The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced an important change that directly affects legal permanent residents who need to renew or replace their residency card (Green Card).
Since May 29, only the new version of the I-90 Form will be accepted.
This notice is crucial for Cubans and other migrants residing legally in the United States, as the use of an incorrect form will result in the automatic rejection of the application, with no possibility of correction.
What is Form I-90 and who should use it?
The Form I-90 is used exclusively for lawful permanent residents to renew or replace their Green Card in the following situations:
-The card is about to expire or has already expired.
- The Green Card was lost, stolen, or damaged.
There are errors in the printed personal data.
-There was a change of name or other relevant information.
This procedure does not apply to initial residence applicants, but rather to those who already possess a valid or expired card.
New mandatory edition starting May 29, 2025
USCIS has been emphatic in its statement:
"Before sending your package to USCIS, make sure that all the forms you have completed are the current edition."
This means that applicants must download and use only the latest version of Form I-90, available on the official USCIS.gov site.
Consequences of using incorrect forms
The warning is clear: presenting an earlier version, one that is incomplete, or includes pages from different editions can have serious consequences:
-The application will be rejected without the possibility of correction.
You will need to start the entire process again with the updated version.
-Valuable time will be lost, especially if the Green Card is about to expire.
USCIS insists that:
"For each form you submit, please ensure that all pages are from the same edition. If any page of the form is from a different edition, we may reject it."
Additionally, they explicitly advise against using forms downloaded from third-party sites or unofficial platforms, as they are often outdated or incomplete.
How can you tell if the correct version is being used?
Each official form contains the edit date in two places:
-At the bottom of each page of the document.
In the "Edition Date" section of the USCIS website.
It is essential to verify this information before sending any document.
You can also check the section “USCIS Forms: Download the latest version!” to confirm that you have the correct document.
Form submission: step by step
The I-90 form can be completed in two ways:
Online, through a USCIS account. This option is faster, safer, and allows you to track the status of the application.
By mail, through the designated Lockbox. In this case, USCIS recommends carefully reviewing the guide “Five Steps to File” available on their website.
Cost of the procedure and exemptions
The standard cost to submit Form I-90 is 540 dollars, which includes:
-455 USD for application processing.
-85 USD for the collection of biometric data.
However, some individuals may be eligible for a payment exemption based on their economic situation. This option must also be requested using the appropriate forms and necessary supporting documentation.
Final recommendations
-No wait until your Green Card is about to expire. Start the process several months in advance.
- Carefully check that all pages of the form are from the same official edition.
-Only use documents downloaded directly from the USCIS.gov website.
If you have doubts, consult the guides available on the official page or seek specialized legal advice.
This new requirement is already in effect, so it is essential for legal permanent residents in the United States to be informed and prepared to comply with the new regulations.
An administrative error, no matter how small it may seem, could significantly delay your immigration renewal.
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