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URLhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card
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United States permanent resident card Sample of a Permanent Resident Card (often called a "green card") of the United States (2023) Type Personal identification document Issued by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Purpose Identification Expiration 10 years (standard) 2 years (conditional) A green card , known officially as a permanent resident card , is an identity document which shows that a person has permanent residency in the United States . [ 1 ] [ 2 ] Green card holders are formally known as lawful permanent residents ( LPRs ). As of 2024 , there are an estimated 12.8 million green card holders, of whom almost 9 million are eligible to become United States citizens . [ 3 ] Approximately 18,700 of them serve in the U.S. Armed Forces . [ 4 ] Green card holders are statutorily entitled to apply for U.S. citizenship after showing by a preponderance of the evidence that they, among other things, have continuously resided in the United States for one to five years and are persons of good moral character . [ 5 ] [ 6 ] Those who are younger than 18 years old automatically receive U.S. citizenship if they have at least one U.S. citizen parent. [ 7 ] [ 8 ] The card is known as a "green card" because of its historical greenish color. [ 9 ] [ 10 ] It was formerly called a "certificate of alien registration", "Resident Alien Card" or an "alien registration receipt card". [ 11 ] A holder of a green card must carry it with them at all times. [ 12 ] Green card applications are decided by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), but in some cases an immigration judge or a member of the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), acting on behalf of the U.S. attorney general , may grant permanent residency in the course of removal proceedings . Any authorized federal judge may do the same by signing and issuing an injunction . [ 13 ] Immigrant workers who would like to obtain a green card can apply using form I-140. [ 14 ] [ verification needed ] An LPR could become "removable" from the United States after suffering a criminal conviction , [ 15 ] especially if it involved a particularly serious crime or an aggravated felony "for which the term of imprisonment was completed within the previous 15 years". [ 16 ] [ verification needed ] A 1949 "alien registration receipt card" of a female immigrant , which was issued by the now-abolished Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) under the Nationality Act of 1940 The Immigration and Naturalization Service was formed as part of the Department of Labor in 1933, and in 1940 was moved under the Department of Justice along with the Nationality Act of 1940 . During the 1940s the predecessor to the "Permanent Resident" card was the "Alien Registration Receipt Card" which on the back would indicate "Perm.Res" in accordance with the Immigration Act of 1924 . The INA, which was enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1952, states that "[t]he term ' alien ' means any person, not a citizen or national of the United States ." [ 17 ] Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act [ edit ] On September 30, 1996, President Clinton signed into law the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA). [ 18 ] A 1976 card issued by the INS to John Lennon , stating the following: "This is to certify that [Lennon] has been duly registered according to law and was admitted to the United States as an immigrant." Permanent resident card (2010) An LPR can file an application for naturalization after five years of continuous residency in the United States. [ 5 ] [ 19 ] This period may be shortened to three years if married to a U.S. citizen [ 20 ] or one year during service with the U.S. armed forces. [ 21 ] An LPR may submit their applications for naturalization as early as 90 days before meeting the residency requirement. In addition to continuous residency, the applicants must demonstrate good moral character , pass both an English test and a civics test, and demonstrate attachment to the U.S. Constitution . In the summer of 2018, a new program was initiated to help LPRs prepare themselves for naturalization. [ 22 ] [ 23 ] Like U.S. citizens, LPRs can sponsor certain family members to immigrate to the United States, but the number of family members of LPRs who can immigrate is limited by an annual cap, and there is a years-long backlog. [ 24 ] [ 25 ] [ 26 ] 2019 "public charge" restrictions on awarding Green cards [ edit ] On August 12, 2019, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) formally announced a new rule restricting poorer immigrants from attaining LPR status. Under the rule, which was slated to take effect on October 15, 2019, legal immigrants who have received public benefits such as Supplemental Security Income , Temporary Assistance for Needy Families , the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program , Medicaid , and public housing assistance for more than a total of twelve months may be classified as a "public charge" ineligible for permanent residency. [ 27 ] Immigration official may investigate the health, income, wealth, education, and family of applicants for permanent residency to predict whether they will become a public charge in the future. [ 28 ] The term "public charge" appears in the Immigration and Nationality Act, but is not defined by the law. Refugees, asylum seekers, pregnant women, children, and family members of those serving in the Armed Forces are excluded from the restrictions. [ 27 ] The Trump administration estimated that 58% of households headed by non-citizens use a public welfare program and half use Medicaid. [ 29 ] The Migration Policy Institute estimated that half of all Green Card applicants would be excluded by the rule. [ 27 ] Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II , the former acting director of USCIS, stated the policy will "have the long-term benefit of protecting taxpayers by ensuring people who are immigrating to this country don't become public burdens, that they can stand on their own two feet, as immigrants in years past have done." [ 27 ] The National Immigration Law Center stated that the rule "will have a dire humanitarian impact, forcing some families to forgo critical lifesaving health care and nutrition. The damage will be felt for decades to come." [ 28 ] The law center announced it would sue to prevent the policy from taking effect. [ 27 ] During his campaign for President of the United States , Joe Biden criticized the Public Charge rule and pledged to revoke it. [ 30 ] On February 2, 2021, President Biden signed an executive order that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security review the policy, amongst others. [ 31 ] In 2025, president Donald Trump began deportation proceedings against permanent residents Mahmoud Khalil , Yunseo Chung and Mohsen Mahdawi related to political activism. [ 32 ] Types of immigration [ edit ] A foreign national may obtain permanent residency in the United States primarily through the following: [ 33 ] [ 34 ] [ 23 ] Sponsorship by a family member Employment (immigrant workers and investors) Apply as a special immigrant (religious worker) Apply as human trafficking and crime victims Apply as victims of abuse Other categories (e.g. Diversity Visa) Through registry (For certain people who have resided continuously in the U.S. since before Jan. 1, 1972) Immigration eligibility and quotas [ edit ] Category Eligibility Annual quota c Immigrant visa backlog [ 35 ] Family-sponsored IR Immediate relative (spouse, children under 21 years of age, and parents) of U.S. citizens (U.S. citizens must be at least 21 years of age in order to sponsor their parents.) No numerical limit a   F1 Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age or older) of U.S. citizens 23,400 7 – 20 years b F2A Spouse and minor children (under 21 years of age) of lawful permanent residents 87,934 3 – 4 years b F2B Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age or older) of permanent residents 26,266 [ 36 ] 8 – 19 years b F3 Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens 23,400 13 – 24 years b F4 Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens 65,000 17 – 24 years b Employment-based c EB-1 Priority workers. There are three sub-groups: 1. Foreign nationals with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics; 2. Foreign nationals that are outstanding professors or researchers with at least three years' experience in teaching or research and who are recognized internationally; 3. Foreign nationals that are managers and executives subject to international transfer to the United States. 