FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act)
What is a Green Card? Benefits, Types and Eligibility
A green card is an identification card issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to individuals who are legally permitted to live and work permanently in the United States. The term green card comes from its original color and has been used since the card's inception. From 1950 to 1964, the cards were green, but afterwards, they were issued in various colors, such as blue, yellow, and pink, while still being referred to as green cards. In 2010, the cards returned to their original green color due to their popularity. The US Green Card must be renewed every ten years before its expiration date.
What are the Benefits of Being a Green Card Holder?
According to immigration laws and regulations, a permanent resident is provided with many of the rights of a United States citizen, with some limitations.
- You can live permanently in the United States, provided you do not engage in any activities that may make you deportable under immigration law (Section 237, Immigration and Nationality Act).
- You can be employed in the United States in any legal work based on your choice and qualifications.
- You may be eligible to vote only in limited local elections where United States citizenship is not a requirement (this applies only in specific jurisdictions).
- You are protected by all the laws of the United States, local jurisdictions, and your state of residence.
How Many Types of Green Cards?
Green cards are categorized based on eligibility and purpose:
- Family-Based Green Card
- Employment-Based Green Card
- Humanitarian Green Cards
- Diversity Lottery Green Card
- Long-term Resident (Registry-based) Green Card
- Other Special Category Green Cards
What are the Eligibility and Obligations for a Green Card?
- All permanent residents aged 18 or older are required by law to carry their green cards at all times; otherwise, they may face penalties under immigration law.
- The penalty for not carrying the green card can include a fine of up to $100 or up to 30 days in jail, although enforcement may vary.
- Green cards typically expire after 10 years and must be renewed. The cards issued from 1979 to 1989 are exceptions because they lack an expiration date.
- Conditional permanent residents, such as those who obtained their green cards through recent marriage or investment, must file a petition to remove their conditional status. This should be done within 90 days before the expiration of their conditional green card.
What is the Green Card Process?
Individuals can apply for a green card through family sponsorship, employment, refugee or asylee status, or different types of special programs. These include the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, which provides up to 55,000 visas every year through a lottery system, especially for underrepresented countries.
If an investor makes an investment above the required threshold under applicable immigration programs, they may become eligible for permanent resident status, subject to meeting all legal requirements.
What are the Requirements for a Green Card?
To obtain a green card, an individual must meet eligibility criteria such as family sponsorship, employment, refugee/asylee status, or other qualifying programs.
Permanent residents aged 18 years or older are required to carry their green cards at all times. If a green card holder is found without the card, they may face penalties under the law.
The penalty for not carrying a green card can include a fine of up to $100 or up to 30 days in jail, although enforcement may vary.
Green cards must generally be renewed every 10 years, so it is important to complete the renewal process before the card expires. Green cards issued between 1979 and 1989 are non-expiring and do not require renewal.
How Does a Green Card Work?
Individuals can apply for a green card only if they are eligible. They may qualify through work, family, refugee or asylee status, or special programs. One such program is the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, which includes a lottery system in which up to 55,000 visas are made available every year for underrepresented countries.
You can also obtain a green card through investment under specific immigration programs (such as the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program), where applicants must meet defined investment thresholds to qualify for permanent residency.