Green Card Renewal (Form I-90) 2026: The $415 / $465 Fee & 36-Month Extension
Published 2026-08-16 · Sources: USCIS — Form I-90, USCIS — Fee Schedule (G-1055), USCIS — 36-Month Validity Extension
Photo: 2H Media via UnsplashA green card is proof of lawful permanent resident (LPR) status, not the status itself. The physical card for most residents is valid for 10 years, and you renew it by filing Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. Renewal is routine, but the timing, fee, and a few well-known traps matter — especially the difference between a 10-year card (I-90) and a 2-year conditional card (a different form entirely).
When to file Form I-90
- Renew a 10-year card: you may file up to 6 months before the expiration date printed on the card. Filing earlier than that (the form asks your reason) can lead USCIS to reject the application.
- Card already expired: you can still file I-90. Your LPR status continues; you just need the receipt notice (and possibly an ADIT stamp) as proof while you wait.
- Lost, stolen, damaged, or never received: also I-90, using the matching reason code.
- Legal name change or USCIS biographic error: I-90 with the appropriate reason; a USCIS-caused error correction is free.
The 2026 filing fee
| Filing method | Fee (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Online (USCIS account) | $415 | Biometrics included; faster receipts and electronic case updates |
| Paper (mailed) | $465 | Biometrics included; $50 more than online |
Since April 1, 2024, USCIS rolled the previous separate $85 biometrics fee into the I-90 fee, so there is no additional charge for fingerprints and photo. A fee waiver (Form I-912) is available for applicants who receive a means-tested benefit, have household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or face extreme financial hardship. Fee-waiver requests can only be filed by mail, not online. Always confirm the exact amount and the current form edition at uscis.gov/g-1055 before paying, because USCIS can update its fee schedule.
Online vs. paper filing
Most renewals can be filed either way. Online is cheaper ($415 vs. $465) and generally smoother: real-time status, electronic requests for evidence, and notices in one account. Choose paper only if you are requesting a fee waiver, cannot use the online system, or otherwise need to mail. For either method, include a copy of the front and back of your current or expired card and your A-Number.
The 36-month receipt extension
After USCIS accepts your I-90, it mails a Form I-797 receipt notice. That notice automatically extends your green card’s validity for 36 months from the expiration date on the card — USCIS expanded the extension from 24 to 36 months in September 2024 because processing was taking longer. Keep the receipt notice with the (expired) card; together they serve as valid proof of status for Form I-9 employment verification and similar purposes. If you need stronger proof (for travel or other situations), a USCIS field office can place an ADIT (I-551) stamp in your passport as temporary evidence of LPR status.
Processing time and the no-premium-processing rule
Form I-90 has no premium processing — there is no way to pay for faster service. Reported processing in 2026 commonly runs about 8 to 14 months (median around 9 months) and varies by service center. This is exactly why the 36-month receipt extension exists: it gives you a wide buffer so an expired card does not disrupt work, banking, or travel while the new card is produced. Check the USCIS processing times tool for current ranges before you file.
The conditional-card exception (do not use I-90)
If your green card says it expires in 2 years, it is conditional, not a 10-year card. You do not renew it with I-90. Instead:
- Marriage-based conditional residents: file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, generally within the 90-day window before the 2-year anniversary.
- EB-5 investor conditional residents: file Form I-829.
Once USCIS approves the I-751 or I-829 and issues a standard 10-year card, all future renewals use Form I-90 at the standard fee. Filing I-90 on a conditional card is the wrong form and will be rejected.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Filing I-90 more than 6 months before expiration (risk of rejection).
- Using I-90 for a 2-year conditional card (use I-751/I-829 instead).
- Mailing the original card for a routine renewal — keep it to use with the receipt notice.
- Assuming premium processing exists for I-90 — it does not; plan around the wait.
- Traveling abroad on an expired card without the I-797 receipt or ADIT stamp.
Sources & references
- USCIS, “Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card” — uscis.gov/i-90 (retrieved 2026-08-16)
- USCIS, “Fee Schedule (Form G-1055)” — uscis.gov/g-1055 (retrieved 2026-08-16)
- USCIS Newsroom, “USCIS Extends Green Card Validity Extension to 36 Months for Green Card Renewals” (Sept. 2024) — uscis.gov/newsroom (retrieved 2026-08-16)
- USCIS, “Remove Conditions on Permanent Residence (Form I-751)” and “Form I-829” — relevant for 2-year conditional cards (retrieved 2026-08-16).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Form I-90 fee in 2026?
In 2026 the fee is $415 if you file online through your USCIS account and $465 if you file a paper application by mail. Since April 2024 the biometrics services fee has been folded into the I-90 fee, so there is no separate charge for fingerprints and photo. The amounts took effect April 1, 2024 and remain unchanged for 2026. A fee waiver (Form I-912) is available for applicants who meet limited criteria, but fee-waiver requests must be filed by mail.
Can I file Form I-90 if my green card has already expired?
Yes. You remain a lawful permanent resident even with an expired card, and you can file I-90 after expiration. The practical problem is proving your status to employers, airlines, and banks while you wait. USCIS sends a Form I-797 receipt notice that, paired with your expired card, extends the card's validity by 36 months as evidence of status. An ADIT (I-551) stamp from a USCIS field office is the alternative proof of LPR status.
What if I have a 2-year conditional green card?
A conditional (2-year) green card is not renewed with Form I-90. If your conditional status is based on marriage to a U.S. citizen or resident, you file Form I-751 to remove conditions; EB-5 investors file Form I-829. These are separate forms with their own windows (generally the 90 days before the 2-year anniversary). Filing the wrong form wastes the fee and can delay your status.
How long does the receipt extend my green card's validity?
The Form I-797 receipt notice automatically extends your green card's validity for 36 months from the expiration date printed on the card. USCIS expanded this from 24 months to 36 months in September 2024 to account for longer processing times. Keep the receipt notice together with your (expired) card — they function as a matched set for employment and travel evidence.