41,455 [ 37 ] currently available – 3 years b EB-2 Professionals holding advanced degrees (Ph.D., master's degree, or at least five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience) or persons of exceptional ability in sciences, arts, or business 41,455 [ 37 ] 1 year – 12 years b EB-3 Skilled workers, professionals, and other workers 41,455 [ 37 ] 2 years – 12 years b EB-4 Certain special immigrants: ministers, religious workers, current or former U.S. government workers, etc. 10,291 [ 37 ] 4 years b EB-5 Investors, for investing either $900,000 in rural projects creating over 10 American jobs or $1.8 million [ 38 ] in other developments [ 39 ] 10,291 [ 37 ] currently available – 11 years (China-born individuals) b Diversity immigrant (DV) 55,000 b   Refugee (includes asylum seekers) 125,000   a 300,000–500,000 immediate relatives admitted annually. b No more than 7 percent of the visas may be issued to natives of any one country. Currently, individuals from China (mainland), India, Mexico and the Philippines are subject to per-country quotas in most of the categories, and the waiting time may take longer (up to 11 years). [ 35 ] [ 40 ] c Spouses and minor children (under 21) may apply for immigrant visa adjudication with their spouse or parent. The quotas include not only the principal applicants but also their derivatives. Application process [ edit ] A welcome guide USCIS sends to a new immigrant along with their green card after immigration approval Applications for permanent resident cards (green cards) were decided by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) until 2003 when the INS was abolished and replaced by the current Department of Homeland Security (DHS). [ 41 ] The whole process may take several years, depending on the type of immigrant category and the country of chargeability . An immigrant usually has to go through a three-step process to get permanent residency: [ 42 ] Immigrant petition ( Form I-140 or Form I-130 ) – in the first step, USCIS approves the immigrant petition by a qualifying relative, an employer, or in rare cases, such as with an investor visa, the applicant themself. If a sibling is applying, they must have the same parents as the applicant. Immigrant visa availability – in the second step, unless the applicant is an "immediate relative", an immigrant visa number through the National Visa Center (NVC) [ 43 ] of the United States Department of State (DOS) must be available. A visa number might not be immediately available even if the USCIS approves the petition, because the number of immigrant visa numbers is limited every year by quotas set in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). There are also certain additional limitations by country of chargeability . Thus, most immigrants will be placed on lengthy waiting lists. Those immigrants who are immediate relatives of a U.S. citizen (spouses and children under 21 years of age, and parents of a U.S. citizen who is 21 years of age or older) are not subject to these quotas and may proceed to the next step immediately, since they qualify for the IR immigrant category. [ 42 ] Immigrant visa adjudication – in the third step, when an immigrant visa number becomes available, the applicant must either apply with USCIS to adjust their current status to permanent resident status or apply with the DOS for an immigrant visa at the nearest U.S. consulate before being allowed to come to the United States. Adjustment of status (AOS) – Adjustment of status is for when the immigrant is in the United States and entered the U.S. legally. Except for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, the immigrant must also be in legal status at the time of applying for adjustment of status. For immediate relatives and other relative categories whose visa numbers are current, adjustment of status can be filed for at the same time with the petition (step 1 above). Adjustment of status is submitted to USCIS via form I-485 , Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status . [ 44 ] The USCIS conducts a series of background checks, including fingerprinting for FBI criminal background check and name checks, and makes a decision on the application. Once the adjustment of status application is accepted, the alien is allowed to stay in the United States even if the original period of authorized stay on the Form I-94 is expired, but they are generally not allowed to leave the country until the application is approved, or the application will be abandoned. If the alien has to leave the United States during this time, they can apply for travel documents at the USCIS with form I-131 , also called Advance parole . [ 45 ] If there is a potential risk that the applicant's work permit (visa) will expire or become invalid, such as when employees are laid off by the employer and visa sponsor, or the applicant wants to start working in the United States, while they are waiting for the decision about their application to change status, they can file form I-765 , to get Employment Authorization Documents (also called EAD ) and be able to continue or start working legally in the United States. [ 46 ] [ 47 ] In some cases, the applicant will be interviewed at a USCIS office, especially if it is a marriage-based adjustment from a K-1 visa , in which case both spouses (the US citizen and the applicant) will be interviewed by the USCIS. If the application is approved, the alien becomes an LPR, and the actual green card is mailed to the alien's last known mailing address. [ 42 ] Consular processing – This is the process if the immigrant is outside the United States, or is ineligible for AOS. It still requires the immigrant visa petition to be first completed and approved. The applicant may make an appointment at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country, where a consular officer adjudicates the case. If the case is approved, an immigrant visa is issued by the U.S. embassy or consulate. The visa entitles the holder to travel to the United States as an immigrant. At the port of entry, the immigrant visa holder immediately becomes a permanent resident, and is processed for a permanent resident card and receives an I-551 stamp in their passport. The permanent resident card is mailed to their U.S. address within 120 days. An applicant in the United States can obtain two permits while the case is pending after a certain stage is passed in green card processing (filing of I-485). The first is a temporary work permit known as the Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which allows the alien to take employment in the United States. The second is a temporary travel document, advance parole , which allows the alien to re-enter the United States. Both permits confer benefits that are independent of any existing status granted to the alien. For example, the alien might already have permission to work in the United States under an H-1B visa . U.S. citizens may sponsor for permanent residence in the United States the following relatives: Spouses, and unmarried children under the age of 21; Parents (once the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old); Unmarried children over the age of 21 (called "sons and daughters"); Married sons and daughters; Brothers and sisters (once the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old). U.S. nationals and permanent residents may sponsor for permanent residence in the United States the following relatives: Spouses, and unmarried children under the age of 21; Unmarried children over the age of 21 (called "sons and daughters"); The Department of State's "Visa Bulletin", issued every month, gives the priority date for those petition beneficiaries currently entitled to apply for immigrant status through immigrant visas or adjustment of status. [ 35 ] There is no annual quota for the spouses, unmarried children, and parents of U.S. citizens, so there is no waiting period for these applicants—just the required processing time. However, all other family-based categories have significant backlogs, even with a U.S. citizen petitioner. Regardless of whether the family member being sponsored is located in the United States (and therefore likely to be applying for adjustment of status) or outside the United States (in which case the immigrant visa is