My Green Card Expried but want to apply for Citizenship, please help!!!

[SKANLEZ]

Turns out that my Green Card expired in 05/2012 and I have read in several that I needed to apply 90 days before expiration. I assume that my Green Card is a conditional one due to the fact that it has a 2 year expiration.

I have been married for almost 4 years to my wife which is a US citizen. This all started when doing research on what I needed to qualify to travel outside the US. I'm afraid that with an expired Green Card that I cannot travel outside the US.

Since I have been married for over 3 years, can I just apply for citizenship even though my Green Card is expired? I am still married to the same person that petitioned me. Online research has been overwhelming and need help with the right information.

I noticed the i-751 form is used to file to remove the conditional status on a Green Card but also saw that the form i-550 is used to file for Citizenship. If I am still married (married for over 3 years) to the same person, can't I just file the i-550 for Citizenship?

Thank you for all your help everyone!

[SKANLEZ]

Anyone? Please, need advice.

[nwctzn]

Did you apply for removal of conditions? As far as I know by now you should have first removed conditions and have a green card that has 10 years validity and not only 2 years.

Removal of condition and citizenship application cannot be combined as far as I know. I would hurry up and research on the removal of conditions so that your legal status is not jeopardized.

[kabkaba]

Expiry of card does not mean expiry of your permanent residence status. You can certainly apply for a new GC and remove conditions. IMO you will also be able to apply for Citizenship directly, but consult an experienced attorney for this.

[nwctzn]

Expiry of card does not mean expiry of your permanent residence status. You can certainly apply for a new GC and remove conditions. IMO you will also be able to apply for Citizenship directly, but consult an experienced attorney for this.

You are right about expired cards but that is for 10 year cards. For marriage-based cards which have 2 year validity, the conditions need to be removed. It is called a conditional card and is not a regular permanent resident card.