Green Card Renewal Application

This post will discuss the full process for applying to renew a US permanent resident card (aka 'US green card') that is either due to expire within 6 months or already expired. For clarity, a green card is much like a driving license in most countries. In other words, its expiration date does not necessarily mean that the holder has completely lost their status. Needless to say, the timely renewal is ideal for various reasons that include re-entering the US after traveling abroad, getting a job and other activities (like applying for state identification) that require an valid card.

The renewal process requires you to send the application to the US government's immigration department named 'USCIS'.

Steps

• You should have a physical US permanent address and a US mailing address. The 2 types of address can be different.
• If your permanent (aka physical) address has changed, 
• use the AR-11 form (online or with paper format) to alert the federal government with the appropriate forms before completing the next steps. \
• Use USPS form in paper format or online. If you use the online, you must pay with a US debit or credit card.
• Complete I-90 form (See noteworthy points for the online and paper options). 

I-90 form ONLINE Application 

The online application form is the same as the paper form, except that some questions appear in a slightly different order. You find it as a helpful option to complete the paper form in advance with the instructions. However, the online form is patient and will not time you out after extended periods on single questions if you read instructions while completing it online. 

• Create an account or sign in on the USCIS website

Noteworthy items you will need

Do not become stressed if you can not immediately complete the form for whatever reason. This is because the form automatically saves your responses and keeps the details active for a few months in your account. You can therefore update your form over time.

• Images of the front AND back of the current green card (you will be given the option to upload multiple images that include JPG, PDF, etc. This allows you to even snap a shot of the card with your mobile phone's camera.). Pay special attention to the legibility of the text and numerical characters.

Payment options include:

• ACH transfer. This requires you to enter 3 details: the full name of the owner of the bank account, full account number and tracking number. 
• US credit card

Considerations

• Fill non-applicable sections with “N/A”. Do NOT leave fields blank. This even applies for simple demographic fields. Example: if you do not have a middle name, put N/A rather than leave blank.

I-90 form PAPER Application 

• Paper applications

• Noteworthy points whose adherence can save you from delays in the application process
• write in black ink
• Fill non-applicable sections with “N/A”. Do NOT leave fields blank. This even applies for simple demographic fields. Example: if you do not have a middle name, put N/A rather than leave blank.
• You do NOT need any special digital signature technology. You will be given the option to 'sign digitally' by simply filling a field with your full legal name. This will be called your digital signature.
• With form, include payment

• (Optional) G-1145 form (for electronic notification of receipt) “clipped to the first page of your application package”
• Images of the front and back sides of the physical card. Pay special attention to legibility of all of the text and number characters.
• Copy of the check
• As at 2023, the fee is: USD 540 (ie filing fee $455 + biometric test fee $85)
• Their instructions request that you write the payee as “U.S. Department of Homeland Security”. Do NOT abbreviate USDHS.
• Send to
• USCIS, Attn: I-90, PO Box 21262, Phoenix, AZ 85036-1262 (by mail) or.
• USCIS, Attn: I-90 (Box 21262), 1820 E Skyharbor Circle S, Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ 85034-4850 (by courier).

• USCIS confirms receipt of application
• Online applications are automatic. You will be given immediate feedback that you have successfully submitted your application. Before you complete the process, the system tells you if there are any issues with how you answered the questions.
• Paper application: Even if you submit a paper I-90 form, the USCIS creates an online account. To this end, they scan your paper forms and send “an ‘acceptance notice with instructions on how to access your online account” by US postal service (in paper). If you submitted the G-1145 form, they will send 
• only one email - OR - text message re
• Receipt number and information re how to check the status of the application.
• USCIS sends the 'Notice of Action' (I-797C) to advice the outcome of your application (ie if accepted, rejected, etc). When the process is working smoothly, they send this within 10 days. In some unusual cases, like after the pandemic, considerable processing delays can occur, meaning that some applicants can find themselves in a limbo situation in which you need to use the green card for some formal process (like job application, banking or otherwise) but have not yet received the updated card. “Use this notice as proof of your pending application or petition.” This form is particularly important if you find yourself in a limbo situation. This notice includes the following details. Having said this, in September 2022, the USCIS gave applicants 'automatic extensions' of 24 months. In other words, the expiration date on their physical card could have be imagined to have automatically changed to one that is 24 months later and applicants can proceed with life as they had 2 years before the expiration date on the physical card, meaning that you are unlikely to need a biometric test, even though you pay for one. However, some applicants still found themselves in the limbo because of the severity of the backlog.
• Biometrics appointment details (date, time and location). The biometric test is aka the ASC appointment. To re-schedule this appointment, call (800-375-5283). However, do so with caution and a very good reason.

• Provide biometrics (ie fingerprints, photography and signature) at a local ‘Application Support Center (ASC)’ before the USCIS interview. The appt details (date, time and location) will be included in the I-797C notification. 

Carry the following to this appoint

• The I-797C notice and ALL other notices.
• Valid photo ID (like the green card or passport)

CONTENT RELATED TO COMPLETING THE I-90 APPLICATION TO RENEW THE GREEN CARD

• If your name changes, you will need to renew your green card yet again.
• Setting up a US telephone number to send and receive calls, to receive text messages, etc
• Green card renewal application
• USPS Change of address form 'PS form 3575'
• Deregister from common mailing lists automatic subscriptions (to minimize junk mail)

Online Telephone Numbers for Business ZoIPer Call Centric

See article on buying a telephone number from Call Centric and using it for incoming and outgoing calls through the ZoIPer app on your mobile phone and or computer.

USPS Change of address

The United States Postal Service (USPS) aka the U.S. Mail, Post Office or Postal Service, is an independent agency of the executive branch of the US federal government.