the likely option), the process begins with the filing of an I-130 Petition for Alien Relative. The form and instructions can be found on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website. [ 48 ] Required later in the process will be additional biographic data regarding the beneficiary (the person being sponsored) and a medical examination. Additional documents, such as police certificates, may be required depending on whether immigrant visa (consular processing) or adjustment of status is being utilized. [ 49 ] All petitioners must supply the I-864 Affidavit of Support. [ 50 ] Application process for undocumented immigrants through registry provision [ edit ] Moreover, applicants who are in the United States unlawfully may be eligible to receive a green card under a sole exception. For an undocumented immigrant to be granted permanent residency they must abide by the registry date and eligibility criteria. The registry provision date was first developed in 1929 with the intention to aid in the growing number of undocumented immigrants. [ 51 ] Essentially, only immigrants who entered the United States before a certain date (registry date) qualify to receive a green card. Other parameters include continued stay since entering the country and good moral character. Congress advanced the registry date a total of four times after being created in 1929. First set to only grant residency to individuals who entered the country before or on June 3, 1921, the date was then moved to July 1, 1924, further to July 1, 1940, once more to June 30, 1948, and finally to January 1, 1972. [ 52 ] The last advancement date comprised the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) along with other regularization provisions which included penalizing institutions that knowingly employed undocumented aliens. [ 53 ] This was done through a set of congressional amendments that culminated in 1958 Act, where the requirement for non-citizens to be eligible only if they are not subject to deportation was removed. [ 54 ] Since then the registry date has not been advanced despite the number of immigrants increasing by 10 million and a total of 385 individuals have been granted a green card since the last registry update in 1986. [ 55 ] Currently the provision date only excludes non-citizens that are inadmissible to the United States on criminal or national-security grounds. The updated and current eligibility requirements for registry are as follows: You entered the United States prior to Jan. 1, 1972 You have resided in the United States continuously since you entered You are a person of good moral character You are not ineligible for naturalization (citizenship) You are not removable (deportable) under Section 237(a)(4)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) . * You are not inadmissible under Section 212(a)(3)(E) of the INA or as a criminal, procurer, other immoral person, subversive, violator of the narcotics laws or noncitizen smuggler [ 56 ] Green-card holders and families [ edit ] Green-card holders married to non-U.S. citizens are able to legally bring their spouses and minor children to join them in the US, [ 57 ] but must wait for their priority date to become current. The foreign spouse of a green-card holder must wait for approval of an "immigrant visa" from the State Department before entering the United States. Due to numerical limitation on the number of these visas, the wait time for approval may be months or years. In the interim, the spouse cannot be legally present in the United States, unless they secure a visa by some other means. Green-card holders may petition for permanent residency for their spouse and children. [ 58 ] U.S. green-card holders have experienced separation from their families, sometimes for years. A mechanism to unite families of green-card holders was created by the LIFE Act by the introduction of a " V visa ", signed into law by President Clinton . The law expired on December 31, 2000, and V visas are no longer available. Several bills have been introduced in Congress to reinstate V visas, but so far none have been successful. Improving the application process in obtaining a green card [ edit ] The most common challenges that USCIS faces in providing services in the green card process are: (1) the length of the application and approval process, and (2) the quotas of green cards granted. USCIS tries to shorten the time qualified applicants wait to receive permanent residence. Challenges with processing time of application [ edit ] Under the current system, immediate family members (spouse, child, and dependent mother and father), have priority status for green cards and generally wait 6 months to a year to have their green card application approved. For non-immediate family members, the process may take up to 10 years. [ citation needed ] Paperwork is processed on a first-come, first-served basis, so new applications may go untouched for several months. To address the issue of slow processing times, USCIS has made a policy allowing applicants to submit the I-130 and I-485 forms at the same time. This has reduced the processing time. Another delay in the process comes when applications have mistakes. In these cases papers are sent back to the applicant, further delaying the process. Currently the largest cause of long wait times is not processing time, but rather immigrant visa quotas set by Congress. [ 59 ] Quota system challenges [ edit ] Because of numerical quotas in many immigration categories, long wait times often prevent immigrants from receiving immigrant visas in a short time frame. The Augusta Chronicle in 2006 stated that an estimated two million people are on waiting lists in anticipation to become legal and permanent residents of the United States. Immigrants need visas to get off of these waiting lists, and Congress would need to change immigration law in order to accommodate them with legal status. [ citation needed ] The number of green cards that can be granted to family-based applicants depends on what preference category they fall under. An unlimited number of immediate relatives can receive green cards because there is no quota for that category. Family members who fall under the other various preference categories have fixed quotas; however, the number of visas issued from each category may vary because unused visas from one category may roll over into another category. [ 60 ] Application process for employment-based visa [ edit ] Many immigrants opt for this route, which typically requires an employer to "sponsor" (i.e., to petition before USCIS) the immigrant (known as the alien beneficiary ) through a presumed future job (in some special categories, the applicant may apply on their behalf without a sponsor). The three-step process outlined above is described here in more detail for employment-based immigration applications. After the process is complete, the alien is expected to take the certified job offered by the employer to substantiate their immigrant status, since the application ultimately rests on the alien's employment with that company in that particular position. As of Q2 in FY2025, standard processing to get an employer-sponsored green card took an average of 1,256 days—roughly 3.5 years—an increase of 18 months since 2016, and the longest time on record. [ 61 ] Immigrant petition – the first step includes the pre-requisite Permanent Labor Certification upon which the actual petition will reside. Permanent Labor Certification – the employer must legally prove that it has a need to hire an alien for a specific position and that there is no minimally qualified U.S. citizen or LPR available to fill that position, hence the reason for hiring the alien. Some of the requirements to prove this situation include: proof of advertising for the specific position; skill requirements particular to the job; verification of the prevailing wage for a position; and the employer's ability to pay. This is currently done through an electronic system known as PERM . [ 62 ] The date when the Permanent Labor Certification application is filed becomes the applicant's priority date . In some cases, for highly skilled foreign nationals (EB1 and EB2 National Interest Waiver , e.g. researchers, athletes, artists or business executives) and "Schedule A" labor [ 63 ] (nurses and physical therapists), this step is waived. This step is processed by the United States Department of Labor (DOL). The Permanent Labor Certification is valid for 6 months from the time it is approved. Immigrant petition – the