Green card gridlock: How to apply, what you need, and why the wait just got 1,000 percent longer

Green card renewal delays have surged nearly 1,000 percent, leaving hundreds of thousands of legal immigrants facing months of uncertainty, and making it more important than ever to understand how to apply, what documents are required, and how long the wait is.

In the second quarter of fiscal year 2025, the median processing time for Form I-90, the application used to renew or replace permanent resident cards, jumped to 8.3 months, up from just 0.8 months in the previous quarter, according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Spike in filings and delays

Between January and March 2025, USCIS received over 285,000 I-90 applications, up from around 189,000 in the last quarter of 2024. The agency reported more than 356,000 pending cases at the end of March, reflecting the growing backlog.

USCIS defines median processing time as the length of time it takes to complete 50 percent of cases during a given period.

According to its latest guidance, 80 percent of green card replacement applications are now completed within 21.5 months, while renewals are typically resolved within 12.5 months.

How to apply for green card renewal or replacement

Permanent residents must file Form I-90 to:

• Renew their green card every 10 years
  
• Replace a lost, stolen, or damaged card
  
• Correct errors or update personal information
  

Application options:

• Online at uscis.gov
• By mail using the printed Form I-90
  

Fees:

• $455 application fee
  
• $85 biometric services fee (if required)
  
• Total: $540

Applicants are advised to submit supporting documentation, including a copy of their current or expired green card and any legal documents related to name or status changes.

Legal status protected during the wait

To accommodate the delays, USCIS announced in September 2024 that the validity of green cards would be automatically extended by 36 months for applicants who file Form I-90. The agency clarified that the receipt notice issued upon filing can be used, along with an expired green card, as proof of continued legal status and work authorization.

“This extension is expected to help applicants who experience longer processing times,” USCIS said in a statement last year.

Immigration analysts focus on a combination of factors, including rising application volumes, limited staffing, and shifts in immigration enforcement policy.

USCIS and federal immigration courts are currently managing more than 3.7 million cases, including asylum, visa, and naturalization applications.

Trump’s aggressive stance on immigration

President Donald Trump has increased immigration enforcement measures in his second term, promising mass deportations and tighter controls. Advocates warn that the policy environment and system-wide delays could place added pressure on legal residents seeking documentation.

USCIS has not yet issued a statement addressing the latest surge in wait times. Immigration attorneys recommend that green card holders file renewal applications at least six months before expiration and retain all receipts as proof of status.

Without new resources or legislative intervention, experts say green card processing times may continue to climb in the months ahead.