What are the Benefits of a U.S. Green Card?

Key takeaways Green card holders can enjoy almost the same benefits as  U.S. citizens, including a path toward citizenship, the ability to sponsor certain family members for a green card, legal protections, and even travel, work, and studying rights.   Being a green card holder also means you hold certain responsibilities like paying taxes, carrying your green card on you at all times, and registering for selective service.   However, having a green card still has its limitations unlike being a U.S. citizen. For example, a green card holder can’t vote, run for any political position, be issued a U.S. passport, or serve in jury duty.

  One of the most important steps in the United States immigration process is obtaining a green card. A green card is a document that allows you to live and work in the United States as a lawful permanent resident. Owning a green card gives you certain benefits and responsibilities that people temporarily visiting the United States do not have.   This guide will dive deep into the benefits and responsibilities of owning a green card.  

Benefits

Applying for U.S. citizenship

Having lawful permanent residency status in the United States gives you a path to citizenship through naturalization after a certain amount of time. The time you wait to apply for citizenship is dependent on how you obtained your green card in the first place. For example, if you married a U.S. citizen, you can apply for citizenship after 3 years of owning a green card. If you obtained a green card any other way, you must typically wait 5 years to apply for citizenship.    

Protection from deportation

Green card holders can’t be deported to their country of origin because they maintain their status as lawful permanent residents. Unlike a visa, a green card is not a temporary document and cannot be revoked due to changes to U.S. immigration laws. However, a green card holder can lose their residency and be deported if they commit a crime or violate a United States law.    

Sponsoring certain family members for a green card

As a green card holder, you may also sponsor certain family members to obtain their green cards. These family members include spouses and unmarried children. These family members are given priority but not as high a priority as family members of U.S. citizens.     

Legal protections

Once you become a permanent resident of the United States, you receive full legal rights and protections provided by all federal, state, and local laws and jurisdictions. The same protections and rights apply to you as any U.S. citizen.    

Travel rights

Green card holders can travel more easily than visa holders. As a permanent resident, you can travel freely within the United States without needing to check in with any government agencies. You can also travel abroad and re-enter the United States as long as you return within 12 months.     

Study and work rights

As a green card holder, you can study or work anywhere in the United States. You also have more employment opportunities than people on a work visa. For example, you can apply for government roles or work within places that require a security clearance.     

Federal benefits

Green card holders and their children may apply for certain government-sponsored benefits like financial aid for education and in-state tuition at colleges and universities. Some green card holders may even be eligible for social security benefits after being permanent residents for a certain period.    

Making financial contributions to U.S. elections

Green card holders can make contributions to any political candidate or campaign of their choice. They can also protest, volunteer, or engage in activism around issues and causes that they care about.    

Responsibilities

As a green card holder, you hold certain responsibilities as a lawful permanent resident of the United States. These responsibilities include:

1. Green card holders must obey all federal, state, and local laws of the United States.
2. Green card holders must carry a valid green card on them at all times.
3. Green card holders must renew their green card every 10 years.
4. Green card holders must file income tax returns and report income to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and state taxing authorities.
5. Male Green card holders between the ages of 18 and 25 must register for selective service within the United States.
6. Green card holders may not engage in any attempts at changing the democratic form of government through any illegal means.

 

Green card limitations

While green card holders are considered permanent residents and receive most of the same benefits as United States citizens, there are limitations like:

1. Green cards are not transferable and are not automatically extended to children born outside of the U.S.
2. Green card holders do not have the right to vote;
3. Green card holders cannot run for political office.;
4. Green card holders are not issued a U.S. passport;
5. Green card holders are not given the same priority as U.S. citizens when sponsoring family members for permanent residency;
6. Green card holders who leave the U.S. permanently are subject to pay exit taxes like any U.S. citizen;
7. Green card holders who leave the U.S. for more than 8 years must pay expatriation taxes;
8. Green card holders cannot serve on jury duty.

At Citizenwide, we believe that simple immigration cases shouldn’t cost you thousands in legal fees. Save money on immigration.