I keep reading the posts about the different types of visa's etc & you've got me a little bit worried. When I married my American husband & we went through all the rigmaroll at the U.S. embassy in London, I was issued the Resident Alien (green card). That was 14+ yrs ago. I have read posts here about them expiring & having to be renewed. If this is the case, I'm in deep s_ _t, because we've never done anything like that. I know there's a couple of the other girls who've come over here because of being married to Americans, have you's ever had to renew?
Janet
Janet, don't worry! At the time your green card was issued, the cards had no expiration dates, so yours doesn't need to be renewed. Sometime around 10 or 12 years ago the system changed and folk like me (card issued in 1992) have to renew every 10 years. Think of me queuing for hours at the Boston office next Saturday morning to get new cards for us all, and be thankful you were spared the hassle and expense!!
Jan
janj, thanks for answering,that's a relief to know as I'd scrutinised my E.T. card & couldn't find any expiration date on it. Next time I need to clean the bathroom, I'll get on with it instead of putting it off!
Janet
I got my green card when I first came over in 1987. I married an American too. I had to renew it in 1992 and then again in 2000 if I remember correctly. There was no expiry date on mine either, but I seem to remember that I got a reminder in the mail. I hope that doesn't scare you janj, or maybe it's different for everyone depending on when and where you got married.
Jo
No, not scared Jo! I didn't marry an American (now THAT would have scared me lol ) so we have the regular cards, now up for renewal after ten years.
Jan
You may want to contact the INS National Customer Service Center to ask about this. 1-800-375-5283
Regards
Nigel
Janj - you do not have to renew your Green Card, as, like mine, it was issued between 1977 and Oct 1989.
The person who had to renew hers twice had to do so because she had a 'conditional' Green Card - issued due to marrying an American - and she would have been reminded by the INS to apply for removal of the conditions & reissue of the visa ,
We lucky (1977-1989) people can wait until summoned in later years (decades?) by the INS - but don't worry, even if the card expires, your permanent residency doesn't, and they will issue you a new one.