When a foreign national obtains permanent residence in the United States, he or she receives a green card. This document is a source of security and reliability, allowing US employers and government officials to easily verify one’s immigration status.
Are green cards subject to expiration? Read on to find out.
Does Green Card Expire? – The Verdict
Also referred to as the “lawful permanent residence card,” a green card gives foreign nationals the right to live and work in the United States. Once a non-US citizen obtains a green card, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recognizes that person as a lawful permanent citizen of the country.
Several benefits apply for green card holders, including the right to apply for social security, travel outside the country and return from abroad, and get a driver’s license. Once a green card is issued, it has a validity of ten years.
Permanent residents who obtained their green cards post-1980 can check the expiration date directly on the card. One of the good practices recommended by USCIS is checking the expiration date on the green card and proceeding with the necessary steps to renew it when the document is close to expiring.
It is worth noting that some green cards issued before 1980 do not have an expiration date written on the document and do not require renewals. However, USCIS recommends renewals even in such cases to guarantee the picture displayed on the document is updated.
Does an Expired Green Cards Affect One’s Immigration Status?
The expiration of a green card does not necessarily affect the legal status of a legal resident. The work authorization and driving permit are not affected as well. Conversely, failing to renew a green card has several negative repercussions.
US federal law expressly requires lawful permanent citizens to renew their green cards upon expiration. While an expired green card will not result in a loss of legal status or deportation, it will likely expose the visa holder to unnecessary situations.
Without a green card, law enforcement, border officials, and government employers need additional steps to verify one’s identity and immigration status. This simple detail may jeopardize one’s ability to travel in and out of the United States, obtain new employment, and apply for citizenship.
Additionally, lawful permanent residents must carry valid a green card and furnish the document to authorities upon request. Failing to meet this requirement technically results in a violation of US law.
Is it Possible to Travel Abroad with an Expired Green Card?
An expired green card is not an appropriate form of identification for lawful permanent residents traveling abroad. An immigration official may not allow a permanent resident to re-enter the United States after spending time abroad without a valid form of identification.
Failing to carry a valid green card when trying to re-entering the United States often results in fines and stressful delays. Hence, it is not ideal to travel internationally with an expired green card or before receiving a new green card upon renewal.
Do You Want to Renew Your Green Card? – Immediately Seek Expert Legal Guidance
Waste no time with uncertainty. Contact Immigration Attorney Romy B. Jurado today by calling (305) 921-0976 or emailing [email protected] to protect your immigration status in the United States.
