Legal Help You Need For Green Card Replacement
green card renewal attorneys
If you are not yet a U.S. citizen, and instead hold either a two-year or a 10-year Green Card, safely living and working in the U.S. means that you must ensure that your legal permanent resident card is always on your person and displays accurate information about you. Apply for a renewal or replacement immediately with help from Takhsh Law P.C. if your Green Card was lost, damaged, stolen, or simply up for renewal.
For help replacing a Green Card, contact Takhsh Law P.C. online or call (844) 344-2628.
CAN YOU RENEW AN EXPIRED GREEN CARD?
Yes. It is possible to renew an expired Green Card. It is important to apply for a renewal as soon as possible, as living in the United States without a valid Green Card can cause potential problems.
Attorney Alen Takhsh can help if your green card is approaching expiration or has already expired, whether you are a conditional permanent resident, out-of-the-country resident, or have an older permanent resident card. If your card is near expiration, a Green Card renewal attorney can walk you through the renewal process and help you understand all that you need to do to achieve success.
Can You Renew an Expired Green Card?
From Alen’s interview for the Masters series on ReelLawyers.com
View Transcript
You can most certainly renew an expired green card — in fact, you must.
To do so, you need to file Form I-90 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Now, why do I say you must renew it? Well, something a lot of people don’t know is that not carrying your green card on your person at all times is actually considered a Class A misdemeanor offense.
Most of my clients don’t carry their green cards with them regularly because, quite frankly, they’re afraid of losing them — and that’s their prerogative. However, it’s my job to remind them that they technically should.
Now, if your green card has already expired, it doesn’t matter how much time has passed. The moment you realize it’s expired, go ahead and file to renew it. And between you and me, it’s not that difficult — you can probably handle it yourself. But if you need assistance, definitely speak to an attorney who can guide you through the process.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RENEW YOUR GREEN CARD?
As of mid-2026, renewal processing times typically range from 10–14 months (check current USCIS processing times). Note: USCIS automatically extends the validity of your Green Card for 36 months from the date on your Form I-797C receipt notice while your I-90 is pending. So, if your green card is currently expired or you expect it to expire within six months, it is vital that you seek legal help immediately. You may need a strong case backed by evidence to explain the lapse in your green card renewal application.
At Takhsh Law, P.C., we understand that the process of renewing your Green Card can be stressful and time-consuming. That is why we work diligently to ensure that your renewal application is processed as efficiently and as expeditiously as possible. Processing times can vary depending on the volume of applications received by USCIS, and other factors. Our team of experienced immigration attorneys will work with you every step of the way to ensure that your renewal application is completed accurately and on time. Do not let the stress of renewing your green card weigh you down – let us handle the details and help you get the peace of mind you crave.
CHICAGO GREEN CARD RENEWAL LAWYERS
Takhsh Law P.C.’s Chicago Green Card renewal lawyer is a trusted resource with a concentration on immigration law. Our team of experienced attorneys can help you navigate the process of renewing your Green Card (Note: we can also help you prepare for such interviews as the green card marriage interview). We understand that the renewal process can be complex and overwhelming, which is why we are here to guide you every step of the way. With Takhsh Law, P.C. by your side, you can feel confident that your Green Card renewal application is in good hands. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you renew your Green Card.
Watch the interview with Immigration Attorney Alen Takhsh
What Does It Mean To Have A Green Card And Can You Travel On A Green Card?
Can You Lose Your Green Card if You Get Divorced?
From Alen’s interview for the Masters series on ReelLawyers.com
View Transcript
You can certainly lose your green card if you get divorced — but, as always, the devil is in the details.
First, it’s important to understand that there are two types of green cards. One is the 10-year green card, and the other is the conditional green card, which is valid for two years. The distinction between them depends on how long you’ve been married at the time your green card is issued.
If your marriage is less than two years old when the U.S. government is ready to issue your green card, you’ll receive a conditional green card valid for two years. If your marriage is more than two years old at that time, you’ll receive a 10-year green card.
Now, if the divorce happens after you’ve already obtained the 10-year green card, you are not likely to lose it — unless the U.S. government alleges and can prove that the marriage was a sham.
However, if the divorce occurs during the two-year conditional green card period, things become more complex. In that case, you will likely need to file Form I-751, the petition to remove conditions on your green card, on your own. Since you’re presumably no longer with your spouse, you’ll need to select one or more of the following waiver options on the I-751:
“My marriage was real, but it ended in divorce through no fault of my own.”
