Green Card Replacement Wait Times Jump Nearly 1,000%

Lawful permanent residents (LPRs) in the US are currently experiencing substantial delays in the processing of their I-90 forms, the application required to renew or replace their green cards. 

Data released by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) indicates a significant increase in processing times, impacting the ability of immigrants to work, travel, and access essential services. The figures from USCIS reveal a sharp increase in the time it takes to process I-90 forms. The median processing time has increased from less than a month to approximately eight months in the second quarter of FY2025. Between 1 January and 31 March 2025, the average processing time stood at 8.3 months, a notable rise from the 0.8 months recorded between 1 October and 31 December 2024. 

While the USCIS website states that 80% of "initial issuance or replacements" of I-90 forms are completed within 21.5 months, and 80% of 10-year renewals are completed within 12.5 months, many applicants report far longer waiting periods.

USCIS confirms that the agency received over 285,000 I-90 forms between January and March, compared to approximately 189,000 from October through December of last year. Consequently, the number of pending applications has surged to over 356,000 at the end of the second quarter, up from 265,000 at the end of the first quarter.

In response to the growing backlog, USCIS announced in September 2024 that the validity of green cards would be extended to 36 months for lawful permanent residents. This measure is intended to provide relief to those experiencing longer processing times, allowing them to maintain proof of their legal status while awaiting their renewed green card. 

"These receipt notices can be presented with an expired Green Card as evidence of continued status and employment authorisation," the agency said in its announcement. "This extension is expected to help applicants who experience longer processing times, because they will receive proof of lawful permanent resident status as they await their renewed Green Card."

Cecilia Esterline, an analyst at the Niskanen Center, notes that, "I-90 applications for a replacement green card had the sharpest increase in median processing time: 938% over Q1. In both FY2024 Q2 and FY2025 Q1, its median processing time was approx. 0.8 months. By the end of FY2025 Q2, it was more than 8 months."

These delays have significant implications for green card holders. The surge in processing times, particularly noticeable since 2024 and continuing into 2025, has left many LPRs concerned about their status, travel arrangements, and ability to work. A green card serves as proof of the legal right to live and work in the US, and delays in obtaining a replacement can cause complications with employment, international travel, and access to certain government services.

The I-90 form is the official application used to replace a green card that is lost, stolen, expired, or requires updating. It can be filed online or by mail, subject to a filing fee (currently $455, plus an $85 biometric services fee). Following the application, applicants may be required to attend a biometrics appointment for fingerprinting and photograph collection. Several factors contribute to the surge in processing times. These include increased application volumes, possibly due to a growing permanent resident population and increased awareness of the need to keep documents up to date. Staffing shortages at USCIS, including hiring freezes and backlogs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, have also played a role. 

Enhanced security and background checks, particularly for applicants with complex histories, can further slow down the process, as can system upgrades and shifts in immigration policy and priorities. These combined pressures result in substantial delays compared to previous years. The USCIS has implemented measures to mitigate the impact of these delays. Upon filing Form I-90, applicants receive a receipt notice (Form I-797) that automatically extends the validity of their green card for up to 36 months. This notice, presented together with the expired green card, serves as proof of status while awaiting the replacement. In urgent cases, such as travel for a family emergency, applicants can request an emergency appointment at a local USCIS office, where they may receive a temporary I-551 stamp in their passport as proof of permanent resident status.

Applicants can monitor the status of their Form I-90 online using the USCIS Case Status tool. Immediate action is advised for those needing to replace their green card, including filing Form I-90 as soon as possible, keeping the receipt notice safe, preparing for biometrics appointments, checking the case status regularly, and requesting emergency assistance when necessary. During the waiting period, applicants can generally continue to work, as their status as permanent residents remains valid, with the receipt notice serving as an extension of their green card. 

It is possible to travel outside the US while awaiting a replacement card, although it carries risks, as some airlines or border officials may not accept expired green cards and receipt notices as proof of status. Processing times for Form I-90 have fluctuated in recent years. In FY2024, the average processing time was about 1.1 months, down from 9.1 months in 2023. The average processing time was 1.2 months in 2022 and 5.2 months in 2021.