The average wait times for green card processing has increased by almost seven months, per U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The increase is seen in the second quarter of 2025, or from Month 1 to Month 3. The increase is emblematic of the ongoing backlog in the U.S. immigration system.
Individuals must file I-90 forms when their current residency card expires. Most Permanent Resident cards (Green cards) only last for about ten years before requiring renewal. An expired green card doesn’t revoke a person’s permanent resident status. However, an expired green card can cause problems for residents seeking employment or when traveling. It’s always a good idea to renew green cards before they expire, accounting for processing time.
The USCIS website states the wait times for first receipt or replacing green cards are significantly longer than those renewing them. Individuals in the former group should be especially proactive in filing their application. People just renewing their green cards should expect twelve and a half months of processing time, per USCIS.
This dramatic increase in processing time is due to a surge of renewal applications USCIS received in the first three months of 2025. This coincides with the U.S. government adopting stricter approaches to immigration enforcement. In September 2024, USCIS announced a thirty-six-month extension to all green cards to help relieve the backlog. Current holders should take advantage of the extra time and file as soon as possible. People applying for their first green card should take the increased duration of wait times into account, too.
As always, ILBSG actively monitors ongoing U.S. immigration news. If you have questions about any U.S. immigration related issue, contact us. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you get the right advice based on the most recent laws. In an ever-evolving immigration policy landscape, it’s particularly critical.