The standard green card renewal fee in 2026 is $415 for an online Form I-90 or $465 for a paper filing. Your fee may differ if an exemption or approved fee waiver applies, so confirm the amount with USCIS immediately before submitting your application.
Key Takeaways
- Most applicants pay $415 online or $465 by mail to renew a 10-year Green Card.
- USCIS does not charge a separate Form I-90 biometrics fee, although it may require a biometrics appointment.
- Some filing reasons have a $0 fee, while financially eligible applicants may request a fee waiver.
- You generally file Form I-90 to renew an expired or expiring 10-year card or replace a lost, stolen, or damaged card.
- Conditional residents usually remove conditions through Form I-751 or Form I-829 instead of renewing through Form I-90.
- An expired card does not automatically end permanent resident status, but it can make proving that status harder.
Green Card Renewal Fee in 2026
For most applicants, the current USCIS fee to renew an expired or expiring 10-year Permanent Resident Card is $415 when filing Form I-90 online or $465 when filing a paper application. Online filing therefore costs $50 less. These amounts are government filing fees and do not include optional legal or private document-preparation services.
| Form I-90 filing method | Standard USCIS fee | Separate biometrics fee |
|---|---|---|
| Online filing | $415 | $0 |
| Paper filing | $465 | $0 |
USCIS may still schedule you for fingerprints, a photograph, or a signature. The current fee structure simply means there is no additional biometric services payment for Form I-90.
Fees and payment rules can change. Before paying, verify the amount on the official USCIS Form I-90 page and review the USCIS fee schedule. The fee for renewing an existing card is different from the cost of applying for permanent residence for the first time. For that distinction, see the breakdown of initial Green Card costs.
What the Permanent Resident Card Renewal Fee Covers
The Form I-90 payment covers USCIS's review of your renewal or replacement application. It also covers biometrics if USCIS decides that it needs updated biometric information. You do not receive a lower government fee merely because USCIS reuses biometrics or does not schedule an appointment.
Attorney fees and private preparation charges are optional and separate. You may prepare and file Form I-90 yourself. Legal help can be useful if you have conditional status, criminal or removal issues, inconsistent records, a prior denial, or uncertainty about the correct filing reason. USCIS does not include those professional fees in its $415 or $465 charge.
How to Pay the Renew Green Card Fee
- Online: Pay electronically through your USCIS online account using an accepted card or U.S. bank account payment method.
- By mail: Follow the current USCIS instructions for electronic payment authorization with a card or U.S. bank account.
- Before submitting: Confirm the filing category, exact fee, payment authorization, mailing address, and current edition of the form.
An incorrect fee, unsupported payment method, declined transaction, or missing authorization can cause USCIS to reject the filing without reviewing its merits. USCIS filing fees are generally nonrefundable, even if you withdraw the application or USCIS denies it.
How to Renew a 10-Year Green Card
You generally renew a 10-year Green Card by filing Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. USCIS recommends filing when your card has expired or will expire within six months. Filing too early may lead to rejection.
- Confirm that Form I-90 is correct. Use it for an expired or expiring 10-year card and most replacement requests. Do not use it to remove conditions from a two-year card.
- Select your filing reason. The reason determines whether you owe the standard fee, qualify for a $0 category, or need different evidence.
- Collect supporting documents. Include a copy of the front and back of your current card when available. Provide legal documentation for a name or biographic change.
- File online or by mail. Online filing usually has the lower government fee. Follow the paper instructions if you are requesting a fee waiver.
- Keep your receipt notice. USCIS issues a receipt after accepting the application. Use your receipt number to monitor the case.
- Attend biometrics if required. USCIS will send an appointment notice stating when and where to appear.
- Respond to USCIS requests. Submit any requested evidence by the stated deadline and keep copies of everything sent.
Your Alien Registration Number and card number are different identifiers. If a filing question asks for card-specific information, this explanation of the Permanent Resident Card number can help you locate it without confusing it with your A-Number.
Green Card Renewal Fee Waivers and Exemptions
A fee exemption and a fee waiver are not the same. An exemption applies because USCIS assigns a $0 fee to a particular filing reason. A waiver requires you to show financial eligibility and obtain USCIS approval.
Examples of Form I-90 situations that may have a $0 fee include correcting incorrect card information caused by a Department of Homeland Security error and replacing a card that USCIS issued but you never received because it was returned as undeliverable. A person who reaches age 14 may also have a $0 filing category if the existing card expires after the person's 16th birthday. If the card expires before that birthday, the standard fee generally applies.
To request a financial waiver, submit Form I-912 with a paper Form I-90 and supporting evidence. USCIS may consider receipt of a qualifying means-tested benefit, household income at or below the applicable threshold, or financial hardship. Evidence can include benefit documentation, household income records, or records supporting the claimed hardship. Review the official USCIS Form I-912 instructions before filing.
There is no automatic green card renewal fee for senior citizens and no general age-based discount for older adults. A senior pays the applicable Form I-90 fee unless a specific no-fee filing reason applies or USCIS approves a financial fee waiver.
