For millions of individuals around the globe, attaining permanent U.S. residency via a green card is regarded as opportunity, security, and the pursuit of a prosperous future in a foreign land.
Even so, many people don’t understand all the ins and outs of a green card. Petitioners, freshly approved green card holders, and even seasoned residents can avoid costly mistakes and missed opportunities by learning how the system really works.
While hiring a reputable immigration law attorney can help you avoid missteps, what follows are five permanent residence and green card facts that might surprise you.
- A Green Card Isn’t Always Green
In the middle of the 20th century, “green cards” were actually printed on green paper. The current cards are not paper-based but technology-based identity cards. They have advanced security features like embedded holograms, microtext, and radio-frequency identification chips so that they cannot be altered or copied.
Another lesser-known fact is that the card itself expires after 10 years to most permanent residents, but the status does not expire. Allowing the card to lapse will be a source of hassle in the event that the green card holder is overseas, seeking employment, or trying to attain legal status.
- Permanent Residence Does Not a Citizen Make
It’s often assumed if you have a green card, you’re essentially an American citizen. While permanent residence status does offer a wide range of rights, such citizens aren’t allowed to vote for federal office, serve on a jury, or hold certain government jobs.
They are, however, deportable for particular reasons, such as committing particular kinds of crime or losing residency due to being out of the U.S. for extended periods of time.
- There Are Many Green Card Routes
Family-based and work-based green card application forms are familiar, but they’re not the sole routes through which individuals can become permanent residents. Some of the alternative routes include the following:
Humanitarian protections: Refugees, asylum seekers, and victims of trafficking.
The Diversity Visa Lottery: Tens of thousands of applicants are randomly drawn by the U.S. government annually from countries with a low previous rate of immigration to the U.S.
Investment prospects: Through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, investors who put a significant amount of money into an American firm that generates jobs can be eligible.
Knowing the category that best fits the situation can save time, reduce frustration, and enhance chances of success. That’s another reason to talk to a lawyer specializing in immigration law.
- Residency Status Takes Work
A green card is not a “set it and forget it” process. Permanent residents must work to maintain the status. For instance, an over 12-month stay outside the U.S. without a reentry permit would constitute abandonment of residence. Even short trips, if too frequent or lengthy, can raise questions about whether the individual continues to reside permanently in the U.S.
Green card holders also must file U.S. tax returns and include all income earned worldwide, just like their citizen counterparts must do. Tax evasion can lead to legal issues as well as jeopardize future petitions for citizenship.
- Green Cards Can Open the Door to Citizenship—Timing Is Critical
For the majority of long-term residents, naturalization is the final goal. And in most cases, green card holders must be in the U.S. for five years or more before they can apply for citizenship.
Whether you’re applying for a green card, hold one already, or are thinking about taking the next step toward citizenship, being informed is your best asset. By understanding the less obvious aspects of permanent residency, immigrants can avoid pitfalls and embrace the full potential of opportunities.
