You may have heard that you’ll need a green card if you want to live legally in the United States. However, do you know what a green card is?
A permanent resident card, which is also commonly referred to as a green card, is a government-issued photo ID that identifies you as a legal resident of the U.S. As a green card holder, you must carry this card with you at all times to verify your legal permanent residency status.
As of 2019, there were an estimated 13.9 million green card holders in the U.S. A green card grants several benefits to United States immigrants. It allows immigrants to the U.S. to live and work here. Foreign nationals must apply and undergo screening to be granted a green card.
What Is the Purpose of Having a Green Card?
A green card identifies someone as a legal resident of the United States. It signifies that the government has vetted you and determined that you are eligible for benefits, such as:
- The right to live in the U.S. indefinitely
- The ability to work in the U.S.
- Protection under state and federal law
As you can see, a green card is much more than just a document – it’s a gateway to a new life in the United States. It offers security, opportunity, and a sense of belonging. While it doesn’t grant all the rights of citizenship, such as voting in federal elections, it provides a stable foundation for building a future in America.
Who Is Eligible for a Green Card?
Family members of lawful permanent residents may be eligible for a green card. This may include:
- The spouse of a permanent resident
- The spouse of a U.S. citizen
- A permanent resident’s unmarried child
You may also be sponsored for a green card through your employer. You may qualify for a green card if you have advanced degree or an extraordinary ability in:
- Science
- Art
- Education
- Business
- Athletics
How Do I Get a Green Card?
There are multiple paths to obtaining a green card. Your path to a green card may depend on where you reside.
If You Live Abroad
If you live outside of the United States, you must determine your eligibility and file an immigration petition. The National Visa Center (NVC) will collect and process your visa application. After receiving your visa, pay an immigration fee to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
After you arrive in the United States, give your visa packet to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer. If your immigration fee has been processed, the CBP officer will review your case to determine if you can be admitted to the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident.
If You Live Stateside
If an immigrant visa is available and you have an approved immigration petition, file Form I-485, Adjustment of Status with USCIS.
However, if you do not have an approved immigration petition, check the eligibility criteria for your green card category. If you are applying for a green card through marriage, you may be able to file your petition and Form I‑485 concurrently. You will be given next steps after your application is reviewed, including biometrics and a green card interview.
What Is the Difference Between a Green Card and a Visa?
It’s easy to see why there is so much confusion about the difference between green cards and visas, since these documents are similar. However, they have important differences, the main difference between a green card and a visa being when they are issued: A visa is obtained before traveling to the United States. A green card is typically issued after arriving in the United States. A visa must also be obtained before an immigrant can apply for a green card.
What Is the Difference Between a Green Card and Citizenship?
A permanent resident is not the same as a U.S. citizen. Green card holders have limited benefits. For example, you’ll need to renew a green card, but your citizenship will never need to be renewed.
Another significant difference between green cards and citizenship is that green card holders can live and work in the United States, but only U.S. citizenship grants you the right to vote in U.S. elections. Also, only a U.S. citizen can sponsor a spouse in the United States for a marriage green card. A green card holder can only sponsor a spouse for a marriage green card if their spouse lives abroad.
For many, a green card is a step towards obtaining U.S. citizenship. Because some countries do not allow dual citizenship, some immigrants choose to remain permanent residents.
Does a Green Card Expire?
Yes, your green card will expire. You must renew your green card every 10 years. If you have a green card through marriage, you may be issued a two-year green card. If that’s the case, you must have the conditions removed to convert your status to permanent status.
What Are the Responsibilities of U.S. Green Card Holders?
As a green card holder, you’ll take on a set of new responsibilities that come with your status as a legal permanent resident of the United States. These obligations are designed to ensure that you maintain your legal status and contribute to society in a positive way.
Obey All Federal, State, And Local Laws
First and foremost, as a green card holder, you must obey all federal, state, and local laws. This means following the rules and regulations that apply to all residents, regardless of their immigration status. Any criminal activity or violation of the law can jeopardize your green card and lead to deportation proceedings. So you’ll want to be especially careful of understanding what the laws are and making sure you stay in compliance with them.
