{"id":6,"date":"2010-03-28T14:14:26","date_gmt":"2010-03-28T14:14:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/?p=6"},"modified":"2025-05-21T08:03:30","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T07:03:30","slug":"what-is-a-green-card","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/what-is-a-green-card","title":{"rendered":"What is a Green Card?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"257\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.usgreencardoffice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/US-Green-Card.jpg\" alt=\"What is a Green Card\" class=\"wp-image-797\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/US-Green-Card.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/US-Green-Card-300x193.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Table of Contents<\/h2><nav><div><div><a href=\"#what-is-a-green-card\">What is a Green Card?<\/a><\/div><div><a href=\"#how-to-get-a-green-card\">How to Get a Green Card<\/a><\/div><div><a href=\"#what-is-a-green-card-benefits\">What is a Green Card: Benefits<\/a><\/div><div><a href=\"#what-is-a-green-card-path-to-citizenship\">What is a Green Card: Path to Citizenship<\/a><div><div><a href=\"#final-thoughts-on-what-is-a-green-card\">Final Thoughts on What is a Green Card?<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019ve ever looked into US immigration, you might have asked yourself, what is a Green Card? It\u2019s a term thrown around a lot in relation to living in the US, so it\u2019s worth understanding what it is and what it gets you as an immigrant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Luckily, you\u2019ll find all that and more in this article. We\u2019ll answer the question, what is a Green Card, and discuss how you can get one.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-a-green-card\">What is a Green Card?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A United States Permanent Resident Card (USCIS Form I-551), formerly Alien Registration Card or Alien Registration Receipt Card (INS Form I-151), is an identification card attesting to the permanent resident status of an alien in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is known informally as a Green Card because it was green from 1946 until 1964, and it reverted to that color on May 11, 2010. While this isn\u2019t its official name, it\u2019s commonly used by everyone from immigrants to the US State Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Holding a Green Card means you\u2019re a lawful permanent resident (LPR). As the name suggests, this means you can live permanently in the US and enjoy all the benefits this brings. It\u2019s not the same as full citizenship, but we\u2019ll discuss that in more detail below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Green Cards were formerly issued by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Pub. L. No. 107\u2013296, 116 Stat. 2135) dismantled INS and separated the former agency into three components within the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dhs.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Department of Homeland Security<\/a> (DHS).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uscis.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">United States Citizenship and Immigration Services<\/a> (USCIS) handles applications for immigration benefits. Two other agencies were created to oversee the INS\u2019s former functions of immigration enforcement: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-get-a-green-card\">How to Get a Green Card<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We won\u2019t go into too much detail on how to get a Green Card, as we have plenty of other information on our website about this. Generally, there are 3 main routes to becoming an LPR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/employment-based-green-card\">through employment<\/a>. In short, you apply for a job in America, and your employer sponsors you for your Green Card. This only really works for specialist jobs that can\u2019t be filled by American citizens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The second is through family contacts, who can either be LPRs or American citizens. You must be fairly closely related for them to sponsor you. Alternatively, people marrying American citizens can apply for a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/green-card-through-marriage\">Green Card via marriage<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, there\u2019s the Green Card Lottery. This option means you don\u2019t need any existing connections in the country, and you have quite a bit more freedom when you get to America. The main application criteria is that you\u2019re from a country with historically low rates of immigration to the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-a-green-card-benefits\">What is a Green Card: Benefits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most important thing a Green Card offers LPRs is the right to work in the US. You can get temporary work permits, but a Green Card means you can theoretically take any job rather than just seasonal or temporary work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In some cases, you might be tied to a particular job, as this might be the reason you were granted a Green Card. However, in other situations, you can apply for and work any job in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Green Card also lets you travel in and out of the country without having to apply for visas every time. You can even leave the country for nearly 12 months. Specifically, you must return within 12 months of your departure date. Compared to a temporary visa, this is quite a big benefit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can also receive state and education assistance. For example, Green Card holders can receive resident tuition rates at certain colleges and universities, which can be much cheaper than the rates paid by temporary immigrants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While a Green Card doesn\u2019t completely protect you from deportation, it does make it much harder. You won\u2019t be removed from America due to changes in the law, and your residency doesn\u2019t expire. However, you can be deported if you commit a serious crime, so just make sure you don\u2019t do that!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, you can be part of the American political process. However, you can\u2019t vote yet, but you can volunteer for political campaigns and donate to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Permanent residents of the United States who are eighteen years of age or older must carry their Green Card at all times. Failing to do so is a violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act, carrying the possibility of a fine of up to $100.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/apply\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"728\" height=\"90\" src=\"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/acf3c043.gif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4094\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-a-green-card-path-to-citizenship\">What is a Green Card: Path to Citizenship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As mentioned, a Green Card doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re a full American citizen. However, it\u2019s the first step on the journey for foreign nationals. Although your LPR status never expires, you must renew your Green Card every 10 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But in that time, you can begin the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/united-states-citizenship\">citizenship<\/a> application process. In fact, you can apply after 3 or 5 years, depending on how you became an LPR. The citizenship process can be quite long, but it does offer numerous benefits. The most important, perhaps, is the right to vote in elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"final-thoughts-on-what-is-a-green-card\">Final Thoughts on What is a Green Card?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hopefully, this should answer the question, what is a Green Card? Obtaining one is easiest through the Green Card Lottery, which you can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/apply\">apply for now.<\/a> Make sure you contact us for any help you might need when filling out your application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">US Green Card Office is full service one-stop immigration office. We provide support 24\/7 365 days a year, and our trained staff can assist you in 20 different languages. Just contact us on our live chat system or call us directly on +1 866 569 50 10<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:34px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/apply\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"245\" height=\"59\" src=\"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/apply-now.gif\" alt=\"Apply for a green card today\" class=\"wp-image-3087\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019ve ever looked into US immigration, you might have asked yourself, what is a Green Card? It\u2019s a term thrown around a lot in relation to living in the US, so it\u2019s worth understanding what it is and what it gets you as an immigrant. Luckily, you\u2019ll find all that and more in this [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":797,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-about-the-usa-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5304,"href":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6\/revisions\/5304"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/797"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usgreencardoffice.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}