Receiving a green card is an important milestone for a U.S. immigrant. It means that you’re now a lawful permanent resident (LPR), and you’ll enjoy the same rights as U.S. citizens. While being a green card holder opens doors to opportunities in the United States for the long term, you still need to follow the rules to keep your permanent resident status.
This guide explores the rights and responsibilities of your green card, the steps to maintaining your residency status, and the path to becoming a U.S. citizen.
Key Takeaways:
- A part of your right as a green card holder is working and living anywhere in the U.S.
- Obeying the law is a huge responsibility you should fulfill after you get your green card.
- Renewing your green card every 10 years ensures you’re comfortable staying in the U.S.
Your Rights After Receiving a Green Card
After your Green Card Attorney helped you with your application, these are the rights you can expect to have upon getting your permanent resident card:
Live Permanently in the U.S.
A significant right for green card holders is to live anywhere in the United States indefinitely. Since you’re now a permanent resident, you don’t need to worry about your expiring status or being tied to a certain institution and state.
Work Without Restrictions
A green card lets you work for almost any company and employer in the U.S. You’re not limited to the work conditions of your visa—you have access to better jobs like other U.S. residents. You can change jobs anytime you want without the hassle of updating or renewing your visa, which is common for non-immigrant visa holders.
Travel In and Out of the U.S.
You can travel within and outside of the U.S. for vacation and family visits, but long absences from the country can make immigration suspicious of your intentions as a green card holder.
Petition for Family Members
Reuniting with loved ones in your home country is possible. You can sponsor your spouses and unmarried children for green cards, but not your siblings, parents, or married children. The waiting time for family-sponsored green cards can differ, but a reunion can still happen.
Access to Medicare and Social Security
Green cards make you eligible for Social Security and Medicare applications after reaching the age and work requirements. These two can support you during retirement or disability.
If you have limited resources and income, are 65 years old or older, or are disabled, you’ll get Supplemental Security Income from Social Security. This is totally different from the retirement benefits that Social Security gives.
Protection Under U.S. Laws
Permanent residents are protected by law at all levels—federal, state, and local. You can seek legal protection if your rights are violated. You can’t be discriminated against in housing, employment, and other areas of life because of your immigration status.
Responsibilities to Uphold After Getting the Green Card
Being an LPR with a valid green card means adhering to responsibilities to keep permanent residence:
Maintain Your Immigration Status
Your green card makes you a permanent resident but can be revoked upon violating certain rules. You’re bound to lose permanent resident status if you commit serious crimes or fail to tell the government that you’ve changed your address.
File Income Tax Returns
Now that you have a green card, you must file your federal, state, and local income tax returns. You should also report your income to the Internal Revenue Service like other U.S. citizens, regardless of where you earn your income. You’ll pay penalties and fines if you fail to comply. It can affect future citizenship applications.
Register with the Selective Service (If Applicable)
Male green card holders ages 18 to 25 must register with the Selective Service System. All male U.S. residents should register, as some may potentially serve in the military. Failure to register can affect future opportunities for benefits or federal employment.
Obey All Laws
You should be dutiful to all U.S. laws from every level of the government. Even minor legal issues can block your way to citizenship.
Carry Your Green Card All the Times
You should always carry your green card with you. If you don’t, you can get imprisoned or pay fines. However, it’s still good proof of your legal status and U.S. citizenship.
Maintaining Your Green Card Status
You could lose your status even after receiving your green card due to some situations. Remember these factors to keep yourself in good standing in the eyes of immigration:
Avoid Long Absences from the U.S.
Don’t disappear for a long time from the U.S. if you plan to travel abroad. More than six months of absence might raise questions about whether you already dropped your residency.
Absences longer than a year without getting a re-entry permit can make you lose your green card. Apply for a re-entry permit before leaving if you need to stay in the U.S. for an extended period.
Renew Your Green Card Every 10 Years
The validity of green cards lasts 10 years. You need to renew your green card before it expires. You might find it difficult to apply for jobs or travel when you fail to renew your card, although you won’t lose your permanent residency right away. Submit the Form I-90, which you fill out to replace your green card, within six months after the card expires.
Don’t Break U.S. Laws
Specific criminal offenses such as aggravated felonies, drug charges, moral turpitude, and fraud can cost your citizenship and get you deported. Driving under the influence or domestic violence conviction can jeopardize your green card.
Pathway to U.S. Citizenship
Many LPRs apply for U.S. citizenship even if you can live permanently in the United States using your green card. These are some of the requirements:
- A permanent resident for at least five years, or three if married to a U.S. citizen.
- Must demonstrate continuous physical presence and residence in the country.
- No serious criminal activity or any bad record.
- Pass the U.S. civics and English language test.
- Take the Oath of Allegiance.
Once you become a U.S. citizen, you can vote in federal elections, avoid deportation, and get fully protected by the U.S. Constitution. If you have any questions about your green card, contact an immigration lawyer since they know immigration law too well.
Final Words
Getting your green card after all the arduous application episodes is exciting. You now have access to opportunities that U.S. citizens enjoy. You can now work, live, and build your future in the United States.
Although the initial excitement after getting the green card is natural, you should still uphold your rights and adhere to your responsibilities, such as following laws and filing taxes. Fulfilling all your obligations will ensure you can still enjoy the benefits of being an LPR and even pursue U.S. citizenship later.
