The 90 day rule in immigration - changing status after you enter on a B-1/B-2
9 mins read | Sep 15, 2026
Reviewer note (pricing, to confirm before publishing). This entire guide is fee content, so every price below needs to be verified before publishing. Notes from the prior reviewing attorney (MB):
- MB read the article for sense but could not confirm the figures (no direct experience filing these).
- Tukki's own service fee for green card renewal is not in this draft; confirm our honorarium with Rami before adding any Tukki price.
- I-751 fee: MB says about $750 paper and $700 online. The body only notes that I-90 and I-751 "have different fees" without numbers; verify against the current USCIS schedule if numbers are added.
- Re-verify every USCIS fee here ($415 online, $465 paper, $0 biometrics, $575 I-131A, and the I-912 waiver) against uscis.gov right before publishing.
The green card renewal fee in 2026 is $415 if you file Form I-90 online and $465 if you file on paper. The biometrics fee is bundled into both filing options at no extra charge. If you hire an immigration attorney, expect to pay another $500 to $1,500 flat on top of the USCIS fee, depending on the complexity of your case. This guide breaks down every cost in the green card renewal process, when paying for an attorney is worth it, and the hidden costs that often catch people off guard.
What is the green card renewal fee in 2026?
Green card renewal is the process of replacing an expiring or expired permanent resident card with a new one. The form is Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, filed with USCIS. Renewal doesn't restart your status; you're still a lawful permanent resident the entire time. The fee structure changed at the start of fiscal year 2026 and is now $50 cheaper for online filers than paper filers.
Online filing fee
Filing Form I-90 online through your myUSCIS account costs $415. The fee includes biometrics, so there's no separate biometrics check to write or charge. Online filing is the cheaper of the two options, and it lets you track status, upload documents, and respond to USCIS in your account dashboard.
Paper filing fee
Filing Form I-90 by mail costs $465. The $50 premium over online filing reflects the additional handling USCIS does on paper. Biometrics is included in the paper fee too. Paper filing is sometimes the right choice if you can't access a myUSCIS account (for example, if you're outside the U.S. when the card expires), but for most renewals online is faster and cheaper.
Biometrics fee
The biometrics fee is $0 in 2026. USCIS folded the previously separate $85 biometrics fee into the I-90 filing fee starting in the April 2024 fee schedule, and that's still the structure in 2026. You don't need to write a second check; the biometrics appointment is included.
How to pay the Form I-90 filing fee
USCIS accepts several payment methods, and the right one depends on whether you're filing online or by mail.
Paying online with credit card or ACH
Online filers pay through their myUSCIS account at checkout. USCIS accepts most major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) and ACH bank transfers. Credit card payments process immediately; ACH payments take a few business days to clear before USCIS starts working the case.
Paying by mail with check or Form G-1450
Paper filers can pay by check, money order, or credit card via Form G-1450. Checks and money orders should be made payable to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security" (not "USCIS" and not "DHS"). Form G-1450 is the credit card authorization form filed alongside Form I-90 if you want to pay by credit card on a paper filing.
Sending cash is not allowed and will get the application rejected outright. Personal checks, cashier's checks, and money orders all work as long as they're written for the exact filing fee.
What happens if you pay the wrong fee
USCIS rejects any I-90 filed with the wrong fee. The rejection notice arrives by mail, the form package is returned, and you have to refile with the correct fee. Filing fees change occasionally, so always check the current fee at uscis.gov/i-90 right before filing rather than relying on older sources.
Can you get a fee waiver for green card renewal?
USCIS offers a fee waiver for Form I-90 if you can show financial hardship. The waiver is requested through Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, filed at the same time as Form I-90.
Form I-912 eligibility
You qualify for a fee waiver if any of three things are true: your household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, you currently receive a means-tested benefit (like SNAP, SSI, Medicaid, or TANF), or you can demonstrate financial hardship through other documentation (medical bills, unemployment, dependent care costs).
How to request a fee waiver
Fill out Form I-912, gather supporting documentation (tax returns, proof of benefits, hardship letter), and file it with your I-90 in the same envelope or upload in the same online filing session. USCIS reviews the I-912 first; if granted, the I-90 proceeds without a fee. If denied, USCIS sends back the package and you can refile with the fee.
A successful I-912 can save you the full $415 or $465 in filing fees, but the documentation burden is real. If your income is well above the threshold, the I-912 will be denied and you'll lose time.
How much does an immigration attorney cost for green card renewal?
Most green card renewals don't require an attorney, but some do. Attorney fees for I-90 are relatively low because the form is short, the evidence list is short, and the legal complexity is usually minimal.
