Unlocking Opportunities: Life as a U.S. Green Card Holder

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A green card is a status guaranteeing lawful permanent residence for everyone who holds it. Unlike a visa, which only promises admittance for a temporary period of time, one may only have to renew their green card after 10 years of living in the US. With a green card being a necessary prerequisite to obtaining citizenship in the United States, many may choose this route to ensure a new, bright future for themselves and their families.

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That said, applying for green card status can be a long ordeal. Most begin this journey with many questions and unknowns. Commonly asked questions may surround the advantages of a green card, how to maintain green card status, and life after green card. At Consulta Immigration, we are here to provide some answers to these questions and guide you through the process.

Benefits of Having a Green Card

The benefits of a green card are wide-ranging, allowing for more working and living opportunities. With permanent residence, you are guaranteed safety on behalf of the U.S. government, and you have the ability to pursue a stable future. Ultimately, a green card guarantees your freedom in a nation without needing citizenship – but holding a green card can be a path toward naturalization. 

#1: Live and Work Freely

The United States boasts one of the strongest economies in the world and is an extremely attractive place to work and build a life. Many pursue work visas to gain entry, but these visa permits are often only valid for a few months to a few years. Furthermore, they may require frequent renewals and may be revoked at any time. 

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Visa holders also face much more scrutiny than green card holders when it comes to entry and exit from the country, and are often beholden to the terms they entered the country on. They face more job restrictions and must provide evidence that they are complying with the terms on which they entered such as providing workplace or academic records.

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For those intent on long-term residence in the United States, applying for a green card is the only way to guarantee freedom in their living and working situation. Benefits of a green card holder include long-term stability without fear of deportation and the ability to move freely within the country. 

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Further, you might find that employers are more willing to hire those who have guaranteed residency for many years in the future – such as green card holders. Additionally, permanent residents have the freedom to move between jobs, a liberty that visa holders do not have. 

#2: Travel Flexibility

Green card advantages extend beyond what you can do within a nation’s borders and reach outside of those borders as well. Permanent residents may travel outside the U.S. without fear of their residency being revoked. In contrast, some people with visas may not be allowed to leave while their visa is valid or must file re-entry forms. Green card holders may even visit some nations without visas, a privilege usually only granted to full citizens.

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While this freedom of movement is generally unregulated, remaining abroad for over a year may be grounds for the federal government to reconsider your green card. As further explained below, extended time outside the United States may indicate to federal officials that you wish to abandon your permanent residency. But even with this exception… The freedom of movement allowed by a green card is simply unparalleled.

#3: Path to Citizenship

So after a green card, what comes next? Well, the benefits of a green card extend far into the future, as a green card is a highly recommended path to citizenship. Naturalization, or the process of earning U.S. citizenship without being born in the country, requires that the applicant has been a lawful permanent resident for five years (in most cases). 

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As a U.S. citizen, you will have the right to vote, hold public office, and to claim a U.S. passport. Additionally, U.S. citizens have the ability to sponsor family members for green cards, so your family may also earn permanent residency in the United States. Although maintaining a green card for citizenship requires compliance with some regulations (explained below), it is a necessary and rewarding first step for anyone wanting the full rights that citizenship grants.

#4: Access to Government Benefits

Benefits for green card holders include many of the same privileges U.S. citizens enjoy. Not only can you live, work, and travel freely, like we discussed earlier – you can also enjoy benefits that extend to access to federal programs like Social Security and Medicare. 

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These programs help millions of Americans every year. Social Security provides income for disabled and retired individuals, allowing people without jobs to live fulfilling lives. Those who receive Social Security may also be eligible for Medicare, a government program meant to ensure affordable health coverage for those with limited income.

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Green card benefits also promise in-state tuition at public universities in compliance with state regulations. Green card holders may enroll at American universities for a fraction of the cost that an international student might pay to enroll at the same universities.

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Additionally, green card holders are eligible for federal financial aid, a program that makes higher education affordable for millions of students in America. Green cards make it possible for immigrants to invest in their education and their future.

#5: Education and Training

Not only do green cards promise cheaper tuition, they also promise more opportunities in education and occupational training. The stability of green cards means that green card holders can make long-term educational plans without fear of deportation. Green card holders’ children may attend public schools and even enroll in higher education. These educational benefits open up new job opportunities both within and outside the United States.

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Occupational training also becomes much more accessible when you hold a green card. Green card holders may enroll in various programs they may not have been able to access otherwise. 

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These programs are meant to shape and promote new skills in the workplace. The degrees and certificates these programs offer can be stepping stones to a new job or promotion. Think about it like this… The educational and job opportunities earned with a green card allows millions of people to achieve their dreams. 

