Maintaining your immigration status as a lawful permanent resident (LPR) comes down to a few core obligations: keep your Green Card current, stay within U.S. travel limits, file taxes as a U.S. resident, and avoid conduct that could trigger removal. Getting any of these wrong can put the status you worked hard to earn at risk.
Once USCIS grants you lawful permanent residence, your status doesn’t expire the way a visa does — but it can be lost through inaction or certain conduct. The distinction matters: a Green Card (the physical document) expires on a fixed date, while your underlying LPR status is ongoing unless you abandon it or it’s terminated through removal proceedings.
Understanding that distinction is the first thing most people get confused about. An expired card does not mean you’ve lost your status — it means you need to renew your documentation. But if a CBP officer believes you’ve abandoned your intent to live permanently in the United States, that’s a separate and more serious problem.
Per the USCIS Maintaining Permanent Residence page, status can be terminated through removal orders, intentional abandonment, or rescission proceedings during your first five years as an LPR. Knowing which category your situation falls into shapes what steps you need to take.
Travel is where many LPRs inadvertently create problems. The general guide: absences of more than one year raise abandonment concerns. But shorter absences can also be questioned if an officer determines you didn’t intend to make the United States your permanent home.
USCIS guidance on international travel as a permanent resident outlines the factors officers consider: whether you maintained U.S. employment, filed taxes as a resident, kept a U.S. mailing address and bank account, and whether your family and community ties remained in the United States.
If you plan to be abroad for more than a year, apply for a reentry permit (Form I-131) before you leave — you must be physically present in the U.S. when you file. For absences of six months or more, your continuous residency clock for naturalization can also be disrupted, which affects your eligibility timeline to become a citizen. Nevada residents with complicated travel histories should consult an immigration attorney in Las Vegas before planning any extended trip abroad.
Most Green Cards carry a 10-year validity period. LPRs 18 and older are required to carry a valid card at all times. Filing Form I-90 with USCIS is how you renew or replace your card. As of September 2024, USCIS automatically extends your card’s validity by 36 months once Form I-90 is filed — so your proof of status stays current while you wait for the new card to arrive.
Don’t wait until your card has already expired. File Form I-90 within six months of your expiration date. If you’re a conditional permanent resident — meaning you received a two-year Green Card based on marriage or investment — the process is different. You’ll file Form I-751 or Form I-829 to remove conditions on your status, not I-90.
Meesha Moulton Law has guided Las Vegas, Henderson, and Clark County residents through immigration matters since 2022. As an attorney who immigrated to the U.S. herself, Meesha understands what’s at stake when your status is on the line — you can read more about her background on the firm’s about page.
Several actions — some obvious, some not — can trigger loss of status or removal proceedings:
The criminal issue catches many LPRs off guard. An arrest or plea that seems minor under Nevada state law can carry life-changing immigration consequences. If you’re facing any criminal matter — including a DUI, drug charge, or domestic dispute — consult with the immigration law team at Meesha Moulton Law before making any decisions about how to resolve it.
It’s also worth knowing that Nevada’s legal protections extend to LPRs in all kinds of situations. Immigrants injured on the job can access workers’ compensation benefits regardless of immigration status — an employer cannot use your immigration status to deny a legitimate workplace injury claim.
For most LPRs, naturalization becomes available after five continuous years of lawful permanent residence. Those married to a U.S. citizen may be eligible after three years. To qualify, you’ll need to meet continuous residence and physical presence requirements — which is why extended absences affect not just your current status but your naturalization timeline.
The USCIS page on post-grant obligations covers what to expect after your Green Card is issued: updating your address after every move, registering for Selective Service if applicable, and understanding your right to work in the United States.
| Obligation | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Green Card expiring | File Form I-90 at least 6 months before expiration |
| Planning to travel abroad 1+ year | File Form I-131 (Reentry Permit) before departure |
| Conditional Green Card (2-year) | File Form I-751 or I-829 to remove conditions |
| Address change | Update USCIS via Form AR-11 or your online account |
| Criminal charge | Consult an immigration attorney before resolving |
Meesha Moulton Law serves Nevada residents across the full range of immigration matters, from Green Card maintenance and renewals to deportation defense and naturalization. If your card is expiring, your travel history is complicated, or you’ve had a legal issue that may affect your status, don’t wait to get clarity.Contact us to talk through your situation with an attorney who understands Nevada’s immigrant community firsthand.
