Can I Apply for Citizenship with an Expired Green Card?

A question I’m often asked is: “Can I apply for Citizenship with an expired green card?”

When you first receive your green card, it’s an exciting time. You’ve finally won your case, and you are starting your life as a new permanent resident of the United States.

But over the years life happens, and you may forget to renew your permanent resident card. Now you really want to start the citizenship process, but you are worried there will be problems because your green card is expired. You worry you’ll get into trouble because you don’t have a valid card or that your naturalization case will be denied because you did not renew on time.

Those fears are normal. Don’t let these worries prevent you from pursuing your citizenship.

So long as you have maintained your status as a permanent resident and meet the continuous residence, physical presence and good moral character requirements, you can apply for citizenship even though your green card is expired.

You may still need to renew your card at the same time, depending on the policies at your local immigration office and whether you need the card for employment authorization or travel outside the United States. Consult with a local immigration lawyer to determine whether you should renew your card while your naturalization case is pending.

However, if your expired card was a conditional card and you didn't get the conditions removed, you are in danger and should consult with a lawyer immediately. If you were married to your spouse for less than two years at the time you received your permanent residence card and you got your card through that marriage, you are a conditional resident.

You can check whether your residence is conditional by taking out your expired card and looking at the admission category. If it says “CR1” or “CF1” you are a conditional resident and need to get yourself to an immigration lawyer immediately because you missed the deadline to remove your conditions.

In the current immigration environment, it’s best not to let your permanent resident card expire. But if you did, now is the time to take action.

More questions about green cards or citizenship? Join my free weekly Immigration Q&A and get answers.