employer applies on the alien's behalf to obtain a visa number. The application is form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers , [ 64 ] and it is processed by the USCIS. There are several EB ( employment-based ) immigrant categories (i.e., EB1-EA, EB2-NIW, EB5) [ 65 ] under which the alien may apply, with progressively stricter requirements, but often shorter waiting times. Many of the applications are processed under the EB3 category. [ 66 ] Currently, this process takes up to 6 months. Many of the EB categories allow expedited processing of this stage, known as "premium processing". Immigrant visa availability . When the immigrant petition is approved by the USCIS, the petition is forwarded to the NVC for visa allocation. Currently this step centers around the priority date concept. Priority date – the visa becomes available when the applicant's priority date is earlier than the cutoff date announced on the DOS's Visa Bulletin or when the immigrant visa category the applicant is assigned to is announced as "current". A "current" designation indicates that visa numbers are available to all applicants in the corresponding immigrant category. Petitions with priority dates earlier than the cutoff date are expected to have visas available, therefore those applicants are eligible for final adjudication. When the NVC determines that a visa number could be available for a particular immigrant petition, a visa is tentatively allocated to the applicant. The NVC will send a letter stating that the applicant may be eligible for adjustment of status, and requiring the applicant to choose either to adjust status with the USCIS directly, or apply at the U.S. consulate abroad. This waiting process determines when the applicant can expect the immigration case to be adjudicated. Due to quotas imposed on EB visa categories, there are more approved immigrant petitions than visas available under INA. High demand for visas has created a backlog of approved but unadjudicated cases. In addition, due to processing inefficiencies throughout DOS and USCIS systems, not all visas available under the quota system in a given year were allocated to applicants by the DOS. Immigrant visa adjudication . When the NVC determines that an immigrant visa is available, the case can be adjudicated. If the alien is already in the US, that alien has a choice to finalize the green card process via adjustment of status in the U.S., or via consular processing abroad. If the alien is outside of the United States they can only apply for an immigrant visa at the U.S. consulate. The USCIS does not allow an alien to pursue consular processing and AOS simultaneously. Prior to filing the form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) it is required that the applicant have a medical examination performed by a USCIS-approved civil surgeon . The examination includes a blood test and specific immunizations, unless the applicant provides proof that the required immunizations were already done elsewhere. The civil surgeon hands the applicant a sealed envelope containing a completed form I-693, which must be included unopened with the I-485 application. [ 67 ] Adjustment of status (AOS) – after the alien has a Permanent Labor Certification and has been provisionally allocated a visa number, the final step is to change their status to permanent residency. Adjustment of status is submitted to USCIS via form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status . If an immigrant visa number is available, the USCIS will allow "concurrent filing" : it will accept forms I-140 and I-485 submitted in the same package or will accept form I-485 even before the approval of the I-140. Consular processing – this is an alternative to AOS, but still requires the immigrant visa petition to be completed. Prior to 2005, this process was somewhat faster than applying for AOS, so was sometimes used to circumvent long backlogs (of over two years in some cases). However, due to recent efficiency improvements by the USCIS, it is not clear whether applying via consular processing is faster than the regular AOS process. Consular processing is also thought to be riskier since there is no or very little recourse for appeal if the officer denies the application. Each year, up to 55,000 immigrant visas are made available through the Diversity Visa (DV) program, also known as the Green Card Lottery , to people who were born in countries with low rates of immigration to the United States [ 68 ] (fewer than 50,000 immigrants in the past five years). Applicants can only qualify by country of chargeability , not by citizenship. [ 68 ] Anyone who is selected under this lottery will be given the opportunity to apply for permanent residence. They can also file for their spouse and any unmarried children under the age of 21. If permanent residence is granted, the winner (and their family, if applicable) receives an immigrant visa in their passport(s) that has to be "activated" within six months of issuance at any port of entry to the United States. If already in the U.S. adjustment of status may be pursued. The new immigrant receives a stamp on the visa as proof of lawful admittance to the United States, and the individual is now authorized to live and work permanently in the United States. Finally, the actual "green card" typically arrives by mail within a few months. In December 2025, the lottery was suspended. [ 69 ] Green card lottery scams [ edit ] There is a growing number [ 70 ] of fraudulent green card lottery scams , in which false agents take money from applicants by promising to submit application forms for them. Most agents are not working for the distribution service. Some claim that they can increase the chance of winning the lottery, when in fact, they may delay or not submit the application. Likewise, some claim to provide to winners free airline tickets or other benefits, such as submissions in future years or cash funds. There is no way to guarantee their claims, and there are numerous nefarious reasons for them not to fulfill their promises. Applicants are advised to use only official U.S. government websites, in which the URL ends in .gov . Green card lottery e-mail fraud [ edit ] Other fraud perpetrators will e-mail potential victims posing as State Department or other government officials with requests to wire or transfer money online as part of a "processing fee". These fraudulent e-mails are designed to steal money from unsuspecting victims. The senders often use illegitimate e-mail addresses and logos designed to make them look more like official government correspondence. One easy way to tell that an email address is fraudulent is that it does not end with ".gov". One particularly common fraud email asks potential victims to wire money via Western Union to an individual (the name varies) at the following address in the United Kingdom: 24 Grosvenor Square, London. These emails come from a variety of email addresses designed to impersonate the U.S. State Department. The USCIS blog has published information on this email scam and how to report fraudulent emails to the authorities. [ 71 ] The U.S. government has issued warnings about this type of fraud or similar business practices. [ 72 ] [ 73 ] [ 74 ] Inadmissibility Based on Political Affiliation [ edit ] On October 2, 2020, the USCIS declared the inadmissibility based on belonging or affiliation to Communist parties or any, unspecified, "totalitarian party". Membership or affiliation with such parties, whether US or foreign, would be incompatible with the oath of allegiance to the naturalization of the United States of America, which includes a commitment to "support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States". Exceptions to the inadmissibility rule include circumstances where membership is: "Involuntary; Solely when under 16 years of age; By operation of law; or For purposes of obtaining employment, food rations, or other essentials of living and where necessary for such purposes." [ 75 ] The ban would affect current members of Chinese Communist Party and Communist Youth League of China , for example. [ 76 ] Rights and responsibilities of a lawful permanent resident [ edit ] Lawful permanent residents, also known as green card holders, have certain rights and responsibilities as highlighted by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and other federal agencies. [ 77 ] LPRs can secure many types of jobs just like U.S. citizens can. LPRs can register property under their names and live anywhere within the