USCIS Announces Policy Changes for N-400 Applicants

To help green card holders continue to legally live and work in the U.S. while they wait for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to process their citizenship application, USICS will now grant an automatic green card extension for those who’ve applied for naturalization (Form N-400). 

Per the new policy guidance:

• Green card holders who file their N-400 properly will receive an automatic extension on their permanent residency cards (PRC).

• The extension will last 24 months from the expiration date on the LPR’s green card.

• All green card holders subject to this policy are reminded that they’re required to have their PRC with them as proof of legal status in the U.S.

• Green card holders won’t need to file a Form I-90 as long as their N-400 was correct.

This announcement comes on the heels of recent immigration backlogs, which have increased USCIS processing times, including the time it takes for USCIS to review and approve citizenship applications. 

Prior to this policy change, many green card holders waiting for their citizenship applications to be reviewed filed a Form I-90 to request a green card renewal if theirs was at risk of expiring during the review process. This ensured they could continue to legally work and live in the U.S. or travel outside the country while their citizenship application was under consideration.