Applicants filing Form I-90, to replace their green card, will now receive a receipt notice extending their status for 24 months. This is effective as of September 26, 2022 and replaces USCIS’s previous policy of only issuing 12-month receipt notices.
While helpful for applicants, this is yet another sign that USCIS is struggling to adjudicate cases in a timely manner. Current processing times for Form I-90 range from 13.5 to 16 months. Until USCIS can hire and train more staff these processing times are not expected to change. Earlier in the year, USCIS stated at the AILA national Conference that they needed to hire an additional 4000 staff by year-end.
Anyone with a pending I-90, whose green card has expired will need to carry the original I-90 receipt notice along with their expired card.
Applicants who already have pending applications should receive an amended receipt notice with a 24-month extension prior to the expiration of the 12-month receipt notice.
If you have any questions regarding the above, please contact us at cprescott@patelegal.com.