United States. They can similarly operate any type of business in the United States. [ 78 ] LPRs are also subject to similar obligations as U.S. citizens. For example, male LPRs between the ages of 18 and 25 are subject to registering in the Selective Service System . Like U.S. citizens, LPRs must pay taxes on their worldwide income (this includes filing annual U.S. income tax returns). LPRs are not permitted to vote in federal elections and they cannot be elected to federal office. They may vote in certain local elections , and hold local and state offices (subject to state/city law and Constitutionality ). [ 79 ] Reside permanently in the United States provided they do not commit actions that would make them removable under the INA. [ 15 ] Join and serve in the United States Armed Forces , including in many law enforcement agencies . Work anywhere in the United States (with the exception of federal jobs requiring security clearances and some companies under contract by the federal government). [ 80 ] Be protected equally by the law of the United States , their State of residence , and local jurisdictions. Travel freely outside the United States for up to one year as a tourist. Petition for (or sponsor) certain family members to immigrate to the United States as lawful permanent residents. Such family members include spouse and unmarried children of any age. [ clarification needed ] Required to obey all laws of the United States, including state laws, and localities. Required to file income tax returns and report income to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and state taxing authorities. Register with the Selective Service System (if male and aged 18 through 25). Conditional permanent residents [ edit ] As part of immigration reform under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA), as well as further reform enacted in the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA), eligible persons who properly apply for permanent residency based on either a recent marriage to a U.S. citizen or as an investor are granted such privilege only on a conditional basis , for two years. An exception to this rule is the case of a U.S. citizen legally sponsoring a spouse in which the marriage at the time of the adjustment of status (I-485) is more than two years old. In this case, the conditional status is waived and a 10-year "permanent resident card" is issued after the USCIS approves the case. A permanent resident under the conditional clause may receive an I-551 stamp as well as a permanent resident card. The expiration date of the conditional period is two years from the approval date. The immigrant visa category is CR (conditional resident). When this two-year conditional period is over, the permanent residence automatically expires and the applicant is subject to deportation and removal unless, up to 90 days before the conditional residence expires, the applicant files form I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence [ 81 ] (if conditional permanent residence was obtained through marriage) or form I-829 Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions [ 82 ] (if conditional permanent residence was obtained through investment) with USCIS to have the conditions removed. Once the application is received, permanent residence is extended in 1-year intervals until the request to remove conditions is approved or denied. For conditional permanent residence obtained through marriage, both spouses must sign form I-751; if the spouses are divorced, it is possible to get a waiver of the other spouse's signing requirement, if it can be proved that the marriage was bona fide. The USCIS requires that the application for the removal of conditions provide both general and specific supporting evidence that the basis on which the applicant obtained conditional permanent residence was not fraudulent. For an application based on marriage, birth certificates of children, joint financial statements, and letters from employers, friends and relatives are some types of evidence that may be accepted. [ 83 ] That is to ensure that the marriage was in good faith and not a fraudulent marriage of convenience with a sole intention of obtaining a green card. A follow-up interview with an immigration officer is sometimes required but may be waived if the submitted evidence is sufficient. Both the spouses must usually attend the interview. The applicant receives an I-551 stamp in their foreign passport upon approval of their case. The applicant is then free from the conditional requirement once the application is approved. The applicant's new permanent resident card arrives via mail to their house several weeks to several months later and replaces the old two-year conditional residence card. The new card must be renewed after 10 years, but permanent resident status is now granted for an indefinite term if residence conditions are satisfied at all times. The USCIS may request to renew the card earlier because of security enhancements of the card or as a part of a revalidation campaign to exclude counterfeit green cards from circulation. The two-year conditional residence period counts toward satisfying a residency requirement for U.S. naturalization , and other purposes. Application for the removal of conditions must be adjudicated before a separate naturalization application can be reviewed by the USCIS on its own merits. Differences between permanent residents and conditional permanent residents [ edit ] Conditional permanent residents have all of the equal "rights, privileges, responsibilities and duties which apply to all other lawful permanent residents." [ 84 ] The only difference is the requirement to satisfy the conditions (such as showing marriage status or satisfying entrepreneur requirements) before the two-year period ends. Abandonment or loss of permanent residence status [ edit ] A green-card holder may abandon permanent residence by filing form I-407, with the green card, at a U.S. Embassy. [ 85 ] Under certain conditions, permanent residence status can be lost involuntarily. [ 86 ] This includes committing a criminal act that makes a person removable from the United States (an aggravated felony ). A person might also be found to have abandoned their status if they move to another country to live there permanently, stay outside the US for more than one year (without getting a re-entry permit before leaving), [ 87 ] or fail to file an income tax return on their worldwide income. Permanent resident status can also be lost if it is found that the application or grounds for obtaining permanent residence was fraudulent. The failure to renew the permanent resident card does not result in the loss of status, except in the case of conditional permanent residents as noted above. Nevertheless, failure to renew the card can result in loss of work eligibility and the ability to travel. A person who loses permanent residence status is immediately removable from the United States and must leave the country as soon as possible or face deportation and removal. In some cases the person may be banned from entering the country for three or seven years, or even permanently . [ citation needed ] Tax costs of green card relinquishment [ edit ] Due to the Heart Act [ 88 ] foreign workers who have owned a green card in eight of the last 15 years and choose to relinquish it will be subject to the expatriation tax , which taxes unrealized gains above $600,000, anywhere in the world. However this will only apply to those people who have a federal tax liability greater than $139,000 a year or have a worth of more than $2 million or have failed to certify to the IRS that they have been in compliance with U.S. federal tax obligations for the past five years. [ 89 ] [ 90 ] If the green card is not relinquished, then the holder is subject to double taxation when living or working outside of the United States, whether or not within their home nation, although double taxation may be mitigated by foreign tax credits . Reading a permanent resident card [ edit ] Pre-2008 permanent resident card, bearing the seal of the United States Department of Homeland Security While most of the information on the card is self-evident, the computer- and human-readable signature at the bottom is not. The format follows the machine-readable travel document TD1 format: First line: 1–2: C1 or C2. C1 = resident within the United States, C2 = permanent resident commuter (living in Canada or Mexico) 3–5: USA (issuing country, United States) 6–14: 9-digit number (A#, alien number) 15: