Green card for the United States
The U.S. Green Card, also known as the Permanent Resident Card, allows non-U.S. citizens to live and work legally in the United States without needing a U.S. visa. Each year, approximately 50,000 individuals secure their Green Card through a random selection process managed by a computer, as part of a program administered by the U.S. government.
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Why the U.S. Green Card is Important?
Holding a U.S. Green Card grants you nearly the same rights as American citizens, including access to social security, healthcare, education, and retirement benefits. However, Green Card holders cannot vote or serve as jurors. The Green Card is issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and comes with a variable validity period depending on the circumstances under which it was obtained.
To maintain your U.S. Green Card, you must fulfill certain obligations, such as filing and paying taxes in the United States and avoiding extended absences from the country. With consistent compliance, it is possible to retain your Green Card for life and even apply for U.S. citizenship after five years.
What a U.S. Green Card Looks Like?
This image shows a sample U.S. Green Card, modified to remove the holder’s personal information. The photograph used on the Green Card must be less than six months old and must adhere to specific guidelines for face positioning and passport photo dimensions.
How to Get a U.S. Green Card?
The process of obtaining a U.S. Green Card varies depending on your situation.
Here are the primary pathways:
- Family Sponsorship: U.S. citizens over the age of 21 can sponsor their spouse, parents, children, and adult siblings for a Green Card.
- Employment-Based Green Card: Business owners, company executives, investors creating jobs in the U.S., and distinguished artists, scientists, and athletes may qualify for a Green Card. Foreign nationals with a job offer in the U.S. may also be eligible, subject to specific criteria such as experience and education.
- Diversity Visa Program: Each year, the USCIS conducts a Green Card program to award approximately 50,000 Green Cards to applicants from eligible countries worldwide. Countries with high immigration rates to the U.S., such as Mexico and Canada, are typically excluded from the program.
- Asylum or Refugee Status: Individuals granted asylum or refugee status due to political persecution can apply for a Green Card. The process must be completed within two years of receiving refugee or asylum status.
For short-term stays of less than 90 days, you do not need a Green Card. Instead, you can apply for an ESTA, an Electronic Travel Authorization valid for brief visits. To get your ESTA in just a few minutes, click here to apply online.
Get Your U.S. Green Card and Secure Your Future in America
By understanding the various pathways and requirements for obtaining a U.S. Green Card, you can begin your journey toward permanent residency in the United States. Whether through family sponsorship, employment, or the Diversity Visa Program, securing a Green Card opens the door to living and working in the U.S. legally and permanently.
For more detailed information on how to apply and what to expect, visit our online resources.
Sign up for the Green Card Program
Click to secure your application as soon as possible
This article also available on:
- German: Grüne Karte für die Vereinigten Staaten
- French: Green card pour les États-Unis
- Spanish: Tarjeta verde para los Estados Unidos
- Italian: Green card per gli Stati Uniti
- English for UK: Green card for the United States