Immigration paperwork has a way of sitting untouched until something forces the issue. A card expires. A notice arrives. A parent gets older and the question of bringing them here stops being hypothetical. Fall is a good time to take stock. Here are four things worth checking now.
1. Check your green card’s expiration date
A ten-year permanent resident card must be renewed, and you can generally file in the six months before it expires. Your status as a permanent resident does not end when the card does, but an expired card creates real problems: proving you can work, traveling, renewing a driver’s license.
If you have a two-year conditional card through marriage, the process is different, and the filing window is narrower. Check which card you have.
2. Start the petition for a family member abroad
U.S. citizens can petition for a spouse and children, and once they turn 21, for parents and siblings. Permanent residents can petition for a spouse and unmarried children. Wait times vary enormously depending on the relationship and the country. For some categories the wait is measured in years, and the clock generally starts when the petition is filed. That is the whole argument for filing sooner rather than waiting for the perfect moment.
3. Update your address if you have moved
Most non-citizens are required to report a change of address to USCIS within ten days of moving. It takes a few minutes online, and skipping it means notices go to your old address. Missing a notice can cost you a case. Failing to change your address could have a negative effect on receiving citizenship or other immigration benefits.
4. See whether you are eligible for citizenship
Many permanent residents become eligible to apply for naturalization after five years, or three years if married to and living with a U.S. citizen. Other requirements apply, including continuous residence, physical presence and good moral character. If you have been a permanent resident for a while and have not looked at this recently, it is worth a conversation.
Where to start
Gather what you have: your card, your notices, your passports. Bring them to a consultation and we will work out what applies to you.
The Law Office of Channa M. Gordon LLC handles family-based immigration for clients in Meriden, Wallingford, New Haven, Hartford and across the country.
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This post is general information, not legal advice. Immigration rules change frequently. For advice about your situation, speak with an attorney.