check digit over digits 6–14 16–30: 13-character USCIS receipt number, [ 91 ] padded with "<" as a filler character [ 92 ] Second line: 1–6: birth date (in YYMMDD format) 7: check digit over digits 1–6 8: gender 9–14: expiration date (in YYMMDD format) 15: check digit over digits 9–14 16–29: country of birth 30: cumulative check digit (over digits 6–30 (upper line), 1–7, 9–15, 19–29 (lower line)) Third line: surname, given name, middle name, first initial of father, first initial of mother (this line is spaced with "<<" between the surname and given name). [ citation needed ] Depending on the length of the name, the father's and mother's initials may be omitted. A full list of category codes (i.e. IR1, E21, etc.) can be found in the Federal Register [ 93 ] [ 94 ] or Foreign Affairs Manual. [ 95 ] Since May 11, 2010, new green cards contain an RFID chip [ 96 ] and can be electronically accessed at a distance. They are shipped with a protective sleeve intended to protect the card from remote access, but it is reported to be inadequate. [ 97 ] Visa-free travel for U.S. permanent residents [ edit ] The following countries and territories generally allow U.S. permanent residents to enter the country without a visa for purposes of tourism. Suspension of the Diversity Visa Program [ edit ] US Homeland Security Director Kristi Noem announced on Thursday, 18 December 2025, by order of President Donald Trump, the United States Green Card Lottery program has been suspended. White House officials said the decision was made after it was determined that the main suspect in the 2025 Brown University shooting entered the United States through the green card lottery. Trump has long opposed the multicultural immigrant visa program, and the suspension of the lottery was done to advance his immigration policy goals. [ 120 ] [ 121 ] [ 122 ] [ 123 ] [ 124 ] [ 125 ] [ 126 ] [ 127 ] Blue Card (European Union) Canada Permanent Resident Card (PR Card), equivalent document in Canada Chinese Foreign Permanent Resident Identity Card Indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom Permanent residency Green card marriage This article in most part is based on law of the United States , including statutory and published case law . ^ 8 U.S.C.   § 1101(a)(20) ("The term 'lawfully admitted for permanent residence' means the status of having been lawfully accorded the privilege of residing permanently in the United States as an immigrant in accordance with the immigration laws , such status not having changed."). ^ "Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR)" . U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS). April 24, 2018. Archived from the original on September 22, 2018 . Retrieved September 22, 2018 . ^ Miller, Sarah (September 2024). "Estimates of the Lawful Permanent Resident Population in the United States and the Subpopulation Eligible to Naturalize: 2023" (PDF) . United States Department of Homeland Security . ^ Dowd, Alan (April 2, 2018). "What a Country: Immigrants Serve US Military Well" . providencemag.com. Archived from the original on September 23, 2018 . Retrieved September 22, 2018 . ^ a b 8 U.S.C.   § 1427 ("Requirements of naturalization"); see also 8 U.S.C.   § 1101(f)(8) ; "Path to U.S. Citizenship" . United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). January 22, 2013. Archived from the original on September 23, 2018 . Retrieved September 23, 2018 . "How to Apply for U.S. Citizenship" . www.usa.gov. September 4, 2018. Archived from the original on September 16, 2018 . Retrieved September 23, 2018 . ^ Al-Sharif v. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services , 734 F.3d 207 Archived September 25, 2018, at the Wayback Machine (3d Cir. 2013) (en banc) (holding that an LPR convicted of an aggravated felony cannot obtain U.S. citizenship); see also Mobin v. Taylor , 598 F.Supp.2d 777 Archived December 9, 2018, at the Wayback Machine ( E.D. Va. 2009) (same). ^ Khalid v. Sessions , 904 F.3d 129 Archived 2018-12-23 at the Wayback Machine , 131 (2d Cir. 2018) (case involving a U.S. citizen in removal proceedings ) ^ "Khalid v. Sessions" . Short Circuit . Retrieved April 1, 2022 . ^ "USCIS Announces Redesigned Green Card: Fact Sheet and FAQ" . AILA . May 11, 2010. Archived from the original on March 6, 2015 . Retrieved April 23, 2014 . ^ "New Design: The Green Card Goes Green" . USCIS . May 11, 2010. Archived from the original on June 1, 2017 . Retrieved April 23, 2014 . ^ "Campos v. United States" . Archived from the original on October 10, 2018. , 732 ( 5th Cir. 2018 (888 F.3d 724)). ^ Absent exceptional circumstances , 'Every alien, eighteen years of age and over, shall at all times carry with him and have in his personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card issued to him pursuant to subsection (d). Any alien who fails to comply with the provisions of this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall upon conviction for each offense be fined not to exceed $100 or be imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both': INA § 264(e) Archived September 23, 2018, at the Wayback Machine , 8 U.S.C.   § 1304(e) ("Personal possession of registration or receipt card; penalties"). ^ See generally Agor v. Sessions , No. 17‐3231 (2d Cir. September 26, 2018) ("Although federal courts are barred from reviewing a discretionary denial of an adjustment application, we retain jurisdiction to review an applicantʹs eligibility to adjust.") (summary order); Alimbaev v. Att'y , 872 F.3d 188 Archived November 29, 2018, at the Wayback Machine , 194 (3d Cir. 2017) (same); Bonilla v. Lynch , 840 F.3d 575 Archived October 6, 2018, at the Wayback Machine , 581-82 (9th Cir. 2016) (same). ^ "Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers | USCIS" . May 4, 2021. ^ a b 8 U.S.C.   § 1229a(e)(2) ("The term 'removable' means—(A) in the case of an alien not admitted to the United States, that the alien is inadmissible under section 1182 of this title, or (B) in the case of an alien admitted to the United States, that the alien is deportable under section 1227 of this title."); see also Galindo v. Sessions , 897 F.3d 894 Archived December 24, 2018, at the Wayback Machine , 897 ( 7th Cir. 2018); Tima v. Att'y Gen. , 903 F.3d 272 Archived December 23, 2018, at the Wayback Machine , 277 (3d Cir. 2018) ("Section 1227 defines '[d]eportable aliens,' a synonym for removable aliens.... So § 1227(a)(1) piggybacks on § 1182(a) by treating grounds of inadmissibility as grounds for removal as well."). ^ 8 U.S.C.   § 1101(a)(43) ("The term [aggravated felony] applies to an offense described in this paragraph ... and applies to such an offense ... for which the term of imprisonment was completed within the previous 15 years."); Matter of Vasquez-Muniz , 23 I&N Dec. 207 Archived April 12, 2019, at the Wayback Machine , 211 (BIA 2002) (en banc) ("This penultimate sentence, governing the enumeration of crimes in section 101(a)(43) of the Act, refers the reader to all of the crimes 'described in' the aggravated felony provision."); Luna Torres v. Lynch , 578 U.S. 452, ___, 136 S.Ct. 1623 Archived December 2, 2018, at the Wayback Machine , 1627 (2016) ("The whole point of § 1101(a)(43)'s penultimate sentence is to make clear that a listed offense should lead to swift removal, no matter whether it violates federal, state, or foreign law."); see also 8 CFR 1001.1 (t) ("The term aggravated felony means a crime (or a conspiracy or attempt to commit a crime) described in section 101(a)(43) of the Act. This definition is applicable to any proceeding, application, custody determination, or adjudication pending on or after September 30, 1996 , but shall apply under section 276(b) of the Act only to violations of section 276(a) of the Act occurring on or after that date.") (emphasis added). ^ 8 U.S.C.   § 1101(a)(3) ^ Othi v. Holder 734 F.3d 259 Archived December 10, 2018, at the Wayback Machine , 264-65 ( 4th Cir. 2013) ("In 1996, Congress 'made major changes to immigration law' via IIRIRA .... These IIRIRA changes became effective on April 1, 1997."). ^ 8 CFR 316.2 ("Eligibility"); 8 U.S.C.   § 1429 ("Prerequisite to naturalization; burden of proof"). ^ See generally 8 CFR 319.1 ("Persons living in marital union with United States citizen spouse"). ^ "Naturalization Through Military Service" . USCIS . Archived from the original on November 12, 2018 . Retrieved November 12, 2018 . ^ "Citizenship and Assimilation Grant Program" . USCIS. Archived from the original on September 22, 2018 . Retrieved September 22, 2018 . ^ a b "Green Card | USCIS" . www.uscis.gov . July 11, 2022 . Retrieved February 11, 2023 . ^ "I Am a Permanent Resident. How Do I Help My Relative Become a U.S. Permanent Resident?" (PDF) . USCIS. