How Much Does It Cost To Renew Green Card?

Based on our research, the all-in cost to renew a U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Form I-90) sits between $500 and $550 (≈4.6 days working without days off at $15/hour) in 2025, once the USCIS filing fee and biometric services fee combine. The sections below detail every component, waiver, and hidden expense so permanent residents can budget accurately and avoid late-renewal headaches.

Article Insights

• Standard renewal costs $500 (≈4.2 days of your career at $15/hour)–$550 (≈4.6 days working without days off at $15/hour).
• $415 (≈3.5 days working to pay for this at $15/hour) online filing or $465 (≈3.9 days of non-stop labor at a $15/hour salary) paper, plus $85 (≈5.7 hours of your life traded for $15/hour) biometrics.
• Fee waivers via Form I-912 reduce cost to $0 for low-income applicants.
• USCIS printing errors qualify for a no-fee replacement.
• File at least six months early to avoid status gaps and rush attorney charges.
• Lifetime renewal expense totals roughly $2,500 (≈4.2 weeks of employment at a $15/hour wage)—a modest price for preserved residency rights.
• Always save digital receipts and fingerprint appointment notices.

How Much Does It Cost To Renew Green Card?

The cost to renew your Green Card starts from $415 (≈3.5 days working to pay for this at $15/hour) up to $550 (≈4.6 days working without days off at $15/hour).

Sources like Bondless and Ashoori Law note that the cost to renew a Green Card (Permanent Resident Card) in the US is generally $540 (≈4.5 days of desk time at a $15/hour wage) as of 2025. This total includes a $455 (≈3.8 days working for this purchase at $15/hour) filing fee for Form I-90 and an $85 (≈5.7 hours of your life traded for $15/hour) biometrics fee for fingerprinting, photo, and signature collection. Some sources note slight variations if you file online, with the filing fee being as low as $415 (≈3.5 days working to pay for this at $15/hour) in certain cases, but the standard total remains $540 (≈4.5 days of desk time at a $15/hour wage) for most applicants.

If you are facing financial hardship, you may apply for a fee waiver, which, if approved, exempts you from paying both the filing and biometrics fees [Boundless]. The renewal process involves submitting Form I-90 either online or by mail, paying the required fees, and attending a biometrics appointment. Processing times typically range from 7 to 14 months, so it’s recommended to apply for renewal about six months before your current Green Card expires [UpCounsel (YouTube)].

Additional costs may arise if you choose to hire an immigration attorney, with legal fees ranging from $1,500 to $2,500 (≈4.2 weeks of employment at a $15/hour wage) or more, but this is optional [Manifest Law].

Payments reach USCIS via credit/debit card, ACH, cashier’s check, or money order. Online filers attach Form G-1450 for card payments; paper filers clip a check to the packet. USCIS never permits split or installment payments.

Renewing the Green Card

A Green Card proves lawful permanent residence and expires every ten years. Without timely renewal, cardholders risk job-verification issues, travel delays, or driver’s-license denials. Understanding the exact fee, payment method, and waiver rules guards against unnecessary consultant charges and last-minute panic. This guide covers official pricing, real-world examples, cost-saving strategies, and long-term ownership math.

Real-Life Cost Examples

Straightforward Online Renewal Elena filed through the USCIS portal and paid $415 (≈3.5 days working to pay for this at $15/hour) plus $85 (≈5.7 hours of your life traded for $15/hour). Total out-of-pocket: $500 (≈4.2 days of your career at $15/hour). She downloaded her digital receipt instantly and tracked processing in her account.

Paper Filing with Lawyer Help Hassan mailed Form I-90, check for $550 (≈4.6 days working without days off at $15/hour), and hired an attorney for document review ($600 (≈1 week of salary time at $15/hour)). Combined renewal expense: $1,150 (≈1.9 weeks of continuous work at a $15/hour wage). He chose a lawyer because a past misdemeanor required a cover letter.

Fee-Exempt Replacement María received a card with a USCIS printing error (wrong category code). She submitted an online replacement request and paid $0; biometric fee also waived under 8 CFR 103.7(c).

You might also like our articles about the cost of an immigration lawyer, becoming a US citizen, or getting a real ID.

Cost Breakdown

$415 (≈3.5 days working to pay for this at $15/hour)–$465 (≈3.9 days of non-stop labor at a $15/hour salary) Filing Fee funds USCIS officers who verify identity, screen criminal records, update databases, and generate the secure polycarbonate card.