Typical flat fee range
A straightforward Form I-90 from an experienced immigration attorney typically costs $500 to $1,500 as a flat fee. The lower end of that range covers a clean renewal with no complications. The upper end covers cases with name changes, criminal history, prior immigration issues, or a lost card needing extra documentation.
What an attorney actually does for a renewal
For a straightforward renewal, an attorney gathers your documents, fills out Form I-90 accurately, files it with USCIS, and tracks the case to approval. The value is in catching mistakes before USCIS sees them and in knowing which documents to include when the case has any complication.
For a complicated renewal (criminal history, name discrepancies, lost card abroad), the attorney's role expands: they advise on which documents to include, draft a brief if USCIS is likely to question something, and respond to any RFE that comes back. Our immigration lawyer cost guide covers how flat fees, hourly, and hybrid pricing work across visa and green card services.
How much does a visa cost?Get a personalized price and timeline estimate based on your visa type and nationality.
When is hiring an attorney worth it for green card renewal?
Most straightforward renewals can be done without an attorney, especially online filings where the system catches many common mistakes. The cases where an attorney earns their fee are the ones with complications USCIS will flag.
Criminal history or prior immigration issues
If you have any criminal history (even a misdemeanor or dropped charge), or any prior denial, RFE, or immigration enforcement action on your record, an attorney is worth the cost. The renewal application asks about criminal history and prior immigration issues; how you answer matters and can trigger a referral to ICE or a denial. Our do I need an immigration lawyer guide walks through the criminal history triggers in detail.
Name change or document discrepancies
A name change since you got your original green card requires supporting documentation (marriage certificate, court order, divorce decree) and a clear explanation. The same applies to any discrepancy between the name on your existing green card and the name on your other documents. An attorney can structure the documentation correctly the first time.
Lost card while traveling abroad
If your green card is lost or stolen while you're outside the U.S., the renewal process is more complicated because you can't file Form I-90 from abroad in the normal way. You typically have to file Form I-131A (Application for Travel Document, Carrier Documentation) at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to get a boarding foil that lets you fly back, and then file I-90 once you're back in the U.S. An attorney can help you navigate the embassy steps quickly.
Confusion between Form I-90 and Form I-751
Form I-90 is for replacing a 10-year permanent resident card. Form I-751 is for removing conditions from a 2-year conditional green card issued through marriage. They are not interchangeable and they have different fees. Filing I-90 when you needed I-751 (or vice versa) gets the filing rejected and can trigger a removal proceeding if your conditional residence has lapsed. If you're not sure which form you need, an attorney can confirm before you file. Our immigration lawyer for green card renewal guide covers the I-90 vs I-751 distinction.
Hidden green card renewal costs
The USCIS fee and attorney fee are the headline numbers, but a few other costs often appear during renewal.
Photos and biometrics-related fees
USCIS no longer requires you to submit passport-style photos with the I-90; the biometrics appointment captures your photo on file. But if your biometrics appointment requires travel to an Application Support Center across a city or state, the time and transportation costs are real. Most ASCs are scheduled within commuting distance, but in rural areas the appointment can be 60 to 90 miles away.
Document translation costs
If any of your supporting documents (especially for a name change) are in a language other than English, USCIS requires a certified English translation. Translation services typically charge $20 to $50 per page, with a minimum order of $40 to $60. Marriage certificates, divorce decrees, and birth certificates are the most common documents that need translation.
Travel costs if requesting an ADIT stamp
If your renewal is taking longer than your card's validity allows and you need to travel internationally, you may need an ADIT (I-551) stamp from your local USCIS field office to prove your status. The stamp itself is free, but you have to take time off work to attend the appointment in person. Some field offices are responsive, others book out months in advance.
Total green card renewal budget at a glance
Adding everything together gives you a realistic budget for the renewal.
DIY renewal budget
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Form I-90 filing fee (online) | $415 |
| Document translations (if needed) | $0 to $200 |
| Travel to biometrics appointment | $0 to $100 |
| Total DIY budget | $415 to $715 |
Attorney-assisted renewal budget
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Form I-90 filing fee (online) | $415 |
| Attorney flat fee | $500 to $1,500 |
| Document translations (if needed) | $0 to $200 |
| Travel to biometrics appointment | $0 to $100 |
| Total attorney-assisted budget | $915 to $2,215 |
For most straightforward renewals, the DIY budget is realistic. For renewals with complications, the attorney-assisted budget is closer to what you'll actually spend, and the additional cost is usually worth it. Our how to renew green card guide walks through the full Form I-90 filing process step by step.
Tukki is a U.S. immigration provider focused on employment-based visas and green cards. Our licensed immigration attorneys handle Form I-90 green card renewals, EB-1A and EB-2 NIW filings, H-1B sponsorship, and adjustment of status, with full case visibility and direct attorney access throughout your case.