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 12, 2013 . Retrieved September 23, 2018 . 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"Nationals of the following countries do NOT require a visa to enter Belize as a tourist for a period of up to 30 days. – Any person who is the holder of a valid United States of America (USA) multiple entry visa or a Permanent Residency Card OR a valid Schengen multiple entry visa for a European Union (EU) member state." ^ " Immigration ". Government of Bermuda . May 22, 2008. Archived from the original on October 17, 2007. ^ "British Virgin Islands International Travel Information" . travel.state.gov . Retrieved August 19, 2020 . ^ " Countries/Territories requiring visas Archived July 29, 2017, at the Wayback Machine ". Cic.gc.ca . July 11, 2011. Retrieved April 5, 2012. ^ "Find out about Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)" . April 25, 2022. ^ " List of Countries Archived December 30, 2017, at the Wayback Machine ". Immigration . Government of the Cayman Islands. Retrieved February 8, 2019. "Exemptions. Even if you are a national of one of the countries listed above, you will NOT require a visa to enter the Cayman Islands if you are not a prohibited immigrant** and you can satisfy an Immigration Officer on arrival in the Cayman Islands that you are ... you are resident in the United States of America; and you arrive directly from that country; and you produce on arrival a valid United States Alien Registration Card; and you produce on arrival a return or round trip ticket to the United States." ^ " Consular Visa Archived March 30, 2019, at the Wayback Machine ". Embassy of Costa Rica in Washington, D.C. . Retrieved February 8, 2018. "Situations that do not need tourist visa to enter Costa Rica. Nationals of countries that require a VISA to enter Costa Rica are NO LONGER REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR THE VISA if: ... You have permanent residence (Greencard holder) ... Permanent residents must show their residence card, which must be valid for at least six months. The residence card (Green Card) must meet the new security features according to the specifications by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The green card should have an expiration date according to the security features. ... Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into the country and once in Costa Rica, you can remain for a maximum of 30 calendar days, An extension of the stay must be requested at the Office of Migration in Costa Rica." ^ " Embassy of the Dominican Republic, in the United States Archived December 17, 2011, at the Wayback Machine ". Domrep.org . Retrieved August 16, 2014. ^ " Do I need a visa for the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom? Archived June 21, 2019, at the Wayback Machine ". Netherlandsandyou.nl . Kingdom of the Netherlands. Retrieved February 8, 2019. "Do I need a visa for the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom? ... If you hold a permanent residence permit for the United States or Canada, you do not need a visa." ^ " Aruba Entry Requirements Archived January 14, 2019, at the Wayback Machine ". Visit Aruba . Carib Media. Retrieved February 8, 2019. "Visa required persons exempted from the visa requirement. Click here to download a list of nationals who need a Visa to travel to Aruba. The following persons, who normally require a visa, are exempt from this requirement: Holders of a valid residence permit (temporary or permanent) from: another part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; the United States of America; Canada, The Schengen Territory, United Kingdom, Ireland." ^ "Guatemala International Travel Information" . travel.state.gov . Retrieved August 19, 2020 . ^ "Honduras International Travel Information" . travel.state.gov . Retrieved August 19, 2020 . ^ "Jamaica International Travel Information" . travel.state.gov . Retrieved August 19, 2020 . ^ "Embassy of the Republic Kosovo, in Washington DC" . Archived from the original on June 21, 2016 . Retrieved August 12, 2016 . ^ "Instituto Nacional de Migracion" . www.inm.gob.mx. Archived from the original on July 12, 2015 . Retrieved August 4, 2015 . ^ " Montenegro Visa Regimes Archived April 4, 2019, at the Wayback Machine ". Visit Montenegro . Holders of travel documents containing a valid Schengen visa, a valid visa of the United States of America, United Kingdom, Ireland, or a permission to stay in these countries, may enter and stay, or pass through the territory of Montenegro up to 30 days, and not longer than the expiry of visa, if the period of validity of the visa is less than 30 days." ^ " Immigration and Visas". Embassy of Panama in Washington, D.C. Retrieved 8 2019. "Visa Waiver: There is a Law in effect regarding tourist visas for entering the Republic of Panama; EXECUTIVE DECREE # 591 states that: “Those who hold a valid passport with a 3 months validity left and a multiple entry visa with a remaining ONE year validity from ONE of the following countries: USA, Australia, Canada, or United Kingdom, which has been used at least one time to enter these countries, may enter the Republic of Panama regardless of their nationality." Archived February 9, 2019, at the Wayback Machine ^ " Travel to Serbia Archived April 6, 2016, at the Wayback Machine ". Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Washington, D.C. Retrieved February 8, 2019. "Foreign nationals who have a valid US visa or lawful residence in the United States (green card) may enter the Republic of Serbia without visas and stay no longer than 90 days within six month period. Visa must be valid for the whole duration of stay in the Republic of Serbia." ^ "US suspends green card lottery scheme after Brown shooting" . www.bbc.com . December 19, 2025 . Retrieved December 31, 2025 . ^ Staff (December 19, 2025). "Trump suspends US green card lottery in wake of Brown University and MIT shootings" . The Guardian . ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved December 31, 2025 . ^ Press, The Associated (December 19, 2025). "Trump suspends U.S. green card lottery after Brown University and MIT shootings" . NPR . Retrieved December 31, 2025 . ^ Staff, Al Jazeera. "Trump government suspends visa lottery linked to Brown University suspect" . Al Jazeera . Retrieved December 31, 2025 . ^ "Trump administration suspends green card lottery after Brown University shooting" . December 19, 2025 . Retrieved December 31, 2025 . ^ Ohlen, Elsa (December 19, 2025). "Trump suspends U.S. green card lottery after Brown University shooting" . CNBC . Retrieved December 31, 2025 . ^ "Trump administration suspends green-card lottery after Brown shooting" . The Washington Post . December 19, 2025. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved December 31, 2025 . ^ "Trump Administration Pauses Diversity Immigration Program After Brown Shooting" . Media related to Green Cards (United States) at Wikimedia Commons Green Card at USCIS.gov Types of employment-based Green Card application categories Frost, Amanda (2021). You Are Not American: Citizenship Stripping from Dred Scott to the Dreamers . Beacon Press. ISBN   978-0-8070-5143-6 . Birkvad, Simon Roland (March 2023). " 'Citizenship Cheaters' before the Law: Reading Fraud-Based Denaturalization in Norway through Lenses of Exceptionalism". International Political Sociology . 17 (1) olad006. doi : 10.1093/ips/olad006 . ProQuest   2823849892 . Dhillon, Hardeep (February 2023). "The Making of Modern US Citizenship and Alienage: The History of Asian Immigration, Racial Capital, and US Law". Law and History Review . 41 (1): 1– 42. doi : 10.1017/S0738248023000019 . Berman, Lila Corwin (November 2022). "How a Citizen Becomes an Alien: Three Cases of American Jews and Citizenship Lost, Regained, and Lost Again". Modern American History . 5 (3): 289– 311. doi : 10.1017/mah.2022.18 . ProQuest   2756622343 .
Markdown
