Green Card

#What this actually means

A green card — officially called a Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) — is the document that proves you have lawful permanent resident status in the United States. It means you can live here, work here, and travel in and out of the country without needing a visa.

The name "green card" comes from the card's original color back in the 1940s. It hasn't actually been green for most of its history (it's been pink, blue, and white at various points), but the name stuck. The current version, issued since 2017, does have a green tint again.

#How people get one

There are several paths to a green card, but the most common are:

• Family-based: A U.S. citizen or green card holder sponsors a qualifying family member (spouse, parent, child, sibling)
• Employment-based: An employer sponsors a worker, often after a labor certification process
• Diversity Visa Lottery: A random selection program for nationals of countries with low immigration rates to the U.S.
• Humanitarian: Refugees and asylees can apply after being granted protection

#Key things to know

• Most green cards are valid for 10 years and need to be renewed. Conditional green cards (common for recent marriages) are only valid for 2 years — you'll need to file to remove conditions before they expire.
• A green card gives you permanent resident status, but it's not citizenship. You can still lose your status if you abandon your U.S. residence, commit certain crimes, or are found to have obtained the card fraudulently.
• You can apply for U.S. citizenship (naturalization) after holding a green card for a certain period — typically 5 years, or 3 years if you got your green card through marriage to a U.S. citizen.