What Is a Green Card?
A “green card” is the common name for the Permanent Resident Card issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It identifies lawful permanent residents (LPRs) who are authorized to live and work in the United States indefinitely. The nickname comes from the card’s historical color (green at various times), though the card’s design and color have changed over the years.
Key takeaways
– A green card grants lawful permanent resident status: live and work in the U.S. permanently, travel abroad (with conditions), and eventually qualify for U.S. citizenship if eligible. (USCIS)
– Main eligibility routes: family, employment, refugee/asylee status, special programs (including the Diversity Immigrant Visa lottery and investor programs such as EB-5). (USCIS)
– The Diversity Visa (DV) Program (the “green card lottery”) makes up to 55,000 immigrant visas available annually to nationals of countries with historically low rates of U.S. immigration. There are strict entry and eligibility rules; millions apply for a small number of visas. (U.S. Department of State)
– Green cards generally expire every 10 years and must be renewed; certain conditional resident statuses require petitions to remove conditions 90 days before expiration. LPRs aged 18+ are required to carry their card at all times. (USCIS; U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
How a green card works (overview)
– Status conferred: lawful permanent residence (not full U.S. citizenship). Permanent residents may live and work in the U.S. indefinitely, petition for certain relatives, and—if eligible—apply for naturalization. (USCIS)
– Proof of status: the physical Permanent Resident Card (green card). LPRs 18 and older must have the card on their person. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
– Travel: LPRs can travel abroad, but extended absence from the U.S. can jeopardize permanent residence. Returning residents typically use the green card plus any required travel documents (e.g., reentry permit if planning long absence). (USCIS)
– Renewals/Replacement: cards normally expire every 10 years and must be renewed using USCIS procedures. Conditional cards (issued for marriage-based or investor-based conditional residence) require an additional petition to remove conditions before full permanent status is granted. (USCIS)
Requirements for a green card (common categories)
USCIS groups eligibility into several categories. The main routes are:
1. Family-based
– Immediate relatives (spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens) have priority and no numerical limit.
– Other family preference categories exist (adult children, siblings) and are subject to visa backlogs and priority dates. (USCIS)
2. Employment-based
– Several preference categories exist depending on job type, skills, and labor-market testing (PERM labor certification) for many employers.
– Employers usually sponsor applicants through a multi-step process, and some categories are for people with extraordinary ability or multinational managers. (USCIS)
3. Refugee or asylee adjustment
– Refugees and asylees may apply for a green card after one year of being admitted. (USCIS)
4. Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program (green card lottery)
– Up to 55,000 visas are allocated annually to natives of countries with low recent rates of immigration to the U.S. Applicants must meet education or work-experience requirements and other eligibility rules; selected entrants must complete consular processing or adjustment of status. Countries that have sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. in the previous five years are excluded. (U.S. Department of State)
5. Investor/EB-5
– Investors who make a qualifying investment and meet job-creation requirements may be eligible for conditional permanent residence through the EB-5 program; conditions are removed after meeting program requirements. Investment thresholds and program rules change over time—check the USCIS EB-5 page for current amounts and requirements. (USCIS)
6. Special programs and humanitarian pathways
– Special immigrant categories and humanitarian options (e.g., certain long-time residents, violence victims, and other special classifications) are also available. (USCIS)
The Diversity (Green Card) Lottery — how it works
– Official name: Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV Program). It aims to diversify immigration by selecting applicants from countries with low rates of recent U.S. immigration. (U.S. Department of State)
– Visas available: up to 55,000 per year.
– Entry rules: applicants must be natives of eligible countries and meet minimum education or work-experience qualifications. Spouses and unmarried children under 21, if listed on the principal entrant’s application, can derive visas. (U.S. Department of State)
– Odds and demand: entries are very high (e.g., roughly 23 million entries in 2018); only a small fraction receive visas. (DV 2018 selected entrants / Dept. of State)
Important obligations and practical notes
– Carrying the card: LPRs aged 18 or older are required to carry evidence of their permanent resident status (the card) at all times; failure to present it can result in penalties. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
– Card validity: most permanent resident cards expire every 10 years and must be renewed; cards issued in certain past periods (e.g., 1979–1989) may not expire. Conditional permanent resident cards have limited validity and require follow-up petitions to obtain permanent (unconditional) residence. (USCIS; U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
– Removing conditions: marriage-based conditional residents must generally file Form I-751 (petition to remove conditions) within 90 days before the card’s expiration; EB-5 conditional investors file Form I-829. Failing to timely file can result in loss of status. (USCIS)
– Criminal and public charge issues: crimes and other statutory bars can affect eligibility for admission or adjustment—seek counsel if you have criminal history or complex inadmissibility issues. (USCIS)
Practical steps — how to apply (by pathway)
Below are step-by-step practical guides for the most common green card routes. The exact steps and forms depend on your individual situation—use USCIS/Department of State instructions and consider an immigration attorney for complex cases.
