If your green card renewal or replacement is taking longer than expected, the latest USCIS data show a broader slowdown: the national historical median for Form I-90 rose to 7.4 months in fiscal year 2026 through August 30, compared with 4.1 months in fiscal year 2025. This does not mean your lawful permanent resident status ended when the card expired or that every I-90 case will take 7.4 months.

This development primarily affects lawful permanent residents who filed Form I-90 to renew or replace a Permanent Resident Card. Concern about an expired card is understandable, especially when travel, employment verification, or identification is involved. The data describe completed-case timing; they do not announce a new rule canceling status or approvals.

Plain-English Explanation

Form I-90 is generally used by lawful permanent residents to renew an expiring or expired 10-year green card or replace a card that was lost, stolen, damaged, or contained incorrect information. It is not the correct form for every situation, including some matters involving conditional permanent residence.

Think of the 7.4-month median as the middle package-delivery time in a large shipment. Half of the I-90 cases USCIS completed during the reporting period finished sooner and half took longer. The number looks backward at completed cases; it is not a tracking estimate for one person's card.

The immigration practice at SanSha Law Office helps permanent residents nationwide understand renewal, replacement, status-documentation, and naturalization questions.

Practical Impact

A longer wait can create practical concerns even though an expired card does not itself terminate lawful permanent resident status. Proof may be needed for employment, travel, identification, or benefits, and the available evidence depends on the filing basis and documents in hand.

Example 1: A permanent resident timely filed Form I-90 to renew a 10-year card and received a receipt notice, but the replacement card has not arrived after several months. The national median may explain the general pace, but it does not establish whether the person's evidence is sufficient for a planned international trip or a particular employer request.

If an expired, lost, or delayed card is affecting your plans, a consultation can help clarify the difference between immigration status and the documents used to prove that status.

What We Know vs. What's Still Developing

We know USCIS reports a 7.4-month national historical median for completed I-90 replacement or renewal cases in fiscal year 2026 through August 30. The comparable fiscal year 2025 median was 4.1 months. A median means half of completed cases took less time and half took more.

We also know USCIS historical data may change as agency systems update and that the number is not the same as a case inquiry date. USCIS provides a separate case-processing-time tool to determine when a particular receipt may be eligible for an inquiry.

What is still developing is whether the median will rise, fall, or stabilize as more fiscal year 2026 cases are completed. It does not explain an individual case or predict card delivery.

Example 2: Two residents may file I-90 applications in the same week. One case may be completed sooner because the record is straightforward, while another may require biometrics, identity review, corrected information, or additional evidence. The national midpoint cannot explain that difference by itself.

Why Legal Strategy Still Matters

The right approach depends on the reason for filing and the person's immigration history. A lost card, expired 10-year card, incorrect biographic information, commuting status, or a card never received may involve different evidence and fee questions. Conditional residents generally use Form I-751 or Form I-829 to remove conditions rather than using I-90 merely because a two-year card is expiring.

Travel plans, employment verification, and pending naturalization can also change the analysis. Legal review cannot guarantee faster card production, but it can help identify whether the correct form was filed, what a notice means, and whether another form of temporary evidence may be relevant.

What This Could Look Like For You

• Your 10-year green card expired while a timely I-90 renewal remains pending.
• Your card was lost, stolen, damaged, or never received.
• You need proof of permanent residence for work, travel, identification, or benefits.
• You have a two-year conditional card and are unsure whether I-90 is the correct form.

Common Misunderstanding

An expired green card is not the same as expired lawful permanent resident status. The plastic card is evidence of status; it is not the status itself. Still, proof matters in real life, and the correct documentation depends on the filing basis and the person's circumstances. A 7.4-month median is not a guaranteed deadline and does not prove that a case taking longer has been denied.

Questions People Are Asking

Did my permanent resident status expire with my green card?

Generally, no. Lawful permanent resident status does not automatically end because the card expires, although an expired card can create practical proof problems.

Does the 7.4-month median predict when my card will arrive?

No. It is a historical national midpoint for completed cases, not an individualized forecast or delivery date.

Can a conditional resident use Form I-90 to renew a two-year card?

Generally, a conditional resident must use the appropriate petition to remove conditions rather than I-90 simply to renew an expiring two-year card. Individual facts should be reviewed carefully.

Sources

• USCIS — Historical National Median Processing Times
• USCIS — Form I-90 Instructions
• USCIS — Case Processing Times

For more information about nationwide representation, visit About SanSha Law Office or review the consultation page.

If you are unsure how these changes affect your case, the immigration attorneys at SanSha Law Office can help you understand your options and plan for timely renewals.

We hope this information helps you feel more confident as you navigate the immigration process. If you have any questions or need assistance with your specific case, contact us at SanSha Law Office today at 469-777-6161. Our team is here to support you every step of the way. Contact us today to get started or for a consultation — we're ready to help you move forward.

Disclaimer

We regularly update our blog section to acquaint the community with the latest changes in Immigration policies. Please note the information in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be nor should it be construed as legal advice. We can promptly and efficiently represent clients located anywhere in the US or abroad on US Immigration Policies. If you seek further clarification, don't hesitate to contact SanSha Law Office at [email protected] or call us at 469-777-6161.