7 Essential Tips for Maintaining Lawful Permanent Resident Status

Key Takeaways

• Renew your Green Card using Form I-90 up to 6 months before expiration to maintain LPR status.
• Report address changes to USCIS within 10 days to avoid missing important notices.
• 36-month extension applies automatically during Green Card renewal receipt processing.

If you’re a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) of the United States 🇺🇸, keeping your status secure is essential for your future. This practical guide will help you understand exactly what you need to do to maintain your LPR status, avoid common mistakes, and prepare for the next steps—whether that’s renewing your Green Card, traveling abroad, or applying for U.S. citizenship. By following these steps, you’ll protect your right to live, work, and build your life in the United States 🇺🇸.

Let’s walk through the most important requirements, explain the process for Green Card Renewal using Form I-90, and highlight the key rules you need to follow. You’ll also find links to official forms, tips to avoid problems, and advice on what to do if you run into trouble.

What You’ll Accomplish With This Guide:
– Learn how to renew your Green Card and keep it valid
– Understand the rules for living in the United States 🇺🇸 as an LPR
– Find out what actions can put your status at risk
– Get step-by-step instructions for important tasks like address updates and travel
– Prepare for U.S. citizenship if that’s your goal

1. Eligibility Requirements for Lawful Permanent Residents

Before you can focus on renewing your Green Card or planning for citizenship, you need to make sure you’re following the basic rules for LPRs:

• You must live in the United States 🇺🇸 as your main home. Long trips outside the country can cause problems.
• You must avoid certain crimes. Some criminal convictions can lead to losing your status.
• You must keep USCIS updated with your current address.
• You must file U.S. tax returns as a resident.
• You must renew your Green Card before it expires.

If you’re not sure about your eligibility or have special circumstances (like a criminal record or long absences), it’s a good idea to talk to an immigration attorney.

2. Green Card Renewal: Step-by-Step Process

Your Green Card is proof of your Lawful Permanent Resident status. It’s usually valid for 10 years. If your card is about to expire, or has already expired, you must renew it to avoid problems with work, travel, or proving your status.

Here’s how to renew your Green Card:

Step 1: Check When to Renew

• You can file for Green Card Renewal up to 6 months before your card expires.
• Don’t wait until the last minute—processing times can be long.

Step 2: Complete Form I-90

• Use Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card) for most renewals.
• If you have a 2-year conditional Green Card (for example, through marriage), you’ll need Form I-751 instead.

Step 3: Gather Required Documents

• Copy of your current Green Card (front and back)
• Biographic page of your passport (if requested)
• Proof of residence (such as tax returns or lease agreements)
• Passport-style photos (if requested)

Step 4: Pay the Fee

• As of May 2025, the total fee for Form I-90 is $540 (this includes the biometrics fee).
• Online filing: $415 (older fee, may not be current)
• Paper filing: $465 (older fee, may not be current)
• Fee waivers are available if you can’t afford to pay.

Check the latest fee information on the official USCIS fee schedule.

Step 5: Submit Your Application

• You can file online through your USCIS account or mail a paper application.
• After you submit, you’ll get a receipt notice. This notice is very important—it now extends your Green Card’s validity for 36 months (3 years) from the expiration date on your card.

Step 6: Wait for Processing

• Processing times can be long, but the 36-month extension means you can keep working and traveling while you wait.
• If you lose your Green Card while waiting, you can request an ADIT stamp at a USCIS Field Office as temporary proof of your status.

Important: Always keep your receipt notice safe. Employers and border officers will accept it as proof of your status.

3. Maintaining Continuous Residence

To keep your Lawful Permanent Resident status, you must live in the United States 🇺🇸 as your main home. This is called “continuous residence.”

What Counts as Continuous Residence?

• You must live in the U.S. most of the time.
• Trips outside the U.S. for more than 6 months can cause problems. USCIS may think you’ve moved your main home.
• Trips longer than 1 year can cause you to lose your status unless you get a re-entry permit before leaving.

How to Prove Continuous Residence

• Keep a permanent address in the United States 🇺🇸.
• File U.S. tax returns as a resident every year.
• Keep records of your travel dates and reasons for travel.

If you need to be outside the U.S. for a long time, apply for a re-entry permit (Form I-131) before you leave. This shows you plan to return and keep your status.

4. Avoiding Criminal Activity and Deportable Offenses

Certain crimes can put your Lawful Permanent Resident status at risk. If you’re convicted of certain offenses, you could be removed (deported) from the United States 🇺🇸.

What Crimes Cause Problems?

• Aggravated felonies (serious crimes like murder, drug trafficking, or theft)
• Crimes involving moral turpitude (crimes that show bad character, like fraud or assault)
• Drug offenses
• Domestic violence

If you are charged with any crime, talk to an immigration attorney right away. Even minor charges can have serious consequences for your status.

5. Updating USCIS With Address Changes

You must tell USCIS your new address within 10 days of moving. This is required by law.

How to Update Your Address

• Use the USCIS online address change tool.
• You can also update your address through your USCIS online account.

