can you apply with an expired green card?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1

<p><em>sigh</em> the things that should have been rectified much earlier, but my (single-parent) mother had no time to renew the paperwork due to her working schedule, and I don't think we could have afforded the new fees anyway. I have a copy of the card that reads an expiry of 12/09/07 -- how much of a problem is this? </p>

<p>On the other hand, it's nice to know that I have been an illegal immigrant since the 9th of December. Or I hope not. </p>

<p>If somehow a miracle happens and I receive a new green card in January (or even February) after the renewal application, would this be resolved?</p>

2

<p>My friend happens to be an immigration lawyer. Your status as a PR never expires, though the card needs renewed. In fact, if you do not plan a trip outside the country, you do not need to renew your card.</p>

3

<p>MIT requires that I send a copy of my green card to them -- would they happen to know this fact and not care that the photocopy shows a past date of expiry?</p>

4

<p>When they changed the rules in 1990, was it just to make sure that other people couldn't steal it and use it for fraud/identity theft (e.g. by using childhood pictures that look nothing like the thief using it, but managing to have it pass by staff anyway?)</p>

<p>So it's not that I constantly need constant bureaucratic reaffirmation of my loyalty and ties to the nation, it's just to prevent impersonation?</p>

<p>Thus, if colleges don't doubt my name listed on the card (e.g it matches the high school transcript and the application), then colleges shouldn't reject me (or evaluate me as an international applicant) simply because of my expired card? How do I tell colleges this?</p>

5

<p>I think you should be able to apply now, send the copy of the expired card, and state that you are in the process of renewing.</p>

6

<p>I can't apply now -- we can't afford the 900 dollars. </p>

<p>The waiver form requires that we collect bank forms, receipts and countless other documentations -- which when coupled with sending me and my sister everywhere, my working mother has little time to do, though she is trying and we might have a better time come the holidays.</p>

<p>I will probably say I am renewing nevertheless -- it eventually must get done -- probably within this month, I hope, but right now I am banking on the idea that "the card expires, not the PR status".</p>