Imagine applying for a simple green card renewal and then suddenly a 4-month processing time is extended to nearly 4 years! That’s horrifying for a permanent US resident as they live with uncertainty and anxiety.
A green card holder recently shared his ordeal claiming he applied for renewal in October 2024 and was told it would take 3–4 months. But when he checked his status later, the processing time had jumped to 43 months.
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After seeing the initial wait time the immigrant planned to travel in the summer this year, but now those plans are on the verge of being spoiled. Weighing his options, the social media user found he needed the I-131 (Advance Parole) form, which costs $630.
However, netizens claim he doesn’t need other documents yet. If you apply for renewal before your card expires, which he did, the USCIS automatically issues an I-797 receipt notice, extending your Green Card’s validity for 24 months.
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This doesn’t guarantee hassle-free travel though as not all airlines or immigration officers understand this rule. To avoid problems, some people advise getting an I-551 stamp on their passport from a USCIS field office.
Amidst all this chaos, the major issue of this ridiculously long renewal time seems to be swept under the carpet. This has sadly become a norm with no one batting an eye against it. Yet, these terrifying backlogs at USCIS are making life harder for permanent residents.
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