Receiving Your Green Card
A Green Card is also known as a permanent resident card. The topics below reflect common questions after arrival in the United States.
Green Card Processes and Procedures
Wait Time
After entering the United States with your immigrant visa, your Green Card will be processed and mailed out by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Most of the time, things work as planned, and you and your family receive the Green Card within 60 days. But, if you do not receive your Green Card in a timely manner, here are a couple of important notes:
- It may take up to 120 days from the date you entered the country to receive your Green Card. Most cases do not take this long, so if you have been waiting 90 days from entry, it is worth checking the status of your case (see below).
- Do not complete the change of address form on the USCIS website until your Green Card is received.
Case Status
If you have been waiting, or are just curious about the status of your green card, you can
check the case status online.
To check on the status of the Green Card, you will need the receipt number that begins with “IOE” and is followed by 10 numbers. That receipt number will give you an update on your Green Card, and other helpful information related to your status.
Change of Address
Once all Green Cards have been received, the next step is to update your address with USCIS.
After Your Green Card is Granted
Leaving the Country
Please do not leave the country until you have received all Green Cards.
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