Green Card vs. Citizenship: Understanding the Differences
This article explores the key differences between having a green card and being a citizen of the United States.
US Permanent Residents have most of the same privileges and responsibilities as American citizens; however, there are some significant differences between a Green Card holder and a citizen of the United States.
Green Card holders and American citizens can live, study and work in the USA for an unlimited length of time; buy a home; start a business; sponsor family members for a Green Card; travel to and from the US; experience equality and freedom; and enjoy beautiful beaches, forests, mountains, lakes, etc.
US citizens have additional privileges, however, such as getting an American passport; being able to remain outside of the United States for extended lengths of time; applying for jobs that require US citizenship; voting in elections; and being elected or appointed to government positions (except US President).
This guide will give you the essential facts regarding the differences between a Green Card and citizenship, how to receive a Green Card, how to become an American citizen and related topics.
Table of Contents
About the Green Card
What is a Green Card?
- Green Card is the commonly-used term for a United States Permanent Resident Card.
- The Green Card is a plastic identification card that is carried as proof of US permanent residency.
- Immigrants use a Green Card to apply for US jobs, to open bank accounts, to re-enter the USA, etc.
- US Citizenship & Immigration Service (USCIS) issues Green Cards to Lawful Permanent Residents.
- Green Cards are usually valid for 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely for 10 years each time.
Eligibility requirements for a Green Card
- You must be approved for US permanent residency from outside or inside the United States.
- Green Cards can be issued to new immigrants living outside the US through:
- Family Sponsorship
- Employment
- Diversity Visa Program
- Green Cards can be granted to temporary legal residents living in the US through adjustment of status such as:
- Marriage
- Family Sponsorship
- Employment
- US Military Service
- Asylum Status
- Refugee Status
Benefits of having a Green Card:
- Live in the US in any of the 50 states for an unlimited amount of time
- Work in the USA legally in any of the 50 states
- Study in US educational institutions and apply for federal financial aid
- Travel to and from the United States according to the residency criteria
- Have the opportunity to buy a home and start a business in the USA
- Sponsor family members for a Green Card
- Experience equality and freedom that are protected by law
- Be able to enjoy beautiful beaches, forests, lakes and other scenery
- Access to a wide variety of consumer products and services
- Option to become an American citizen after living in the US 5 years
Limitations of a Green Card
- Green Card holders must live in the USA at least 6 months each year
- US permanent residents cannot vote or be elected/appointed to government office
- Green Card holders cannot apply for certain jobs that require US citizenship
- Violating Green Card regulations could result in loss of permanent resident status
About Citizenship
What is US citizenship?
- US citizenship is a legal status which gives Americans certain rights and responsibilities.
- Having US citizenship is something that Americans share, regardless of gender, race or religion.
- Americans possess US citizenship through birth or the naturalization process.
Eligibility requirements for US citizenship:
- Being born in the United States; OR
- Being born outside the US and having at least one parent who was an American citizen at that time; OR
- Becoming an American citizen through the naturalization process.
Benefits of US citizenship:
- Apply for an American passport and remain outside the US for extended periods of time
- Vote in elections and run for government office (except for US President)
- Apply for US jobs that require American citizenship
- American citizens cannot be deported
- US citizenship does not have to be renewed periodically and does not expire
Differences between a Green Card and US citizenship:
- A Green Card is valid for 10 years and can be renewed for 10 years at a time, but US citizenship is for life and never expires.
- Green Card holders cannot vote in US elections, but American citizens can vote in US elections.
- Green Card holders cannot run for government offices, but US citizens can be elected/appointed to government positions.
- Green Card holders cannot apply for US jobs that require American citizenship, such as certain defense-related jobs.
Green Card holders must live in the USA at least 6 months each year, but US citizens can live abroad indefinitely.
Process for Obtaining US Citizenship
Requirements for naturalization:
- You must live in the USA as a Permanent Resident Green Card holder for a certain number of years:
- 5 years is the general permanent residency requirement
- 3 years is required if married to a US citizen
- 1 year is required for serving in the US military
- 1 year is needed for immigrants with refugee or asylum status
- You must be at least 18 years of age
- File the Form N-400 with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and pay the fees
- Obtain two passport-style photos to include when you file your Form N-400
- Provide your biometrics (digital photo, signature and fingerprints) at the designated location
- Attend the naturalization interview with USCIS and pass the naturalization test (English and civics exams).
- Receive a decision from USCIS.
- The final step is to attend the Naturalization Ceremony, take the Oath of Allegiance and receive your Certificate of Naturalization (i.e., proof of US citizenship).
