Applying for a green card can be accomplished while you are in the United States or outside the United States. When you are present in the United States the process is called adjustment of status using form I-485. If you are outside the United States, or perhaps ineligible to adjust status this is referred to as Consular processing. Entering the U.S. can be accomplished with an immigrant or non-immigrant visa. For temporary visits with no intentions of remaining in the U.S. would be a non-immigrant visa, such as for tourist, study or work. For permanent residence in the U.S. the immigrant visa would apply.
Getting a green card through the application process varies with different options available to apply. You can obtain one through marriage. The form I-130 the Petition for Alien Relative can be filed by a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (green card holder) to establish the relationship for alien relatives who wish to come to the United States.
If your spouse is present in the U.S. and you are a U.S. Citizen, you can file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status in conjunction with filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. Adjustment of Status (form I-485) requires proof that there was valid entry into the U.S. legally. You will need to provide a copy of your arrival/departure record (I-94), which should have been placed in your passport at your port of entry when admitted into the U.S.
Before 90 days of your second wedding anniversary both the U.S. Citizen and spouse will have to file joint application form I-751 to remove conditions. This is due to the fact when you received your green card it was issued as "conditional". After the I-751 application process is complete and approved, the conditions will be removed and the foreign national spouse will become a permanent resident (green card holder) without conditions.
The Diversity Visa Lottery program, which is held every year, is another option to obtain a green card. Each year approximately 55,000 applicants are randomly selected who have met certain eligibility requirements.
Getting a green card through employment is another option. A qualified U.S. employer would be required to sponsor you. If you were granted Refugee Status or Asylum you can apply for a green card. With the many options available to apply for a green card each process and procedure does vary.
Form I-90:
Generally a U.S. lawful permanent resident card (green card) is valid for ten years. When the green card expires you will need to file with form I-90 Application for green card replacement with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).   If your green card has already expired you should renew it immediately. You would use form I-90 as well for renewing an expired green card. If you need to change biographic information on you card, such as name change due to marriage, if you have lost your green card or it was stolen the form I-90 would be used as well for replacement.
If you do not renew your green card you will not lose your permanent resident status, however per U.S. Immigration Law, you need to provide evidence of your status (a valid, unexpired green card or temporary passport stamp). Difficulties may arise if you do not renew your green card regarding obtaining employment, benefits and re-entry into the United States from abroad travel. It is recommended to apply to renew your green card before travel and have it in your procession on any trip or any temporary documents you may have received which indicates you are in the green card renewal process. Traveling on expired green card could result in problems with re-entry to the U.S. and you may experience a delay at the port of entry during the inspection process of being admitted back to the United States.
Getting a green card through the application process varies with different options available to apply. You can obtain one through marriage. The form I-130 the Petition for Alien Relative can be filed by a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (green card holder) to establish the relationship for alien relatives who wish to come to the United States.
If your spouse is present in the U.S. and you are a U.S. Citizen, you can file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status in conjunction with filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. Adjustment of Status (form I-485) requires proof that there was valid entry into the U.S. legally. You will need to provide a copy of your arrival/departure record (I-94), which should have been placed in your passport at your port of entry when admitted into the U.S.
Before 90 days of your second wedding anniversary both the U.S. Citizen and spouse will have to file joint application form I-751 to remove conditions. This is due to the fact when you received your green card it was issued as "conditional". After the I-751 application process is complete and approved, the conditions will be removed and the foreign national spouse will become a permanent resident (green card holder) without conditions.
The Diversity Visa Lottery program, which is held every year, is another option to obtain a green card. Each year approximately 55,000 applicants are randomly selected who have met certain eligibility requirements.
Getting a green card through employment is another option. A qualified U.S. employer would be required to sponsor you. If you were granted Refugee Status or Asylum you can apply for a green card. With the many options available to apply for a green card each process and procedure does vary.
Form I-90:
Generally a U.S. lawful permanent resident card (green card) is valid for ten years. When the green card expires you will need to file with form I-90 Application for green card replacement with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).   If your green card has already expired you should renew it immediately. You would use form I-90 as well for renewing an expired green card. If you need to change biographic information on you card, such as name change due to marriage, if you have lost your green card or it was stolen the form I-90 would be used as well for replacement.
If you do not renew your green card you will not lose your permanent resident status, however per U.S. Immigration Law, you need to provide evidence of your status (a valid, unexpired green card or temporary passport stamp). Difficulties may arise if you do not renew your green card regarding obtaining employment, benefits and re-entry into the United States from abroad travel. It is recommended to apply to renew your green card before travel and have it in your procession on any trip or any temporary documents you may have received which indicates you are in the green card renewal process. Traveling on expired green card could result in problems with re-entry to the U.S. and you may experience a delay at the port of entry during the inspection process of being admitted back to the United States.