What is Green Card?
A document showing that a foreign national has been granted lawful permanent resident status in the United States, allowing them to live and work permanently.
Understanding Green Card
Green cards can be obtained through family sponsorship, employment, diversity lottery, refugee/asylee status, or other categories. Permanent residents can eventually apply for citizenship. Green cards must be renewed every 10 years (or 2 years for conditional residents).
Examples
- 1Marriage-based green card through U.S. citizen spouse
- 2Employment-based green card through employer sponsorship
- 3Diversity visa lottery winner receiving green card
Related Terms
Naturalization
The process by which a lawful permanent resident becomes a U.S. citizen by meeting eligibility requirements including continuous residence, physical presence, and passing civics and English tests.
Visa
An official document or stamp placed in a passport that allows a foreign national to apply for entry to the United States for a specific purpose and duration.
Deportation/Removal
The formal process of removing a foreign national from the United States for violating immigration law, such as overstaying a visa or committing certain crimes.
Asylum
Protection granted to foreign nationals in the U.S. who meet the definition of a refugee by demonstrating persecution or fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
DACA
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals is a program providing temporary protection from deportation and work authorization to individuals who came to the U.S. as children without legal status.
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