Four Reasons You Should Not Let Your Green Card Expire
Looking for A Specific Post? Search Below
It is easy for your green card to expire and for you not to notice. Even if you carry it with you at all times, you probably do not look at it all that often. For many people, the cost of renewing a green card is enough to put the task off, even when they know it is expiring. However, there are many problems associated with an expired green card, and if your card is not valid, you may not even realize them until it is too late. Below are the four biggest reasons you should never let your green card expire.
It is Difficult to Get a Job Without a Green Card
Anytime you begin a new job, your new employer will have to fill out a Form I-9 to verify that you are authorized to work in the United States. When filling out this form, you will have to show a valid green card. If your card has expired, it is illegal for an employer to accept it. There are other documents you can use, such as a passport with a temporary I-551 stamp. If that stamp has also expired, it could take weeks before you receive valid documentation, and that means you will also have to wait to start your new job.
You May Not be Able to Reenter the Country
If you travel outside of the country and wish to reenter, an expired green card will make this much more difficult. Some airlines will not allow you to board with an expired card, but even if they do, Customs & Border Protection (CBP) will still need to see valid proof of legal residency. If they do accept your expired green card, you will still have to pay a costly re-entry fee, and you could be held up at the airport for hours. In the worst-case scenario, the CBP may not allow you to re-enter at all.
You May Not be Able to Renew Your Driver’s License
To renew your driver’s license, you typically must show proof of residency within the state. A green card can provide this proof. It takes approximately six months to get a new green card, so if you allow yours to expire it could mean that you also would not be able to drive during that time.
Buying a Home is Difficult Without a Green Card
Legal permanent residents can apply for the same types of loans as U.S. citizens, including those from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. However, you will need to show a valid green card and likely your Social Security number. If your green card has expired, it is not considered valid and that could keep you from homeownership.
Need Help Getting Your Green Card? Call Our Illinois Immigration Attorneys
If you need to obtain a green card, our Chicago immigration attorneys at Kriezelman, Burton & Associates, LLC can help. We will ensure your application is completely and accurately filled out and that you include all the necessary documents so you can receive your green card as quickly as possible. Call us today to schedule a meeting with one of our attorneys so we can start reviewing your case.
What Our Clients Say
5-Star Rating | Based on 200+ Satisfied Customer Google Reviews
Highly recommend attorney Kevin Raica and attorney Agata Bigdanowicz. They were super helpful, responded on time, and won my case in record time. It took about a month and half in total for me to get my approval after filing!
Brittni Rivera and her team (Carina Lopez) are fantastic! They are responsive, efficient and beyond compassionate. Brittni Rivera and her team treated me with dignity and respect as they patiently answered all of my questions. They didn't move on without making sure I understood each step. Their work ethic was impressive. It felt like they were an extension of my personal team. I can't say enough to convey my gratitude…
Kevin Raica and his team handled my immigration application and i can other recommend them enough. They made a stressful process very easy. They are very knowledgeable in this area and helped us at every stage from beginning to end.
Brittni Rivera She is my Attorney from 2017 Thank you so, so much. This truly wouldn’t have been possible without you, Brittni. Can’t wait to file for the green cards.
We hoped and prayed for this day, not knowing if it would ever come. Deportations are incredibly scary and overwhelming. We wanted to give a very special thank you to Jennifer Peyton of Chicago for securing this victory for us! With Jennifer on our side we were able to get our loved one back. On behalf of our family, thank you. When we started this journey, we had hoped and…
Matthew Kriezelman, first of all, thank you very much; you and your team are the best immigration lawyers in Chicago. I had a great experience—your professionalism was outstanding, and you were always there whenever needed. I give you five stars for the wonderful work you and your team did. Thanks again.
Hay momentos en la vida en los que una familia siente que el mundo se detiene. Nosotros vivimos uno de esos momentos y, en medio de la incertidumbre y el miedo, tuvimos la fortuna de encontrar a la abogada Sheila McNulty y al paralegal Rafael Rodríguez . Nos escucharon con empatía, nos guiaron con paciencia y defendieron nuestro caso con un profesionalismo, una dedicación y una calidad humana realmente excepcionales.…
We would like to take a moment to sincerely thank Khiabett for her exceptional work and dedication in handling my husband’s removal proceedings case. We also want to thank Agata for her great communication during the gathering of all documents. Khiabett we are incredibly grateful for your expertise, guidance, and persistence throughout the entire process. I can't thank you enough for your empathy and standing by me during such a…
Justin Burton is extremely professional knowledgeable and helpful. I’m extremely thankful for his help and patience with my case. I strongly advise to use his services and refer him to anybody in need of legal help. Thank you.
I wanted to share my experience and say that attorney Britney Rivera is extremely competent in her work. I had heard from friends that she was a very strong lawyer, and she certainly proved to be one. She won our case in a very short time, and my family and I are incredibly grateful to her!🌹And a big thank you to her team as well!🌹🌹🌹
Schedule A Consultation!
Libertyville
Attorney Advertising. This information is designed for general information only. The information presented should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. Past results and testimonials are not a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of the outcome of your case, and should not be construed as such. Past results cannot guarantee future performance. Any result in a single case is not meant to create an expectation of similar results in future matters because each case involves many different factors, therefore, results will differ on a case-by-case basis. By providing contact information, users acknowledge and give explicit consent to be contacted via the methods of communication provided, including SMS. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. Reply STOP to opt out.
NUVEW | Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved | Accessibility Notice | privacy policy