders sometimes ask for extra documents. DMVs vary in how they train staff. Many lawyers advise carrying printed copies of relevant pages from USCIS policy along with the receipt notice, and asking supervisors politely to double-check their manuals. Most issues clear up once the extension is understood, but it can take patience.
Outlook and what to watch
There is no public timeline for when I-90 Processing Time will return to pre-2025 levels. USCIS may continue adjusting staffing and case flows and could deploy more technology to speed intake and review, but those changes have not yet brought the median back down.
Applicants should:
- Keep an eye on agency updates.
- Prepare for a months-long wait even in routine cases.
- Plan extra time for urgent travel, job transitions, or name changes that affect identity documents.
- Maintain organized records and steady communication with employers or agencies that need to verify status.
Officials stress that the extension policy remains in effect as a safety net. Still, it is not a substitute for the physical card, which remains the simplest document to present across most settings. The best strategy, experts say, is early filing, careful tracking, and steady communication.
For official instructions, eligibility rules, filing options, and the latest agency policy for Form I-90, visit the USCIS page for the Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card: USCIS Form I-90.
Frequently Asked Questions
This Article in a Nutshell
As of September 21, 2025, the median processing time for USCIS Form I-90 has risen to about eight months, a dramatic increase from historical averages of three to four months and a more than 900% jump from early 2025. Analysts link the slowdown to higher filing volumes, operational backlogs, and tighter vetting since late 2024. USCIS completed fewer cases in Q2 2025—around 2.7 million—exacerbating queues. The agency continues providing a 36-month automatic extension on Form I-797C receipt notices, which acts as temporary proof of lawful permanent resident status for work and travel, though not all employers or agencies accept it smoothly. Applicants should file early, retain the receipt notice with any expired card, attend biometrics appointments, monitor case status online, and contact counsel or USCIS if cases are unusually delayed. There is no timetable yet for returning to pre-2025 processing speeds, though USCIS has discussed staffing and technology changes to improve throughput.
