Talk To A Chicago Immigration Attorney
312-332-2550
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
I cannot recommend Kevin Raica highly enough. He helped me successfully obtain my U.S. green card, and the entire process was smooth and stress-free because of his expertise and dedication. From start to finish, Kevin was professional, organized, and extremely knowledgeable about immigration law. He made sure every document was prepared correctly and took the time to explain each step clearly. Anytime I had questions, he responded promptly and made…
Great experience with this attorney office. They helped me with my I-751 waiver after divorce. Kevin was very professional, and supported me through the interview. Everything went smoothly and my case was approved. Highly recommend!
We contacted Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, based on a recommendation, when my wife was detained by ICE. Attorney Khiabett Osuna handled our case, and it turned out to be the right choice. From the very beginning, she proved herself to be a caring and competent professional, clearly explaining the process. You can tell she's truly invested in each case and achieving results for her clients. We've also heard of…
I would like to express my gratitude to Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, and especially to attorney Khiabett Osuna, who handled my case. I contacted them based on a recommendation and have never regretted it. From the very beginning, she demonstrated high professionalism. I could tell she was genuinely committed to the outcome and was doing everything possible to protect her client.
Mr. Kriezelman, Mr. Burton and Ms. Erin Cobb, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for handling my case. Your knowledge and dedication to my case is truly appreciated. Thank you.
I highly recommend Brittni Rivera. We are very grateful to her and the entire team at Kriezelman Burton & Associates. Your dedication, responsiveness, and compassion made an enormous difference during an incredibly difficult time. Serving as the liaison between Brittni Rivera and our friend in ICE detention, I saw firsthand how tirelessly she worked guiding us through the process, answering every question, and never losing sight of the humanity at…
Andrea C. Ochoa is truly the best of the best. ❤️ Our family went through one of the most difficult and frightening experiences of our lives when Feruz was detained by ICE. We felt lost, scared, and unsure of what would happen next. From the very beginning, Andrea brought us not only her professionalism and deep legal knowledge, but also something even more important — hope. She guided us through…
Thank you Matthew for all your help with my case. Highly recommend
In the final stages of our employment based green card, Maya Flores was very helpful. She guided us through the details, made a mock up interview and then went with us to the actual appointment. We were able to see her expertise because she made some clarifications to the officer. Very good service, 5 well deserved stars.
Los mejores abogados !!
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