Time frame for becoming a US citizen:
It generally takes about 6-12 months to become an American citizen through naturalization from the time you file your Form N-400 to the time you receive your Certificate of Naturalization.
Cost of becoming a US citizen:
The government filing fee for the Form N-400 is $640 USD and the fee to collect your biometrics data is $85 USD.
Process for Renewing or Replacing a Green Card
Reasons for renewal/replacement:
A US Permanent Resident Green Card is generally valid for 10 years and it can be renewed (i.e., replaced with a new Green Card) every 10 years indefinitely for 10 years each time. USCIS recommends that a US permanent resident apply to replace his or her Green Card about six months before its expiration date, to allow enough time to receive a new Green Card before it expires. You should also apply to replace your Green Card if it was damaged, lost or stolen.
Steps for renewal/replacement:
In order to replace your Green Card, you must file the Form I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, either through the mail or online, and pay the filing fee of $455 USD.
You should keep your Form I-90 Receipt Notice with your Green Card as proof that you possess Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status until you receive your new Green Card.
As with your original Green Card, an appointment will be scheduled for you to provide your biometrics data for your new Green Card and you will need to pay the $85 USD biometrics fee.
You can check the status of your Form I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card online
Time frame for renewal/replacement:
The amount of time required to replace a Green Card can vary, however, it generally takes about 6-10 months.
Path from Green Card to US Citizenship
Requirements for applying for US citizenship:
- Live in the USA as a Green Card holder 5 years (3 years via marriage to a US citizen or 1 year via US military service)
- Comply with all of the requirements of Green Card holders (e.g., US residence, pay taxes, obey the law, etc.)
- Be at least 18 years of age to apply
Holding a Green Card before applying for US citizenship:
Before an immigrant can apply to become an American citizen, he or she must first be a Green Card holder for a certain number of years:
- 5 years in most cases
- 3 years if married to a US citizen
- 1 year if serving in the US military
Impact of holding a Green Card on the naturalization process:
Holding a US Permanent Resident Green Card is one of the key eligibility requirements for the naturalization process to become an American citizen, along with living in the USA with a Green Card for a certain number of years.
Conclusion
Receiving a US Permanent Resident Green Card offers immigrants many benefits and is the key for becoming an American citizen through the naturalization process.
Green Card holders and American citizens share many of the same rights and responsibilities, however, US citizens enjoy additional privileges, such as obtaining an American passport, voting in elections, the option for being elected or appointed to government positions, and living outside of the United States for extended periods of time.
There are many ways to receive a Green Card, including through family sponsorship, employment, asylum status, refugee status, and the Diversity Visa Program.
For over two decades, USAFIS.org has been helping people around the world to pursue their options for immigration to the United States.
USAFIS offers a review and submission service to simplify the application process for the Diversity Visa Program so that it is done correctly according to the strict regulations.
We also make available a US Visa Assessment to identify which of the many US visa programs best matches a customer’s profile.
To find out which US visa option is right for you, click here!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Is there a difference in the voting rights between Green Card holders and US citizens?
Yes, there is a difference in the voting rights between a Green Card holder and a US citizen. American citizens are allowed to vote in elections, while US permanent residents and other non-citizens are not permitted to vote in elections.
Is a Green Card the same as US citizenship?
No, a Green Card is not the same as US citizenship. Although US Permanent Residents and American citizens share many of the same rights and responsibilities, American citizens have additional privileges such as being able to get a US passport, living outside of the United States for extended periods of time, voting in elections, being elected or appointed to government offices, and applying for jobs that require American citizenship (for example, certain defense-related positions). Furthermore, a US permanent resident must renew/replace his or her Green Card every 10 years, while American citizenship does not have to be renewed and is for life.
What happens if your Green Card expires?
If your Green Card expires or you lose your Green Card, you still possess Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status. It is best to file the Form I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card about six months before your Green Card’s expiration date, so you can receive a new Green Card before the old one expires. After you file the Form I-90, you should keep your Form I-90 Receipt Notice with your Green Card (even if your Green Card is expired), because these two documents together can be used to prove that you possess LPR status while you wait to receive your replacement Green Card. Nonetheless, you might experience difficulties when applying for US employment or bank loans if your Green Card is expired. If your Green Card expires or you lose it while traveling outside of the United States, you should contact the American Embassy or Consulate in the country where you are residing and may need to file a Form I-131A to receive a boarding foil.
Does a Green Card make you a permanent citizen?
A Green Card is proof that an immigrant is a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) of the United States and authorized to live, study and work in the USA for an unlimited period of time; however, a Green Card does not make an immigrant a permanent US citizen. Receiving a Green Card can be the first step, however, toward becoming an American citizen through the naturalization process.
What Our Clients Say
