What is an IR6 Green Card?

A green card is the official proof of permanent resident status in the United States. It allows its holder to work in the country, travel freely, and eventually pursue citizenship.

Green card categories are based on the path you took to become a permanent resident, such as family sponsorship or employment. There are also various wait times for each category. Learn more about the IR6 Green Card.

How to Apply for a Green Card

Green cards are issued through an adjustment of status process that allows non-U.S. citizens who entered the United States on temporary visas to become lawful permanent residents. Boundless can guide you through the entire process, from application to interview to getting your physical card.

Your green card will have a code that starts with IR and a class of admission number that begins with CR. The first number indicates the category; the second number shows your specific order and relationship in that category. The last digit of the class of admission number is the date that USCIS received your case.

If you have a CR6 green card, your permanent residency will be conditional for two years, and you will need to file Form I-751 to remove the conditions before applying for naturalization. During the two-year period, USCIS will review your marriage to make sure that you and your spouse entered into it in good faith – not just to obtain an immigration benefit.

Renew or Replace Your Green Card

If you’re a lawful permanent resident and your green card has expired, or it will expire soon, you must file to renew it. You can do this with Form I-90.

The process can take 1.5-12 months to complete. You can check the current processing time on USCIS’ website.

You’ll also need to submit supporting documentation for your case. The forms you need depend on why your green card needs to be renewed or replaced. If your name changed, for example, you need official documentation proving the change.

If you make a mistake on your form or forget to include important documents, your renewal could be denied. It’s important to have an experienced attorney help you file your paperwork correctly the first time. That way, you can avoid delays and save time. The team at Cohen, Tucker & Ades has been helping immigrants live the American dream for over 40 years. Contact us today to see how we can help you.

Change Your Name on Your Green Card

If you have a green card, you can legally change your name in the United States. You will need to file a form, submit documentation, and pay fees.

Most people who change their names in the US do so after getting married or divorced. They also update their other official legal documents such as driver’s licenses, bank accounts, apartment leases, and job applications.

When you file to change your name due to marriage, you can also change your name on your permanent resident card at the same time if you have sufficient documentation of your new last name. This makes the process more straightforward and saves you additional government fees.

However, if you want to change your name after receiving your green card, it’s more difficult. It’s best to go through the formal legal name change process before applying for citizenship or naturalization. If you do this, the government will not make a mistake on your immigration records.

Check Your Case Status

If you have a green card that was issued with conditions attached (typically because you got your green card through marriage to a U.S citizen or a permanent resident), your conditional green card will have a class of admission code that begins with IR.

Generally, your status as a conditional permanent resident expires after two years. When it does, you can file to remove the conditions on your residency. It can be difficult to prove that your marriage was real when you apply to remove the conditions, so it is important that you prepare to provide concrete evidence — such as joint financial records, proof that you lived with your previous spouse, and documentation of attempts to reconcile (such as invoices from marriage counseling sessions).

If USCIS suspects fraud, they may deny your request to remove the conditions. To avoid this, you should not divorce before your petition to remove the conditions is approved.