“I was battered or subjected to extreme cruelty.”
“If you do not approve my I-751, I will suffer extreme hardship.”
You don’t have to choose just one — sometimes, more than one box may apply depending on your situation.
If you fail to file the I-751 on your own with sufficient evidence under one or more of these categories, you could lose your green card. Worse yet, you might even be placed in removal proceedings.
What Does it Mean to Have a Green Card?
When you have a Green Card, it means that you are a legal permanent resident of the United States. There are two types of Green Cards. One is a conditional Green Card. The other one is a non-conditional Green Card or a permanent Green Card. The difference being: the conditional Green Card is valid for two years, whereas the permanent Green Card, or legal permanent resident card, is valid for ten years.
If you are in the U.S. on a Green Card and you wish to travel abroad, are there any rules or regulations to be mindful of?
If you are going to be spending a considerable amount of time outside of the United States, there are certain rules to be mindful of, especially if you are thinking about spending more than six months abroad.
If you are going to be spending less than six months outside of the United States, generally speaking, you should be fine upon your return to the States. However, if you spend more than six months but less than one year outside of the United States, then that raises a rebuttable presumption that you have abandoned your legal permanent residence. That is an important presumption, but one that is rebuttable. What that means is that you can come back with evidence to show why you should not be deemed to have abandoned your permanent residence in the United States. For example, you may have been abroad for a lengthy period of time because you needed to sell your property, because you had to undergo surgery, or some other valid reason. If you are going to be spending more than one year outside of the United States, the non-rebuttable presumption will be that you have abandoned your permanent residence in the United States.
Does travel abroad have an impact on those hoping to become naturalized citizens?
In order to become a naturalized citizen, you have to meet certain criteria. Those criteria can be affected by how much time you spend outside of the United States. Most notably, you have to meet the continuous residence and the physical presence requirements in order to become a naturalized citizen. If you spend lengthy periods of time outside of the United States, your continuous residence and your physical presence can be affected. Let us assume that you file for citizenship tomorrow. The law states that you must have spent half of the last five years in the United States; in other words, at least 30 of the last 60 months. Additionally, repeated, lengthy bouts spent abroad (more than six months) can have a negative impact on whether you meet the continuous residence requirement. Our citizenship lawyers can help if you need assistance with evaluating the viability of your naturalization case.
How can you avoid jeopardizing your Green Card?
If, for example, you know that you are going to be spending a considerable amount of time outside of the United States, then you would be well advised to obtain a reentry permit. You obtain a reentry permit by filing Form I-131 with USCIS. A reentry permit allows you to remain outside of the United States for up to two years, ensuring that you can return to the States without having jeopardized your legal permanent residence in the United States. The time that you spend outside of the United States, however, does not count toward the physical presence requirement. But, regardless, it protects your Green Card.
How Can I Avoid Jeopardizing My Green Card?
From Alen’s interview for the Masters series on ReelLawyers.com
View Transcript
When it comes to not jeopardizing your green card, a couple of key things come to mind.
First, and most obviously, stay out of trouble. This is common sense, but it’s worth repeating: if you get into legal trouble, especially depending on the severity of the criminal offense, it could seriously jeopardize your green card status.
Second, be mindful of your travel abroad. To be more specific: if you travel outside the U.S. for three, four, or even five months, it generally won’t affect your green card. However, if you spend more than six months — even just one day over — but less than 12 months abroad, it raises what’s called a rebuttable presumption that you may have broken your continuous residence in the United States. This can put your green card at risk and raise red flags during a future citizenship application.
If you’re outside the U.S. for 12 months and one day or more, the situation becomes more serious. At that point, the presumption is no longer rebuttable — meaning you can’t just come back with an explanation or evidence to justify the long absence. It’s presumed that you’ve abandoned your residence, and that could have a dire effect on both your green card status and any future plans to apply for citizenship.
So it’s critical to track and limit your time abroad to protect your legal permanent resident status and ensure a smoother path to naturalization.
If one of these or another immigration law challenge is on your mind,
call Takhsh Law, P.C. at (844) 344-2628 today.
Initial consultations are $200, credited toward your case if you retain the firm. Book online →
If one of these or another immigration law challenge is on your mind, call Takhsh Law, P.C. at (312) 561-3735 today.
Initial consultations are $200, credited toward your case if you retain the firm. Book online →