Why is this important?
– If USCIS can’t reach you, you might miss important notices or appointments.
– Missing a notice could lead to delays or even removal proceedings.

6. Employment and Tax Compliance

As a Lawful Permanent Resident, you have the right to work in the United States 🇺🇸. But you must also follow tax rules.

Work Authorization

• You can work for any employer in the United States 🇺🇸.
• If your Green Card is expired but you’ve filed Form I-90, your receipt notice (with the 36-month extension) is proof you can keep working.

Tax Filing

• You must file U.S. tax returns as a resident every year, even if you earn money outside the United States 🇺🇸.
• Filing taxes as a resident helps prove you live in the U.S. and are following the law.

If you don’t file taxes, or if you file as a “nonresident,” you could lose your status or have trouble when applying for citizenship.

7. Travel and Re-entry Considerations

Traveling outside the United States 🇺🇸 is allowed, but there are important rules to follow.

Short Trips (Less Than 6 Months)

• Usually, there are no problems if you return within 6 months.

Longer Trips (More Than 6 Months)

• Absences over 6 months may cause USCIS to question if you still live in the U.S.
• You may have to explain your trip and prove you kept your main home in the United States 🇺🇸.

Very Long Trips (More Than 1 Year)

• If you plan to be away for more than 1 year, apply for a re-entry permit (Form I-131) before you leave.
• Without a re-entry permit, you could lose your Lawful Permanent Resident status.

Traveling While Your Green Card Renewal Is Pending

• The 36-month extension on your receipt notice means you can travel and return to the United States 🇺🇸 while waiting for your new card.
• Always carry your expired Green Card and your receipt notice.

8. Preparing for Naturalization and Future Status

Many Lawful Permanent Residents want to become U.S. citizens. Here’s what you need to know:

Eligibility for Naturalization

• You must be an LPR for at least 5 years (or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen).
• You must have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for most of that time.
• You must have good moral character (no serious crimes).
• You must be able to read, write, and speak basic English.
• You must pass a civics test about U.S. history and government.

Preparing Your Application

• Keep records of your travel, tax filings, and addresses.
• Make sure you’ve followed all LPR rules.
• Processing times for naturalization can vary, so plan ahead.

For more details, visit the official USCIS citizenship page.

9. Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Even small mistakes can cause big problems for Lawful Permanent Residents. Here are some common issues and how to avoid them:

• Letting your Green Card expire: File Form I-90 early and keep your receipt notice.
• Not updating your address: Always notify USCIS within 10 days of moving.
• Taking long trips without a re-entry permit: Apply for Form I-131 if you’ll be gone more than a year.
• Not filing taxes as a resident: Always file U.S. tax returns as a resident, even if you live or work abroad.
• Getting into legal trouble: Avoid any criminal activity and get legal help if you’re charged with a crime.
• Missing USCIS notices: Check your mail and email regularly, and keep your contact information up to date.

10. Next Steps and Practical Guidance

If your Green Card is expiring soon:
– Start your Green Card Renewal process by filing Form I-90 up to 6 months before expiration.

If you plan to travel for a long time:
– Apply for a re-entry permit (Form I-131) before leaving.

If you move:
– Update your address right away using the USCIS address change tool.

If you want to become a U.S. citizen:
– Review the naturalization requirements and start gathering your documents.

If you have legal problems:
– Contact an immigration attorney as soon as possible.

For official information and updates:
– Visit the USCIS website.

11. Summary Table: Key Points for Maintaining LPR Status (2025)

12. Expert Perspectives

Immigration attorneys recommend starting your Green Card Renewal early and keeping careful records of your residence, travel, and taxes. If you’re ever charged with a crime, get legal help right away.

Advocacy groups say the new 36-month extension for Green Card renewals helps reduce stress for LPRs waiting for their new cards.

Employers generally accept the receipt notice as proof of your right to work, but some may ask for extra documents. Keep your paperwork handy.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, these steps are essential for protecting your status and preparing for future opportunities, including citizenship.

13. Official Resources and Contacts

• USCIS Official Website
• Form I-90: Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card
• USCIS Address Change Tool
• USCIS Contact Center

Takeaway:
Staying a Lawful Permanent Resident in the United States 🇺🇸 means being proactive. Renew your Green Card on time, keep your address and records up to date, follow the law, and plan ahead for travel or citizenship. By following these steps and using the official resources provided, you’ll protect your status and keep your future secure.

Learn Today

Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) → A non-citizen authorized to live and work permanently in the United States.
Green Card Renewal → The process of updating or replacing an expiring or expired permanent resident card.
Form I-90 → USCIS application form used to renew or replace a permanent resident card.
Re-entry Permit → A travel document allowing LPRs to maintain status during extended trips outside the U.S.
Receipt Notice → USCIS confirmation document extending Green Card validity during renewal processing.

This Article in a Nutshell

Lawful Permanent Residents must renew Green Cards timely using Form I-90, update USCIS addresses promptly, and avoid criminal activity to protect status and prepare for U.S. citizenship effectively.
— By VisaVerge.com