A Green Card, officially called a Permanent Resident Card, is evidence that a person has lawful permanent resident status in the United States.
Lawful permanent residents generally may live permanently in the United States and work in legal employment for which they qualify, while also having important responsibilities under U.S. law.
There Are Different Paths to a Green Card
A person must qualify under a specific immigration category.
Common pathways include:
- Family-based immigration
- Employment-based immigration
- Refugee or asylum-based adjustment
- Certain special immigrant categories
- Diversity immigrant visas
- Certain humanitarian or special provisions
- Qualifying immigrant investors
The requirements are different for each category. There is no single Green Card application that makes everyone eligible.
Adjustment of Status — Applying Inside the United States
Some people who are already physically present in the United States may qualify to apply for permanent residence through adjustment of status, generally using Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
Eligibility depends on the immigration category and the applicant’s individual history.
Depending on the case, USCIS may consider matters such as:
- The applicant’s underlying immigration category
- How the person entered the United States
- Whether an immigrant visa is available when required
- Immigration-status violations
- Unauthorized employment
- Grounds of inadmissibility
- Whether an exception or waiver applies
Some categories have special exceptions to the general adjustment rules, so a person should not assume eligibility — or ineligibility — based only on one fact about their immigration history.
Consular Processing — Applying From Outside the United States
People applying for permanent residence from outside the United States generally complete an immigrant visa process through the Department of State.
In petition-based cases, an approved petition may be sent to the National Visa Center — NVC for pre-processing.
Depending on the category, the process may include:
- Government processing fees
- Form DS-260 immigrant visa application
- Civil documents
- Financial-support documents when required
- A medical examination
- An interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate
The consular officer determines whether the applicant qualifies for the immigrant visa.
An Approved Petition Is Not the Same as a Green Card
Approval of a family petition, employment petition, or other underlying immigrant petition generally establishes an important part of the immigration case.
It does not by itself grant permanent residence.
The beneficiary normally must still complete adjustment of status or immigrant-visa processing and satisfy the requirements applicable to that process.
Visa Availability
Some immigrant categories have annual numerical limits.
When visa numbers are limited, eligibility to move forward may depend on:
- The immigration preference category
- The applicant’s priority date
- Country of chargeability
- Current immigrant-visa availability
The Department of State publishes a Visa Bulletin each month.
People in preference categories should use the current Visa Bulletin rather than relying on an old estimate of how long a case will take.
After an Immigrant Visa Is Issued
A person who receives an immigrant visa abroad generally becomes a lawful permanent resident when admitted to the United States in that immigrant classification.
Most immigrant visa recipients must also pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee so USCIS can produce and mail the physical Green Card. Certain immigrants are exempt from that fee.
The physical card may arrive after permanent resident status has already begun.
Conditional Permanent Residence
Some people receive permanent residence on a conditional basis for two years.
One common example involves a person who obtains permanent residence through a qualifying marriage when the marriage was less than two years old at the time permanent residence was granted.
Those residents generally must use Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, rather than simply renewing the card with Form I-90.
Certain immigrant investors also receive conditional permanent residence and use a different process to remove their conditions.
A conditional resident should pay close attention to the filing requirements and deadlines that apply to their particular category.
The Green Card and Permanent Resident Status Are Related — But Not Identical
The physical Green Card is evidence of lawful permanent resident status.
Most ordinary Permanent Resident Cards have an expiration date, but expiration of the card does not by itself mean that lawful permanent resident status automatically ended.
Permanent resident status generally continues unless it is abandoned, rescinded, terminated in removal proceedings, or otherwise ends under immigration law.
If a card is expiring, expired, lost, stolen, damaged, or contains incorrect information, see Open Door Peace’s separate Green Card Replacement page.
Working as a Permanent Resident
Lawful permanent residents generally have authorization to work in the United States and may work in legal employment for which they qualify.
Some jobs may still be restricted by law to U.S. citizens or require particular security clearances or qualifications.
