Green cards
Keeping what you've built here
A green card isn't permanent in the way the name suggests. It expires, it can be put at risk, and it's the first step toward citizenship.
We renew and replace cards, advise on travel before a trip, help remove the conditions on a two-year card, and prepare citizenship applications when the time comes. If there's an old arrest or a missed tax year in your history, bring it up early: it's easier to plan around than to explain later.
Renewals and replacements
Travel questions before you buy the ticket
Conditions on a two-year card
Citizenship applications and the civics test
Where cards get complicated
Most of these can be fixed when they're caught early.
An expired or lost card
Status doesn't end the day the plastic does, but work and travel get harder. We file the renewal or replacement and tell you what to carry meanwhile.
Months abroad
Long trips can raise questions about whether the United States is still your home. We count the days with you before you go.
An old arrest
Some records matter and some don't, and the court papers decide which. We get them and read them first.
A two-year card
A marriage-based card needs a joint petition to remove its conditions, filed in a narrow window. We watch the date for you.
Taxes and support
Unfiled tax returns and unpaid child support can count against you. We tell you how to put them right before you apply.
Wrong names or dates
A misspelled name or a wrong birth date on a card can cause trouble years later. We correct it while it's still a small problem.
Questions from card holders
How early can I renew?
A renewal can be filed up to six months before the card expires. An expired card doesn't end your status, but it makes working and traveling harder, so don't wait.
Do I need a lawyer to renew?
Not always. Many people file a simple renewal themselves, and we'll say so if that's your case. If anything in your history is unclear, talk to a lawyer first.
When can I apply for citizenship?
The waiting period depends on how you got your green card and whether you're married to a citizen. Long trips abroad can change the count, so we check your dates before you apply.
Can I travel while an application is pending?
Some applications are damaged by a trip and others aren't. Ask before you book, and carry your card and receipt notice with you.
Before you renew, travel or apply
A short conversation now can save a long one later.