Benefits and Responsibilities of a US Green Card Holder

A green card allows a foreign national to legally live and work permanently anywhere in the United States. Green card holders, also called permanent residents, qualify to apply for US citizenship after five years (three years in some cases).

There are many rights and benefits that comes with being granted permanent residence, as well as responsibilities and rules that green card holders must abide by.

Rights and Benefits:

• You can travel overseas without the risk of being denied entry back into the United States (restriction apply such as not staying outside the US for more than 6 months at a time)
• You can sponsor your immediate relatives for green cards. Immediate relatives include a spouse, parents, or unmarried children under than 21 years of age
• You can apply for any jobs (including government jobs not reserved for US citizens)
• Green card holders qualify for in-state tuition, which is considerably less than the tuition paid by international students
• You can legally start your own business and register a company
• You can make political campaign contributions to political parties or candidates - those in the US on non-immigrant visas cannot. However, you cannot vote in federal elections, and state/local elections that require voters to be US citizens
• You can legally own property, firearms, and other items
• You can apply for US citizenship within five years of becoming a permanent resident (three years if married to a US citizens and still living with him/her)
• You are eligible to receive Social Security benefits after ten years of work (or 40 quarters of work)

Responsibilities:

• You have a responsibility to file taxes annually, Failure to do so could have your Green Card revoked
• If you intend to stay outside the U.S. for long periods, it is important to check that you are in compliance with travel regulations before you leave the US. You could be considered to have abandoned your Green Card if you stay outside the US for longer than one year
• If you move, you must notify U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within 10 days
• If you are male between the age of 18 and 25, you are required to register for Selective Service
• You are required to carry your Green Card with you at all times if you are 18 years of age or older
• You are required to obey all laws. If you are convicted of a crime, you may lose your Green Card and be deported
• You are required to renew your Green Card every ten years