File Income Tax Returns
Another important responsibility of green card holders is filing income tax returns. Just like U.S. citizens, green card holders are required to report their worldwide income to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) every year. This includes any income you earned both inside and outside the United States. Failure to file your tax returns or pay the taxes you owe can result in serious consequences, including the loss of your green card.
Register With the Selective Service
If you are a male between the ages of 18 and 25 and you hold a green card, you must register with the Selective Service. This is the system that maintains information on potential military recruits in case of a national emergency requiring a draft. While there hasn’t been a draft since 1973, registration is still mandatory for all eligible males, including green card holders. So it’s important to register as soon as possible if you’re in this age group and you haven’t already.
Maintain a U.S. Residence
It’s also crucial that you maintain your U.S. residence and not abandon your green card. This means spending the majority of your time in the United States and not staying abroad for extended periods of time without first making sure you hold the proper documentation. If you need to travel outside the U.S. for an extended time, you may need to apply for a re-entry permit to avoid losing your permanent resident status.
Keep Your Green Card Up to Date
Lastly, if you hold a green card, it’s your responsibility to keep your green card and other important documents up-to-date. If you move, you must notify the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of your new address within 10 days. You’ll also need to renew your green card every 10 years to ensure that you maintain valid proof of your legal permanent resident status.
By fulfilling these responsibilities, you’ll be able to enjoy the many benefits that come with being a green card holder, such as the right to live and work permanently in the United States, the ability to sponsor certain family members to join you, and the opportunity to apply for U.S. citizenship after meeting certain eligibility requirements.
What Are the Benefits of Having a Green Card?
Having a green card, which grants you legal permanent resident status in the United States, comes with a wide range of benefits. Here are 10 major benefits of having a green card:
- Live and work anywhere in the U.S.: As a green card holder, you have the right to live and work anywhere in the United States without the need for additional visas or work permits.
- Path to citizenship: Green card holders who meet certain requirements can apply for U.S. citizenship after five years (or three years if married to a U.S. citizen).
- Family reunification: Green card holders can sponsor certain family members, such as spouses and unmarried children, to join them in the U.S. as permanent residents.
- Access to government benefits: Legal permanent residents are eligible for various government benefits, such as Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare (after paying into the system for a specified period).
- Education benefits: Green card holders can apply for federal student aid and may qualify for in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities.
- Travel flexibility: While green card holders must maintain their U.S. residence, they have the ability to travel abroad and re-enter the U.S. with fewer restrictions compared to non-immigrant visa holders.
- Legal protections: Permanent residents enjoy many of the same legal protections as U.S. citizens, such as due process rights and protection from deportation (except in cases of certain criminal convictions or immigration violations).
- Retirement benefits: Green card holders who have worked and paid into the Social Security system for at least 40 quarters (10 years) are eligible for Social Security retirement benefits.
- Property ownership: Legal permanent residents can own property in the U.S., including homes and businesses.
- Dual citizenship: Some countries allow their citizens to hold dual citizenship, meaning you may be able to maintain your original citizenship while also enjoying the benefits of U.S. permanent residency.
It’s important to note that green card holders also have certain responsibilities, such as obeying all federal, state, and local laws, filing income tax returns, and registering with the Selective Service (for males aged 18-25). Failure to meet these obligations can jeopardize your permanent resident status.
Is it Hard to Apply for a Green Card?
Applying for a green card can be a complex, time-consuming, and often challenging process. The difficulty of the application depends on various factors, such as the specific category under which you’re applying (e.g., family-based, employment-based, or diversity lottery), your individual circumstances, and the completeness and accuracy of your application package.
The process typically involves gathering extensive documentation, filling out detailed forms, and navigating a complex legal system. Some applicants may face additional hurdles, such as long wait times due to annual quotas or the need to attend interviews or provide biometric data.
