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Im confused about being a permanent resident. Is it jsut the card that expires after 10 years or my status also? Is it possible to renew my card after expiration?
Well ive been researching this and im getting conflicting answers to my questions. On another site im reading that you can not get deported if you are a legal permanent resident with an expired card. It just needs to be updated as soon as possible to avoid any hassles. They say your status doesnt expire with your card. Which is the correct answer?
The original Green Cards were delivered in perpetuity. The "new" Green cards are only now for 10 years and apparently have to be renewed every 10 years.
I'm really not so sure that Threestep is correct in saying that, "Your card expires so does your status. You have to renew your card or apply for citizenship" but your best bet is to go to the uscis link which is posted in the first "sticky" on this page.
STT - I will ask around. Atlanta had a case recently where immigration refused entry to someone with an expired GC. Do you have an update on the fate of the perpetual ones?
STT - I will ask around. Atlanta had a case recently where immigration refused entry to someone with an expired GC. Do you have an update on the fate of the perpetual ones?
Actually I still have mine and have travelled with it (admittedly not much as I don't get out and about as much as I used to!) with no problem. Years ago I lost my original one and it was replaced with one which, unlike the old one, included my fingerprint. When the law changed I went to the local INS office to get a replacement but after sitting on a hard bench for three hours and still not much closer to the front of the line I gave up.
A friend of mine was also in the same boat but, with travel plans afoot, went to the USCIS office just a year ago with his "old" Green Card and had absolutely no problem getting a new one which he received within a week or two. He said that, much to his surprise, it was one of the simplest exercises he's ever undertaken with any bureaucratic institution!
Actually, to expound somewhat, when I had lost my GC all those years ago, I traveled to the Bahamas from the US. My valid UK passport at the time clearly indicated via a stamp that I'd been admitted to the US under section blah blah and my alien number was written in.
I thought that was sufficient but I was hauled into an office manned by a grumpy official and had to sign all sorts of papers and almost missed my flight but was released to continue my journey back to the US with the caveat that I present myself at the closest INS office within 30 days to get it sorted out.
I did so and thus received the replacement GC in short shrift. Ergo, I guess the answer to the OP's question is that no, your status doesn't expire because the card itself expires, you just have to leap through a few hoops. Cheers!
STT - different scenario. You lost your card. You were not in physical possession of it. It had not expired.
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