This post describes the options available for officially changing your address. After completing this process, consider Deregistering from automatic subscriptions attached to your new US addresses.

Old US address to new US address

There are only 2 standard ways of submitting requests for mail forwarding services due to changes of one old US to a new US address with the USPS. 

• Using the USPS mail forwarding 'PS form 3575' in person at a post office branch. This option is free of cost. 
• Online with a US credit card from a US IP address. To deter fraud, your credit card name and address must match with your current address. Since that is the only reason for the charge, the fee is nominal, $1.10 (as at 2023).

 

However, the only other, non-standard way is as follows if you have already left your old city is the following.

• Post the USPS 'PS form 3575' from any US post office branch to the post master of your old post office. This option is free of cost. However, for extra caution, include a copy of your current valid identification because this form is supposed to be submitted in person at your old post office.

Old US address to new foreign address

If you have already left the country and since there are no downloadable versions of the USPS 'PS form 3575', the following is the only option.

• you can write a letter with ALL of the details that appear in the standard USPS 'PS form 3575' (like your intention to request 'mail forwarding services'. new and old addresses, whether the change applies to an individual, family or business; whether the change is permanent or the duration if temporary). As an (unrequested) option for extra caution, include any identification.

CONTENT RELATED TO USPS CHANGE OF ADDRESS FORM PS FORM 3575

• Green card renewal application
• USPS Change of address form 'PS form 3575'
• Deregister from common mailing lists automatic subscriptions (to minimize junk mail)
• Setting up a US telephone number to send and receive calls, to receive text messages, etc

Setup a US Number to Receive Calls on a Computer

If you wish to receive and make calls with a foreign telephone number (or US telephone number), you can buy the number from servers like Call Centric. Call Centric is the internet version of a land service provider (like AT&T, Sprint and so on). However, you will also need an application, like ZoIPer in order to make and receive calls with that number, much like how you still need to buy a physical telephone for the number you get from land service providers.

Costs

As you will below, IP telephony can even be used on mobile phones. However, this facility is possible only if those phones have an internet connection. Afterall, this is an internet facility. Needless to say, the mobile telephone line service provider will charge you separately according to your data plan. However, you are likely to avoid these additional charges if you use free WiFi.

Regarding free internet calls (between 2 computers) using these facilities, this is only possible if you are contacting other people who also use the same service provider, in this example Call Centric. In such a case, you may share your Call Centric 'SIP URL' number which starts 1777 with such people. Otherwise, there is no need to share that 'SIP URL' number with others. You will need to only share the regular telephone number with others who also only have a regular line (aka 'Public Switched Telephone Network' or regular 'telephone line' (land or mobile). 

Let's dive in

This post discusses how to connect your telephone number to the app ZoIPer, creating extensions (for connecting different devices to a single telephone number, like how a business has different extension lines for individual workers) and using the number on WhatsApp. (FYI, in the case of Call Centric, their dashboard offers additional options like SMS).

Connect ZoIPer and your Call Centric number

1. Download the ZoIPer application to your PC
2. Enter the following in the fields
1. username: 1777987654321  (NB. If you are creating extensions, enter the extension number like 1777987654321101 where the '101' at the end is the unique 3-digit extension number.
2. Password: [If you have a unique password for your extension, enter it to accompany the use of the extension from the previous field.]
3. Login button
   
   
   
   
3. Enter the following
1. hostname: sip.callcentric.net 
2. Next
4. Authentication Username (& Outbound proxy)
1. Skip button
5. Configuration testing
1. select the option that appears as available (in green)
6. .

See Call Centric instructions for mobile phones. https://www.callcentric.com/support/device/zoiper/mobile

Set up multiple extensions on a single telephone number 

It is possible to receive and make calls from your computer AND cell phone using a single telephone number that you bought from Call Centric. This type of setup requires you to create 'extensions', much like the extensions that exist popularly in corporate offices.

Call Centric will have assigned an account number that starts 177 etc ... Before setting up multiple extensions, your default setup only had one extension like this.

• 1777987654321

Your objective will be to create the following.

• 1777987654321      This is the default extension that will no longer be used and may be labeled as 'not registered'
• 1777987654321101      (for the PC)  Call Centric dashboard status: 'your phone is registered'
• 1777987654321102      (for the mobile phone)  Call Centric dashboard status: 'your phone is registered'

Extension Treatment

You can decide how you want the phone or phones to ring when calls come in. For instance, both extensions may ring simultaneously (an option that is useful if you will not always be near to your PC). This option is called 'Simultaneous ringing'. Whatever your option, you will need to set your 

For Simultaneous ringing, you will need to create a Call Treatment rule as follows:

1. Log in to Call Centric
2. Click the 'Call Treatments' tab (second level, top menu)
3. Under "Redirect call to:"---, do the following.
1. Choose "Simultaneous ringing" and choose extensions 101 and 102
2. Click Save

Setting a Call Centric Telephone number to WhatsApp

If you want to use your Call Centric telephone number on WhatsApp only (ie not for making or receiving regular telephone calls on your PC or phone), you do not need ZoIPer. However, you will need to set up SMS text messaging on the call Centric number in advance of this process (in order to receive the special code from WhatsApp). Here are the steps. 

1. If you do not already have SMS on your Call Centric number, set it up (even if just for the few minutes it will take to set up this facility
1. Login > SMS portal ..... Checkout
2. If you are already using another telephone number on WhatsApp, let WhatsApp know you want to change the number
1. Settings > Account > Change number > Next ...

CONTENT RELATED TO SETTING UP A US TELEPHONE NUMBER TO RECEIVE CALLS ON A COMPUTER, MOBILE PHONE & / WHATSAPP

• Setting up a US telephone number to send and receive calls, to receive text messages, etc
• US green card renewal application