What is the difference between permanent resident and green card

Permanent residence includes the right to work in the U. Permanent residents continue to hold citizenship of another country. You may use your green card to prove employment eligibility and apply for a social security card. A permanent resident may travel outside the U. In addition, a permanent resident should travel with an unexpired passport of another country. Each time you return to the U. If you commit certain crimes or other violations, you may be placed in removal proceedings and become subject to deportation.

Also, if you remain outside the U. Any absences of one year leads to the presumption that you have abandoned your permanent residence. It is extremely difficult to overcome that presumption.

If you know you will be outside the U. A reentry permit is typically issued with a 2 year validity, and does not guarantee that you will be granted entry to the U. Up to 6 months prior to the expiration date of your alien registration card, you may apply for a renewal of the card by filing Form I application to replace permanent resident card. If you are a conditional permanent resident , you must use Form I petition to remove the conditions on residence. Permanent residents are eligible to petition for close family members spouse and unmarried children to receive permanent residence and join you.

After a certain length of time — five years in most cases, three years for spouses of U. Font Size Abc Small. Abc Medium. Abc Large. Getty Images. Before you line up for your Green Card, here are nine things you must know Moving abroad? You need to rethink your investment strategies.

Here's help. So, what does being a permanent resident of the United States mean? Subscribe to ETPrime. Browse Companies:.

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Your married children and children over age 21, as well as your brothers and sisters, are considered preference relatives, and can be put on a waiting list to immigrate. This can take several years, however, especially for the siblings. If you are interested in the benefits of U. Browse All Immigration Topics ». The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site.

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Call us at 1 Permanent Resident vs. Citizen: What's the Difference? Green card holders can in theory stay in the U.

What Lawful Permanent Resident Status Means A lawful permanent resident is someone who has been granted the right to live in the United States for an indefinite time; possibly their entire life. What U. Citizenship Means Citizenship is the highest immigration status available in the United States and offers many benefits.

People can become U. Timeframe to Get a Nonimmigrant U.