Renewal, Replacement, and Conditional Green Cards
The reason you need a card determines the correct filing route and fee. Most standard renewals and replacements use Form I-90, but some circumstances receive different fee treatment.
| Reason for filing | Usual route | General fee treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Expired or expiring 10-year card | Form I-90 | Standard fee |
| Lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed card | Form I-90 | Standard fee |
| Name or other biographic change | Form I-90 with evidence | Usually standard fee |
| Incorrect information caused by DHS | Form I-90 with supporting evidence | May be $0 |
| Card returned to USCIS as undeliverable | Form I-90 if eligibility requirements are met | May be $0 |
| Two-year marriage-based conditional card | Form I-751 | Different form and fee |
| Two-year investor conditional card | Form I-829 | Different form and fee |
Conditional residents should not use Form I-90 merely because a two-year card is expiring. They generally must petition to remove conditions through the form for their immigration category. Read more about conditional Green Card requirements before choosing a filing route.
If you are unsure whether Form I-90 is correct, need a fee waiver, hold conditional status, are outside the United States, or received a denial, you can post your legal need on UpCounsel's marketplace. An immigration attorney can identify the proper filing route, review your eligibility and evidence, prepare the submission, and respond to USCIS requests or adverse decisions. Responses typically arrive within a day.
Processing Time and Proof of Permanent Resident Status
There is no single guaranteed Green Card renewal processing time. The estimate changes with USCIS workload, case type, and whether the agency needs biometrics or additional evidence. Check USCIS's current processing-time tool and your online case status instead of relying on an old month range.
For qualifying renewal filings, USCIS sends a Form I-90 receipt notice that extends the validity shown on the expired card for 36 months from the card's expiration date. Present the receipt notice together with the expired Green Card as evidence of continued status during that extension period. Read the notice carefully because its language controls how it may be used.
Your lawful permanent resident status does not automatically expire when the physical card expires. The card is evidence of that status. An expired card can still create practical problems when completing employment verification, traveling, or proving eligibility for services.
If you need proof of status and the expired card plus extension notice is unavailable or insufficient, contact USCIS about temporary evidence, sometimes provided through an Alien Documentation, Identification and Telecommunications stamp. Do not assume that an urgent travel plan will automatically expedite production of the new card. If your long-term goal is naturalization, compare renewal needs with the separate Green Card to citizenship process.
Common Form I-90 Problems and How to Avoid Them
Many Form I-90 problems begin before USCIS reviews eligibility. Using an outdated fee, selecting the wrong filing reason, omitting required evidence, or using an unaccepted payment method can result in rejection. A rejection means USCIS did not properly accept the filing, while a denial generally follows a substantive review.
- Wrong form: Confirm that you have a 10-year card or a valid Form I-90 replacement reason. Conditional residents usually need a removal-of-conditions petition.
- Wrong fee: Verify the fee on the day you file and distinguish online from paper pricing.
- Missing evidence: Include available card copies and documents supporting any name change, DHS error, or undeliverable-card claim.
- Missed appointment: Follow biometrics instructions and use USCIS's rescheduling procedure if you cannot attend.
- Address changes: Keep your address current with USCIS so that you receive notices and the replacement card.
- Inaccurate answers: Review every response before signing. Do not omit requested information or submit information you know is false.
USCIS sends written notice if it needs more evidence or denies the application. Read the stated reason before refiling. Depending on the issue, the proper response may involve correcting and resubmitting the application, filing an available motion, or addressing an underlying immigration matter. Seek individualized legal advice before filing if you have a criminal record, prior removal proceedings, conflicting identity records, or concerns about how you obtained permanent residence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much to Renew a Green Card in 2026?
Most applicants pay $415 for an online Form I-90 or $465 for a paper application in 2026. These are USCIS government charges, not quotes for legal assistance. Because a fee change can make an otherwise complete filing unacceptable, check the official fee schedule again immediately before submitting payment.
How Much Does It Cost to Renew a Permanent Resident Card for a Senior Citizen?
A senior citizen generally pays the same applicable Form I-90 fee as another adult applicant. USCIS does not provide an automatic senior discount. However, an older applicant may pay nothing if a designated $0 filing reason applies or if USCIS approves a properly documented financial fee-waiver request.
How Much Is Green Card Renewal When USCIS Made an Error?
The filing fee may be $0 when incorrect information on the card resulted from a Department of Homeland Security error. You must select the correct filing reason and provide the evidence required by the Form I-90 instructions. If the mistake resulted from information you supplied, USCIS may instead require the standard fee.
What Is the Current Wait Time for Green Card Renewal?
The current wait time depends on USCIS workload and the circumstances of the application. Use the USCIS processing-time and case-status tools for a current estimate tied to Form I-90. A request for evidence, missed biometrics appointment, payment problem, or address issue can make an individual case take longer than the displayed estimate.
Can You Travel While a Green Card Renewal Is Pending?
You may be able to travel while Form I-90 is pending if you have acceptable evidence of permanent resident status for departure and return. Confirm that your expired card, extension notice, or temporary proof will meet current requirements before leaving. If your card is lost or expires abroad, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for instructions.