Traveling Outside the United States
Permanent residents may generally travel internationally, but extended or repeated absences can create serious issues.
A person may be found to have abandoned permanent residence even in some circumstances involving an absence of less than one year if the facts show that the United States was no longer intended to be the person’s permanent home.
A permanent resident planning an extended absence should review the current rules for a reentry permit before leaving the United States.
A reentry permit does not guarantee admission when returning.
Travel While a Green Card Application Is Pending
Travel rules are different for someone who has not yet become a permanent resident and has a pending adjustment-of-status application.
Leaving the United States while Form I-485 is pending can affect or, in some circumstances, result in abandonment of the application unless appropriate travel authorization or a specific exception applies.
Do not assume that a pending Green Card application makes international travel safe.
Before departing the United States with a pending immigration case, verify the rules that apply to your specific status and application.
Employment While Form I-485 Is Pending
Filing Form I-485 does not automatically give every applicant permission to work.
Some adjustment applicants may qualify to apply for employment authorization using Form I-765, while others may already have employment authorization through another immigration status or category.
Do not begin employment unless you have a valid legal basis for working in the United States.
Medical Examination
Many Green Card applicants must satisfy immigration medical-examination and vaccination requirements.
The proper examination process depends on whether the person is adjusting status in the United States or applying for an immigrant visa abroad.
Applicants should use physicians authorized for the immigration process and follow the current USCIS or Department of State instructions.
Financial Sponsorship
Many family-based immigrants — and certain employment-based immigrants — require an Affidavit of Support.
The sponsorship obligation is legally significant and should be understood before the sponsor signs the form.
Not every Green Card category requires the same financial-support documentation.
Keep Your Address Current
Most non-U.S. citizens who are required to report address changes must notify USCIS within 10 days of moving.
People with pending immigration cases should also make sure the address associated with each case is properly updated so important notices and documents are not sent to an old address.
Becoming a U.S. Citizen Later
Permanent residence can eventually provide a path to naturalization for people who meet the applicable citizenship requirements.
Becoming eligible for naturalization depends on factors such as the person’s permanent-residence history and other legal requirements.
See Open Door Peace’s separate Citizenship page for general information about naturalization.
Before Filing
A Green Card application may require records relating to:
- Identity
- Immigration history
- Entry into the United States
- Family relationships
- Employment
- Financial sponsorship
- Medical examination
- Prior marriages
- Criminal or court history
- Previous immigration applications
- Travel history
The required evidence depends on the immigration category and individual circumstances.
Always use the current USCIS or Department of State forms, fees, filing instructions, and document requirements.
Cases That Need Extra Care
Individual legal review may be especially important when there is:
- Entry without inspection
- Unlawful presence
- Visa overstay or status violation
- Unauthorized employment
- Removal or deportation proceedings
- Prior removal orders
- Criminal history
- Fraud or misrepresentation concerns
- Previous immigration denials
- Multiple entries or long absences
- Possible abandonment of permanent residence
- A need for an immigration waiver
- Uncertainty about travel outside the United States
Do not assume that one of these circumstances automatically makes a person eligible or ineligible. Immigration law contains important exceptions and category-specific rules.
Protect Your Information
Green Card applications involve highly sensitive records.
Do not send Social Security numbers, passport numbers, Alien Registration Numbers, USCIS account passwords, medical records, banking information, tax documents, immigration records, or other confidential documents to Open Door Peace through ordinary website messages or email.
Use official secure government systems or a qualified legal representative when transmitting sensitive case information.
Important
Open Door Peace provides general immigration information and navigation.
We do not determine Green Card eligibility, establish attorney-client representation through this webpage, decide which immigration category a person should use based solely on website information, or guarantee approval of an application, immigrant visa, admission, or permanent residence.
Immigration eligibility depends heavily on individual facts and current law. Before making a major decision involving immigration status, travel, criminal history, prior violations, removal proceedings, inadmissibility, or waivers, consult current official guidance or qualified immigration legal assistance.