Responsibilities of Green Card Holders

While holding a U.S. green card offers numerous benefits, there are also many duties associated with these cards. Your requirements to maintain a green card include many of the responsibilities expected of a U.S. citizen and some unique responsibilities as well. Below are some things to do after getting a green card, which are expected of all permanent residents.

#1: Obey Laws

In the United States, everyone – regardless of immigrant status – is required to obey all laws and local regulations. Disobeying these laws may put your green card status at risk, as well as any future U.S. citizenship application. Green card holders, although guaranteed permanent residency, are more at risk for deportation than citizens. Some examples of deportable crimes are aggravated felonies, drug crimes, or the illegal possession of firearms. To avoid putting your residency at risk, make sure to stay informed on both local and federal laws. 

#2: Pay Taxes

Since green card holders benefit from federal programs, they are also responsible for funding them through taxes. All permanent residents must file U.S. income tax documents – even if they did not earn income in the United States. Citizens and green card holders are taxed according to the same tax brackets. Not paying taxes can be grounds for deportation, as government authorities may see it as abandoning citizenship. 

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Although paying U.S. taxes is not a responsibility for people without citizenship or a green card, it is also important to remember that nonresidents do not benefit from federal programs or many of the other perks that permanent residency grants. While paying taxes is one of the many requirements for maintaining a green card, it comes with many long-term rewards as well. 

#3: Maintain Continuous Residence

Permanent residency allows for many freedoms, yet there are green card restrictions as well. One of the most visible restrictions is the fact that green card holders must spend a certain amount of time physically present in the U.S. to maintain their green card and to apply as a citizen if they choose to. 

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To be considered for naturalization, the process of earning a citizenship, most people must continuously reside in the United States for five consecutive years. During this time green card holders can not leave the country for more than 6 months without reason – or you may risk losing the possibility of naturalization or having your green card taken away. 

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Why is continuous residence important? It shows that you have established ties to the United States and are ready to be a dedicated U.S. citizen. Any absence over a year automatically terminates permanent residency status – unless a special exception has been given.

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There are some exceptions to the five-year continuous residence rule, however. Spouses to a U.S. citizen with a green card may only have to maintain continuous residence in the United States for three years before pursuing citizenship. However, just like most other green card holders, they must not leave the country for over a year or risk having their residency revoked.

#4: Register for the Selective Service 

Just like U.S. citizens, male green card holders between 18 and 25 must register with the Selective Service System. There are some exceptions for those with certain medical conditions or disabilities that may prevent them from serving, although this is assessed on a case-by-case basis. 

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Although failure to register with the Selective Service may not result in deportation there are still consequences for those who do not do so. Not registering may prevent someone from ultimately naturalizing in the U.S. and becoming a citizen and may make someone ineligible for benefits that come with a green card – like financial aid for college and employment opportunities.

Maintaining Green Card Status

Can you lose permanent residency? In short, yes – but this is easy to avoid. One of the most asked questions by U.S. immigrants beginning this process is how to keep green card. While there are some responsibilities associated with having a green card, keeping a green card is not difficult. However, there are a few rules listed below you must comply with to maintain a green card… 

#1: Avoid Extended Stays Outside the U.S.

As previously mentioned, any unexplained stay over a year outside the U.S. will result in the automatic deportation, as it is evidence that you no longer intend to permanently reside in the United States. Long stays outside the U.S. may require a re-entry permit, which requires you to file some forms and obtain permission before you leave the country. If you plan to pursue naturalization, it is best to avoid long stays outside the country.

#2: Renewal Process

One commonly asked question when it comes to permanent residency is, “Can I stay on green card forever?” The answer is yes, green cards are truly permanent and only require renewal every 10 years. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, will notify green card holders when it is time to renew, and any renewed green card will be valid for 10 years.

#3: Reporting Changes

Any change of home address must be reported to the USCIS within 10 days of moving, a requirement of all non-citizens living in the United States. It is extremely important to comply with this, as failure to do so is seen as a violation of immigration law and may result in fines, prison time, or deportation.

Get the Support You Need Living With a Green Card

Green cards, as a middle-ground between citizenship and temporary residency, are an incredible way for many to achieve their dreams. Benefits of a U.S. green card include living and working freely, pursuing new educational and job opportunities, and offering a path to U.S. citizenship. However, a green card also comes with new obligations, such as paying taxes and maintaining continuous residency. Failure to comply with these obligations can lead to losing your green card and (in extreme scenarios) deportation.

Applying for a green card and following the new responsibilities it comes with can seem difficult at the beginning, leaving you with many questions. However, there is support available. Consulta Immigration offers an easy-to-use platform with many experts in the field ready to answer any question you have and help you through the application process. The bright future a green card offers is worth the journey. To begin, contact us at Consulta Immigration today!