Permanent Resident FAQ at Total Immigration

First Name	*
Last Name	*
Home Phone	*
Work Phone	Ext
Cell Phone
Email	*
Zip Code	*
What are you looking to achieve?
Are you submitting this request because of an inquiry from the Immigration Office? Yes No
Have you ever applied for a Visa?
Have you ever applied for a Change of Status?
How do you plan on financing your legal representation? *
Are you interested in applying for financing your legal fees? Yes No
Are you already represented by an attorney? * Yes No

Permanent Resident FAQs

My application for permanent residency was denied. Can I apply again?

If your application for permanent residency was denied, you can appeal the decision of USCIS to the Administrative Appeals Unit or the Board of Immigration Appeal, which is part of the Executive Office of Immigration Review. Along with your notice of denial, you will be given a letter stating the reasons for denial as well as information for making an appeal, including the jurisdiction of the appellate court and any applicable deadlines.

How do I renew my permanent resident card?

Simply fill out form Form I-90, "Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card." You can do this on the USCIS website by submitting the form online or by printing the form and submitting it by mail. A permanent resident card is valid for 10 years, while a conditional permanent resident card is valid for two years, after which you must apply to have the conditions removed. However, even though your green card must be renewed, your permanent residence status does not expire.

I've lost my permanent resident identification card. How do I replace it?

Just as with renewal of the green card, you must complete Form I-90, "Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card."

How many green cards are granted every year?

Each qualification for a green card has its own quota, except for U.S. citizens sponsoring immediate relatives and political asylees, for which green cards are granted in unlimited amounts (typically from 300,000 to 500,000 each year). However, the number of family-based green cards otherwise granted is a total of 226,000, and the number of employment-based green cards granted is 140,000. The Diversity Lottery allots 55,000 green cards as well. For family-based green cards, immigrants from mainland China, India, Mexico and the Philippines are subject to specific country quota as well.

Can I bring my family to the United States as a permanent resident?

Family members of permanent residents are eligible to receive sponsorship from permanent residents to obtain a green card for themselves if they are (1) a spouse or (2) an unmarried child of any age in relation to the green card holder. For permanent residents, this is called a F2 immigration status (Family Second Preference) (this is not to be confused with the F-2 visa, which is the nonimmigrant visa for dependents of F-1 visa-holding students). Only 114,200 of these visas are granted each year, and there is a current backlog of 5-9 years, depending on how you are related to the permanent resident.

Do I have to pay taxes if I have a green card?

Yes. In the eyes of the IRS, a permanent resident is subject to taxation of income, dividends, wages and all other compensation in exactly the same way as U.S. citizen. With this responsibility also comes greater privilege, in the form of access to social welfare programs like Social Security as well as other government programs for which taxpayers are eligible.

Does the length of my period of continuous residency for citizenship restart if I have to leave the United States?

If your period of absence from the United States is longer than one year, then your continuous residency required for future naturalization must restart from zero upon your reentry. In some cases, you may apply to maintain this status by submitting Form N-470, "Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes." If your trip is shorter than one year, you do not lose your status.

Immigration Articles