It is a festive season all over and there is good news for Indians living abroad or wanting to live abroad. Effective from September 26, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services has extended the ‘grace period’ for renewals from 12 months to 24 months.
It is a big dream for everyone across the world to live and work in the US. For this, they are given a permanent resident card or the ‘green card’. The green card provides important rights, including the right to live in the United States permanently, unless of course if the resident indulges in activities that make him eligible for removal. The permanent status also gives the individual the right to work in any position except those that are restricted to US citizens for security reasons.
However, the catch is that there is a long waiting time after filling out Form I-90 to obtain a replacement green card. Typically, a green card expires in 10 years and the holder loses the right to gain new employment in the United States or to travel abroad.
Now, the USCIS will send an updated receipt notice (Form I-797, Notice of Action) to green card holders with newly filed Form I-90s, indicating that their green card will be valid for another 24 months. This can be used to prove employment authorization for I-9 purposes and to authorize re-entry into the United States if one travels abroad within that period.
As for employers, the grace period will help bring on green card holders during the period as new hires.
