The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has published a list of 10 specific circumstances under which lawful permanent residents are required to replace their Green Cards. The guidance is aimed at helping Green Card holders understand when obtaining a replacement card is not optional but mandatory.
When Replacement Becomes Mandatory for Green Card Holders
According to USCIS, a lawful permanent resident must replace their Green Card if the card has already expired or is due to expire within the next six months. Cards that have been lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed also qualify as grounds for replacement.
Holders who were issued a card before they turned 14 and have since reached that age are required to apply for a new one, unless the card's expiry date falls before their 16th birthday. This rule ensures that young permanent residents receive an updated card with a recent photograph and accurate biographical information.
Status Changes and Older Card Formats Trigger Replacement
Cases where a resident is switching from commuter status to full-time US residency require a replacement card. Moving in the opposite direction from full-time residency to commuter status also triggers the requirement. Individuals whose immigration status was automatically converted to permanent resident status, including certain special agricultural worker applicants, are equally required to replace their cards.
USCIS further noted that residents still holding older versions of the alien registration card, specifically Forms AR-3, AR-103, or I-151, are required to replace them with a current Green Card. These older formats are no longer valid for employment verification or travel purposes.
Incorrect Information and Unreceived Cards
Residents whose cards contain incorrect information must apply for a replacement. Those who have legally changed their name or any other biographical detail on the card must also seek a replacement. Foreigners who never received the Green Card previously issued to them by USCIS are also required to apply for a replacement.
The guidance serves as a reminder that holding an outdated, inaccurate, or physically compromised Green Card can have consequences for lawful permanent residents, particularly those who may not be aware that certain life changes automatically require them to act.
Related Benefits for Green Card Holders
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the United States government has officially listed two benefits available to Green Card holders on its website. Green Card holders can use the card to prove their employment eligibility when completing a specific federal verification form.