A. Family-based green card (typical process for a U.S. citizen sponsoring a spouse/relative)
1. Determine relationship category (immediate relative vs. family preference).
2. U.S.-based sponsor files Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with USCIS and supporting evidence (identity, relationship proof).
3. If an immigrant visa is immediately available:
– If beneficiary is in the U.S.: file Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) when eligible (or wait for a visa number for preference categories).
– If beneficiary is abroad: complete consular processing via the National Visa Center (NVC) and the U.S. embassy/consulate for an immigrant visa interview.
4. Attend biometrics, medical exam, interviews; respond to requests for evidence.
5. If approved, receive permanent resident card (either at U.S. port of entry or mailed after adjustment). (USCIS)
B. Employment-based green card (typical employer-sponsored route)
1. Employer determines appropriate EB category and whether PERM labor certification is required.
2. Employer files labor certification (if required) with the Department of Labor, then Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) with USCIS.
3. Wait for priority date to become current (if required).
4. If beneficiary is in the U.S.: file Form I-485 to adjust status when a visa number is available. If abroad: follow consular processing.
5. Complete biometrics, medical exam, interview as needed. (USCIS)
C. Refugee/asylee adjustment
1. One year after admission as a refugee or one year after being granted asylum, file Form I-485 to adjust status to permanent resident.
2. Provide documentation of refugee/asylee status and continuous presence. (USCIS)
D. Diversity Visa (DV) lottery
1. Enter the annual DV lottery during the designated registration period via the Department of State’s official DV website. Use the official site only—there is no fee to enter. (U.S. Department of State)
2. If selected, follow instructions to complete processing (submit required forms, complete medical exam and interview, show education/work qualifications).
3. If approved, obtain immigrant visa at the consulate and travel to the U.S.; you become an LPR upon entry. (U.S. Department of State)
E. EB-5 investor route
1. Review current EB-5 requirements on the USCIS EB-5 page (investment amount, job-creation, regional center rules).
2. Invest in qualifying enterprise and compile documentary evidence.
3. File Form I-526 (or current process under new rules) and, if approved, obtain conditional resident status; later file the petition to remove conditions (I-829) once requirements are met. (USCIS)
F. Renewing or replacing a green card
1. If your card will expire within 6 months or has been lost/stolen, file Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card) with USCIS.
2. Attend biometrics appointment as instructed and wait for processing and issuance of a new card. (USCIS)
G. Removing conditions (conditional residence)
1. Marriage-based conditional residents file Form I-751 within 90 days before the conditional card expires.
2. EB-5 conditional investors file Form I-829 within the required window to demonstrate compliance with investment/job requirements.
3. Provide evidence that the marriage/investment relationship was bona fide and that conditions are satisfied. (USCIS)
Timing, processing times, and fees
– Processing times vary widely by category, country of origin, backlog, and USCIS/consulate workload. Family preference and some employment categories can have multi-year waits for certain countries.
– Fees: application and filing fees apply (forms, medical exams, biometrics, consular processing). Use USCIS and Department of State fee tables for current amounts.
Practical tips and common pitfalls
– Always use official government websites (USCIS, Department of State, Department of Labor) for forms and instructions. Beware of scams and unofficial “expediter” sites.
– Keep careful records of entry/exit dates, relationships, employment, and supporting documents—these are used in petitions and interviews.
– If you have criminal history, prior immigration violations, or incomplete records, consult an experienced immigration attorney or accredited representative before applying.
– Be mindful of travel: long absences from the U.S. can risk abandonment of LPR status; apply for a reentry permit if you anticipate extended travel. (USCIS)
Where to get authoritative information and help
– USCIS — Green Card Eligibility Categories; forms and filing instructions (USCIS.gov).
– U.S. Department of State — Diversity Visa Program instructions and public announcements (state.gov).
– USCIS — EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program page for investor-specific details (USCIS.gov).
– U.S. Customs and Border Protection — guidance on carrying proof of permanent residency and lost/stolen cards (cbp.gov).
– For legal advice: licensed immigration attorneys or Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)-accredited representatives.
Sources
– U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. “Green Card Eligibility Categories.”
– U.S. Department of State. “Instructions for the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program.”
– U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. “EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program.”
– U.S. Congress. “Immigration and Nationality Act.”
– U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “LPR—Lost, Stolen or Expired Green Cards or Has No Expiration Date.”
– U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. “How Do I Renew or Replace My Permanent Resident Card?”
– U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. “Conditional Permanent Residence.”
– U.S. Department of State. “DV 2018—Selected Entrants.”
Editor’s note: The following topics are reserved for upcoming updates and will be expanded with detailed examples and datasets.