While some individuals may find the process more straightforward than others, it’s generally recommended to seek the assistance of an experienced immigration attorney to help guide you through the application process and ensure the best possible outcome.
What Is the Green Card Lottery?
The green card lottery, officially known as the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV Program), is a U.S. government program that allows individuals from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States to apply for a chance to obtain a U.S. permanent resident card (green card).
What you need to know about the green card lottery:
- Annual program: The lottery is held annually, with a limited number of diversity visas available.
- Eligibility: To be eligible, applicants must be from a country with historically low immigration rates to the U.S. and must meet certain education or work experience requirements.
- Application process: Applicants submit an online application during the designated registration period. There is no fee to apply.
- Random selection: Winners are selected randomly by computer, and they and their eligible family members can then apply for a green card.
- Limitations: Being selected in the lottery does not guarantee a green card, as winners must still meet all eligibility requirements and go through the standard green card application process.
- Scams: Beware of scams and fraudulent services related to the green card lottery. The only way to apply is through the official U.S. government website during the designated registration period.
The green card lottery aims to diversify the U.S. immigrant population by providing an opportunity for individuals from underrepresented countries to immigrate to the United States. However, it’s important to note that the program is highly competitive, with millions of applicants each year vying for a limited number of visas.
What Else Do Green Card Holders Need to Know?
Living and working in the United States as a green card holder comes with a wide range of benefits and privileges that closely mirror those enjoyed by U.S. citizens. However, it’s important to understand that permanent residents are not U.S. citizens, and as such, they do not have access to the full spectrum of rights and freedoms afforded to those with citizenship status.
While green card holders can take advantage of many opportunities within the country, there are certain limitations and restrictions that they must navigate.
Green card holders face a lower priority when it comes to sponsoring family members for their own green cards, meaning the process may be more lengthy and complex compared to the sponsorship rights of U.S. citizens. It’s also worth noting that green cards are non-transferable and do not automatically extend to children born outside the United States, which can create unique challenges for families.
Green card holders are also subject to certain restrictions that do not apply to U.S. citizens. For example, permanent residents cannot run for political office, and they are not issued U.S. passports. Green card holders who choose to leave the United States permanently after residing in the country for eight years or more may be subject to expatriation and exit taxes, similar to the rules that apply to U.S. citizens renouncing their citizenship.
How Many Green Card Applications Are Approved?
The number of green card applications approved each year varies based on factors such as immigration policy, processing times, and the number of applications received. However, here are some statistics to give you an idea of the scale of green card approvals in recent years:
In fiscal year 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) granted lawful permanent residence (green cards) to 738,199 individuals. This number includes both new arrivals to the United States and those who adjusted their status from within the country.
The majority of green cards are issued through family-based sponsorship, followed by employment-based categories and the diversity lottery. For example, in fiscal year 2021:
- 462,625 green cards were issued through family-based sponsorship
- 194,783 were granted through employment-based categories
- 17,394 were awarded through the diversity lottery program
- 63,397 were granted through other categories, such as refugee or asylee status, or other special programs
The remaining green cards were issued through various other categories, such as refugee or asylee status, or other special programs
It’s important to note that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on green card processing in fiscal years 2020 and 2021, leading to decreased numbers compared to previous years. In more typical years, the total number of green cards issued annually often exceeds 1 million.
Keep in mind that these numbers represent approved applications and do not reflect the total number of applications submitted, as some may be denied, delayed, or still pending.
How Can I Improve My Chances of Green Card Approval?
To improve your chances of green card approval, it’s crucial to ensure that your application is complete, accurate, and well-documented. This means providing all the required information, forms, and supporting evidence. It’s also essential to demonstrate your eligibility for the specific green card category you’re applying under and to be honest and forthcoming throughout the process.
Using a trusted service like FileRight to prepare and file your green card application can help you avoid costly, time-consuming mistakes to increase your chances of getting green card approval from USCIS. FileRight’s expertise and attention to detail can give you peace of mind and help streamline the application process.
