Renewing a green card is one of the most routine steps a lawful permanent resident takes, yet the cost and the timing catch many people off guard in 2026. If your ten-year card is nearing its expiration date, the fee you pay depends on how you file, and the wait for a replacement card is far longer than it was a few years ago. This report breaks down the current Form I-90 filing fee, the online versus paper difference, when to renew, and how to prove your status while you wait.
What Green Card Renewal Costs in 2026
Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, is used to renew an expiring ten-year green card or to replace one that is lost, stolen, or damaged. Under the USCIS fee schedule that took effect in 2024, the agency combined the old filing fee and the separate biometrics fee into a single charge and introduced a discount for filing online.
According to USCIS, the current I-90 fee is $415 when you file online and $465 when you file on paper, with no separate $85 biometrics fee on top. The $50 gap is designed to steer applicants toward the online system. Because published fees can change, always confirm the exact amount on the official USCIS fee schedule (Form G-1055) before you submit payment.
| Filing method | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Online (USCIS account) | $415 | Lowest cost; biometrics included |
| Paper (mail) | $465 | $50 higher than filing online |
| Fee waiver (Form I-912) | $0 if approved | Paper filing only |
Biometrics are already included
Before the 2024 fee rule, most I-90 filers paid an extra $85 biometrics fee. USCIS folded that cost into the filing fee, so the figures above are what most renewal applicants pay in total. A narrow set of situations, such as a card issued because of a USCIS error, remain fee-exempt.
Online vs. Paper Filing
Filing online through a USCIS account is the cheaper option and gives you a digital record, real-time case updates, and immediate confirmation of receipt. Paper filing still exists for those who prefer it or who need to request a fee waiver, which cannot be submitted online.
- Cost: Online saves you $50 on the filing fee.
- Fee waiver: If you cannot afford the fee, Form I-912 must be filed on paper.
- Payment: For paper filings, USCIS generally requires card payment via Form G-1450 or bank withdrawal via Form G-1650 rather than a personal check.
When to Renew Your Green Card
USCIS advises green card holders to file Form I-90 within the six months before the card expires. Renewing early matters more than it used to, because processing times have climbed sharply. If your card has already lapsed, you remain a lawful permanent resident, the card is only the physical evidence of that status, and you can and should file without further delay.
Our green card renewal guide walks through the full filing checklist, and the step-by-step renewal walkthrough shows exactly what to submit. For a closer look at the numbers, the renewal cost breakdown covers fees, photos, and mailing.
One common mix-up is worth clearing up: Form I-90 renews a standard ten-year green card, but it is not the form for two-year conditional residents. If you hold a conditional card through marriage or investment, you must file Form I-751 or Form I-829 to remove conditions instead, not Form I-90. Filing the wrong form can cost you both the wait and the fee, so confirm which card you hold before you begin.
Proving Your Status While You Wait
Processing an I-90 now takes many months, so USCIS has extended how long your receipt notice keeps your expired card valid. Recent Form I-797C receipt notices state that they extend the validity of the green card for 36 months beyond the printed expiration date. You carry the expired card together with the receipt notice as proof of continued permanent residence.
If you need physical proof sooner, for a new job, international travel, or a property closing, you can request an ADIT stamp (also called an I-551 stamp) by making an appointment at a USCIS field office. The stamp is placed in your passport and serves as temporary evidence of lawful permanent resident status. Longer waits across the agency are covered in our report on record-high USCIS processing times.
The Bigger USCIS Fee Picture
The I-90 fee sits inside a broader shift in USCIS costs. The 2024 fee rule reset filing fees across most application types, and the 2025 reconciliation law known as H.R.1 layered new and higher fees onto many immigration benefits, from asylum applications to certain work permits. Green card renewal was not singled out for a special surcharge under H.R.1, but the trend across the system is clearly toward higher, more frequent charges. That makes it worth filing correctly the first time, because a rejected I-90 means paying the fee again.
Remember that the government fee covers only the filing cost. You may also pay for passport-style photos and mailing, and, if you choose, an attorney or preparer. None of those are required by USCIS for a straightforward renewal, but they add to the real-world total you should budget for.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to renew a green card in 2026?
USCIS lists the Form I-90 filing fee at $415 when you file online and $465 when you file on paper, based on the fee schedule that took effect in 2024. There is no separate biometrics fee. Always confirm the current amount on the official USCIS fee schedule before you pay, because fees can change.
When should I file Form I-90 to renew my green card?
USCIS generally recommends filing Form I-90 within the six months before your ten-year green card expires. Filing early helps you avoid a gap in proof of status, since processing now takes many months. If your card has already expired, you can still file, and USCIS issues a receipt notice that extends the card while you wait.
How do I prove my status while I wait for a new green card?
Your Form I-797C receipt notice for Form I-90 currently extends the validity of your expired green card, and recent notices state a 36-month extension. If you need physical evidence sooner, you can request an ADIT stamp, also called an I-551 stamp, at a USCIS field office. This stamp serves as temporary proof of lawful permanent residence.
Last verified: July 2026 · Reviewed by the USImmigrationLaw.Today editorial team.