A 10-year green card doesn't renew itself — lawful permanent residents have to actively file Form I-90 before or after it expires, and starting early makes a real difference given current processing times. * You're allowed to file Form I-90 as early as 180 days, or 6 months, before your card's expiration date. Given that processing can take well over a year in some cases, filing right at that 180-day mark rather than waiting until closer to expiration is worth doing if you can. * Form I-90 also covers situations beyond routine renewal — it's the same form used to replace a green card that's been lost, stolen, damaged, or mutilated, not just one that's simply expiring on schedule. * Filing online is generally the better route: it's faster to complete, easier to track, and gives you instant confirmation that USCIS received your submission, compared to mailing in a paper form. The filing fee is $540, which includes the required biometrics appointment, and applicants who can't afford the fee can request a waiver by filing Form I-912 alongside the I-90. * Current processing times run anywhere from 6 to 24 months, a wide range driven by USCIS staffing and application volume. To bridge that gap, your I-90 receipt notice — combined with your expired physical card — serves as valid proof of your lawful permanent resident status for up to 36 months from your card's original expiration date, so you're not left without acceptable proof of status while waiting.