A green card is not truly permanent. Also known as a permanent resident card, this important immigration document affirms an immigrant’s right to remain in the country. People may qualify for green cards after living in the United States legally for years or when they first enter the country in some cases.
Most green cards only protect immigrants for 10 years. Permanent residents must routinely renew their green cards if they intend to remain in the United States. If they fail to renew their green cards or no longer meet the criteria for retaining permanent residence, possibly due to travel or criminal convictions, they could be at risk of removal from the country.
Some immigrants have to take action far sooner than 10 years after obtaining a green card. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) sometimes only provides a conditional green card.
Who receives a conditional green card?
Conditional green cards are available to those entering the country to get married to a United States citizen fiance. They are also available to foreign national spouses who married a citizen less than two years prior.
Immigrant investors also sometimes receive conditional green cards. Immigrants who have conditional green cards must validate that they meet the necessary standards to stay in the country. They must remove the conditional status from their green card to enjoy an entire decade between renewals.
When does conditional status expire?
Typically, conditional green cards expire after two years. The permanent resident with conditional status must take action promptly to avoid the loss of their green card. They must submit a petition to the USCIS seeking to remove the conditional status from the green card. They do this by establishing that they have remained married to their citizen spouse or that they continue to invest in and operate a domestic business.
Provided that the green card holder still meets all of the necessary criteria, they can then obtain a standard green card with no conditions attached. The standard green card they receive after removing their conditional status lasts for 10 years, and they no longer have to prove anything special, such as the continuation of their marriage, when they apply to renew it again.
Addressing conditional permanent resident status is important for those who want to remain in the country permanently. Immigrants who have proper support are less likely to miss important deadlines that could affect their immigration status.