Green Card Holder

#What this actually means

A green card holder is someone who has been granted lawful permanent resident (LPR) status in the United States. In practical terms, this means you can live anywhere in the U.S., work for any employer (no sponsorship needed), travel internationally, and — eventually — apply for citizenship.

The terms "green card holder," "permanent resident," and "LPR" all mean the same thing. You'll see them used interchangeably on government forms, in legal documents, and in everyday conversation.

#Rights and responsibilities

Being a green card holder comes with real privileges, but also real obligations:

• You can live and work permanently in the U.S., own property, attend public schools, join certain branches of the military, and sponsor certain family members for their own green cards.
• You must file U.S. taxes on worldwide income, register with Selective Service (if male, ages 18-25), maintain your primary residence in the U.S., and carry your green card at all times.
• You cannot vote in federal elections, run for most public offices, or hold certain government jobs that require U.S. citizenship.

#Key things to know

• "Permanent" is a bit misleading. You can lose your green card if you stay outside the U.S. for too long (generally over a year without a reentry permit), commit certain crimes, or are found to have committed fraud.
• Green card holders can sponsor a spouse and unmarried children for green cards, but the wait times can be significantly longer than if a U.S. citizen were sponsoring.
• The path to citizenship is usually 5 years after getting your green card (3 years if through marriage to a U.S. citizen). Many green card holders are eligible and don't realize it.