After doing well on your immigration interview, you may be feeling great. You will receive a note that says you have approval for permanent residency and should receive your green card shortly after.
What happens if you do not receive the green card? A green card can become lost in the mail, explains ThoughtCo.
Were you approved?
There is never any harm in double-checking. You should receive an approval letter or email. If you cannot find the letter or the email, you may want to make an Infopass appointment at your local office. Make sure that you check to ensure approval before you apply to receive a replacement card.
Has it been 30 days?
When waiting for your green card, it is normal to feel impatient. Naturally, you want to receive it as soon as possible. Do not expect to receive it right away. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services advises that you wait at least 30 days. If the post office cannot deliver your green card, they will usually send it back. You want to give the postal service enough time to return the green card and for the USCIS to receive it.
If you waited 30 days, go to your local post office. Ask if there is any undeliverable mail under your name. If the USCIS received the returned card, then you will have to file for a replacement card but you do not have to pay any filing fees. However, if you can confirm that the USCIS sent the card to the correct address but they never received it back, you pay a fee.