$85 (≈5.7 hours of your life traded for $15/hour) Biometric Fee pays for fingerprint capture, digital photo, and electronic signature at an Application Support Center. The prints route to FBI for background checks before card production.

USCIS charges no postage or “platform” fees. Online filing often shaves weeks off the processing timeline because data entry is automated.

Factors Influencing the Cost

Filing Mode — Choosing the online account saves $50.

Biometric Waiver — Applicants older than 79 or who submitted usable prints in the last 15 months may receive an automatic biometric-fee cancellation, lowering cost to $415 or $465.

Replacement vs. Renewal — Lost, stolen, or mutilated cards use the same I-90 form and fee schedule. Only USCIS-error cases qualify for a total waiver.

Filing Abroad — Residents stuck overseas file through the nearest U.S. consulate but still pay domestic fees; courier expenses add $60–$100.

Alternatives and Exemptions

USCIS Printing Error — Wrong name, sex, or category? Submit evidence and receive a free corrected card.

Card Never Received — If USPS returns the original card as undeliverable, a no-fee replacement issues within 60 days.

Form I-912 Fee Waiver — Applicants below 150 % of Federal Poverty Guidelines, or on means-tested benefits, attach I-912 for both filing and biometric fees. Approval brings total cost to $0.

Ways to Reduce Cost

File Online Early — Starting the renewal six months before expiration prevents premium attorney rush fees ($200–$400).

Use the USCIS Fee Calculator to confirm no extra charge applies; avoid third-party “rush” websites mimicking the agency.

Check Eligibility for I-912 — Attach tax transcripts or benefit letters once; re-filing after a rejection costs a second full fee.

Skip non-lawyer “form-prep” companies advertising on social media; they add $100–$300 while using the same public instructions.

Expert Insights & Legal Tips

• Braydon Ilyin-Nguyen, Immigration Attorney: “Online filing keeps evidence PDFs in one secure place — far fewer Requests for Evidence, which saves clients the $85 they’d pay again when cases are rejected for missing signatures.”
• Zuleika Eshun-Grogan, Former USCIS Adjudicator: “Submit high-resolution scans. Blurry birth certificates trigger RFEs, adding months and risking status gaps.”
• Felicia Mohsen-Cortez, Immigration Paralegal: “If travel is urgent, book an InfoPass appointment for an I-551 passport stamp; it costs $0 but avoids canceled flights while the new card prints.”

Total Costs to Expect

A 30-year-old resident renewing every ten years will pay roughly $2,500 in straight fees by retirement, assuming future increases track inflation.

Errors that cause RFEs or denials multiply legal expenses. A single denial followed by refiling doubles the immediate outlay to $1,000+.

Despite periodic fees, the card grants lifelong work eligibility, border re-entry rights, and a path to citizenship—benefits dwarfing the recurring expense.

Hidden & Unexpected Costs

Late Renewal — Travelers who let cards lapse risk airline denials; rebooking or embassy boarding letters can cost $250–$500.

Returned Checks — If bank funds fail, USCIS rejects the filing and charges a $30 penalty.

Name Change After Marriage — Court-certified name-change documents run $150–$300, added to renewal fees.

Payment Methods & Submission Options

Online payers load credit-card data through Pay.gov inside the USCIS portal; immediate receipt PDFs confirm submission time to the second.

Paper filers must mail a single personal check or money order clipped atop Form I-90. Write “I-90 fee” and A-Number on the memo line.

Lockbox addresses vary by state residence—incorrect routing returns the packet un-opened, wasting weeks and postage.

Timeline & Processing Considerations

Current national processing averages 6–12 months. Filing six months before expiration prevents employer I-9 issues.

Need proof sooner? Schedule an InfoPass appointment for a free one-year I-551 stamp if the case is pending and travel or employment is pressing.

Delays force indirect costs: missed travel plans, HR hold-ups, or driver’s-license denials that impose late fees or rideshare expenses.

Answers to Common Questions

How much does it cost to renew a Green Card in 2025? Expect $500 if filed online or $550 for paper, inclusive of the biometric fee.

Can I skip paying anything? Yes—fee waivers apply for proven low income, and USCIS fixes its own card errors for free.

Does USCIS allow installment payments? No. Full payment must accompany the I-90 submission.

Are residents over 79 required to pay the biometric fee? Generally, applicants aged 79+ are exempt from the $85 biometric charge, dropping total cost to $415–$465.