Green Card Renewal & Resident Applications Attorney in Silver Spring, Maryland

Green Card Renewal (I-90)

Permanent resident cards (green cards) expire and must be renewed. Most green cards are valid for 10 years. The Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card) must be filed within 6 months of the card's expiration date — or earlier if the card is lost, stolen, or damaged.

While a green card should be renewed on time, the underlying permanent resident status itself does not expire — but an expired card can cause difficulties with employment verification, travel, and other matters requiring proof of status. Our firm ensures timely I-90 filings and provides guidance on using the application receipt notice as temporary evidence of status.

• Form I-90 green card renewal (standard 10-year renewal)
• I-90 for lost, stolen, or mutilated cards
• I-90 to update name or other biographical information
• I-90 for residents who never received their card
• Biometrics and tracking the renewal through USCIS

Removing Conditions on Residence (I-751)

Spouses who obtained permanent residence based on a marriage less than 2 years old receive a conditional green card — valid for only 2 years. To remove these conditions and obtain a permanent (10-year) green card, the couple must file Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence) within the 90-day window before the conditional card expires.

In most cases, the petition is filed jointly by both spouses and supported by evidence of the continuing bona fide marriage (joint tax returns, joint lease or mortgage, joint bank accounts, photos, correspondence, insurance policies). Attorney Fogam helps assemble the strongest possible evidentiary package.

In cases where the marriage has ended in divorce, the spouse in proceedings can file a waiver of the joint filing requirement. Waivers are also available for victims of domestic violence (VAWA waiver) and cases where the joint petition would result in extreme hardship. These waiver petitions require careful documentation.

• Joint I-751 petition with comprehensive marriage evidence
• I-751 divorce waiver (marriage ended in good faith)
• I-751 VAWA waiver for domestic violence survivors
• I-751 extreme hardship waiver
• I-751 for children who obtained conditional residence
• Interview preparation for I-751 cases selected for interview

Re-Entry Permits and Returning Resident Visas

Permanent residents planning to travel outside the United States for extended periods (generally more than 6–12 months) should obtain a re-entry permit (Form I-131) before departing. A re-entry permit is valid for up to 2 years and allows the holder to re-enter the United States without abandoning their permanent resident status, even after extended absences.

For LPRs who have already spent more than 1 year outside the United States, a returning resident (SB-1) visa application at a U.S. embassy or consulate may be necessary. SB-1 applicants must show that their extended absence was beyond their control and that they did not abandon their U.S. residence.

• Form I-131 re-entry permit (apply before departure from U.S.)
• SB-1 returning resident visa applications
• LPR abandonment of status analysis
• Travel document planning for LPRs and asylees
• Refugee Travel Documents for asylees and refugees

Other Resident Status Applications

Beyond renewal and condition removal, lawful permanent residents may need our assistance with a variety of status-related matters: updating USCIS records after a name change, obtaining evidence of LPR status, applying for a record of admission for permanent residence (N-600 for those who derived citizenship), or addressing LPR status questions arising from naturalization interviews.

We also assist Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients with renewal applications, advance parole, and long-term planning toward permanent residence.

• DACA renewal applications (Form I-821D)
• Advance parole for DACA recipients (Form I-131)
• N-565 replacement of naturalization certificate or citizenship document
• N-600 Certificate of Citizenship for derivative citizens
• Evidence of LPR status (I-551 stamps, receipts)
• Abandonment of LPR status counseling