[Jump to content](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#bodyContent) Main menu Main menu move to sidebar hide Navigation - [Main page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page "Visit the main page [z]") - [Contents](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents "Guides to browsing Wikipedia") - [Current events](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Current_events "Articles related to current events") - [Random article](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random "Visit a randomly selected article [x]") - [About Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:About "Learn about Wikipedia and how it works") - [Contact us](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contact_us "How to contact Wikipedia") Contribute - [Help](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Contents "Guidance on how to use and edit Wikipedia") - [Learn to edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Introduction "Learn how to edit Wikipedia") - [Community portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Community_portal "The hub for editors") - [Recent changes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:RecentChanges "A list of recent changes to Wikipedia [r]") - [Upload file](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:File_upload_wizard "Add images or other media for use on Wikipedia") - [Special pages](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:SpecialPages "A list of all special pages [q]") [![](https://en.wikipedia.org/static/images/icons/enwiki-25.svg) ![Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/static/images/mobile/copyright/wikipedia-wordmark-en-25.svg) ![The Free Encyclopedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/static/images/mobile/copyright/wikipedia-tagline-en-25.svg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page) [Search](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search "Search Wikipedia [f]") Appearance - [Donate](https://donate.wikimedia.org/?wmf_source=donate&wmf_medium=sidebar&wmf_campaign=en.wikipedia.org&uselang=en) - [Create account](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:CreateAccount&returnto=Green+card "You are encouraged to create an account and log in; however, it is not mandatory") - [Log in](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:UserLogin&returnto=Green+card "You're encouraged to log in; however, it's not mandatory. [o]") Personal tools - [Donate](https://donate.wikimedia.org/?wmf_source=donate&wmf_medium=sidebar&wmf_campaign=en.wikipedia.org&uselang=en) - [Create account](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:CreateAccount&returnto=Green+card "You are encouraged to create an account and log in; however, it is not mandatory") - [Log in](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:UserLogin&returnto=Green+card "You're encouraged to log in; however, it's not mandatory. [o]") ## Contents move to sidebar hide - [(Top)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card) - [1 History](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#History) Toggle History subsection - [1\.1 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#Illegal_Immigration_Reform_and_Immigrant_Responsibility_Act) - [1\.2 2019 "public charge" restrictions on awarding Green cards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#2019_"public_charge"_restrictions_on_awarding_Green_cards) - [2 Types of immigration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#Types_of_immigration) Toggle Types of immigration subsection - [2\.1 Immigration eligibility and quotas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#Immigration_eligibility_and_quotas) - [3 Application process](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#Application_process) Toggle Application process subsection - [3\.1 Application process for family-sponsored visa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#Application_process_for_family-sponsored_visa) - [3\.2 Application process for undocumented immigrants through registry provision](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#Application_process_for_undocumented_immigrants_through_registry_provision) - [3\.2.1 Green-card holders and families](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#Green-card_holders_and_families) - [3\.2.2 Improving the application process in obtaining a green card](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#Improving_the_application_process_in_obtaining_a_green_card) - [3\.2.2.1 Challenges with processing time of application](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#Challenges_with_processing_time_of_application) - [3\.2.2.2 Quota system challenges](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#Quota_system_challenges) - [3\.3 Application process for employment-based visa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#Application_process_for_employment-based_visa) - [3\.4 Green card lottery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#Green_card_lottery) - [3\.4.1 Green card lottery scams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#Green_card_lottery_scams) - [3\.4.2 Green card lottery e-mail fraud](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#Green_card_lottery_e-mail_fraud) - [3\.5 Inadmissibility Based on Political Affiliation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#Inadmissibility_Based_on_Political_Affiliation) - [4 Rights and responsibilities of a lawful permanent resident](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#Rights_and_responsibilities_of_a_lawful_permanent_resident) Toggle Rights and responsibilities of a lawful permanent resident subsection - [4\.1 Rights](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#Rights) - [4\.2 Responsibilities](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#Responsibilities) - [5 Conditional permanent residents](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#Conditional_permanent_residents) Toggle Conditional permanent residents subsection - [5\.1 Differences between permanent residents and conditional permanent residents](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#Differences_between_permanent_residents_and_conditional_permanent_residents) - [6 Abandonment or loss of permanent residence status](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#Abandonment_or_loss_of_permanent_residence_status) Toggle Abandonment or loss of permanent residence status subsection - [6\.1 Tax costs of green card relinquishment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#Tax_costs_of_green_card_relinquishment) - [7 Reading a permanent resident card](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#Reading_a_permanent_resident_card) - [8 Visa-free travel for U.S. permanent residents](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#Visa-free_travel_for_U.S._permanent_residents) - [9 Suspension of the Diversity Visa Program](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#Suspension_of_the_Diversity_Visa_Program) - [10 See also](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#See_also) - [11 References](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#References) - [12 External links](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#External_links) Toggle the table of contents # Green card 38 languages - [العربية](https://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%A9_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AE%D8%B6%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A1 "البطاقة الخضراء – Arabic") - [الدارجة](https://ary.wikipedia.org/wiki/%DA%AD%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%86_%D9%83%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AF "ڭرين كارد – Moroccan Arabic") - [Azərbaycanca](https://az.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qrin-kart "Qrin-kart – Azerbaijani") - [Беларуская (тарашкевіца)](https://be-tarask.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greencard "Greencard – Belarusian (Taraškievica orthography)") - [Беларуская](https://be.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card "Green card – Belarusian") - [Български](https://bg.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%97%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B0_%D0%BA%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%82%D0%B0 "Зелена карта – Bulgarian") - [বাংলা](https://bn.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A8_%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A1 "গ্রিন কার্ড – Bangla") - [Čeština](https://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zelen%C3%A1_karta_\(povolen%C3%AD_k_pobytu\) "Zelená karta (povolení k pobytu) – Czech") - [Dansk](https://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Card_\(USA\) "Green Card (USA) – Danish") - [Deutsch](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Permanent_Resident_Card "United States Permanent Resident Card – German") - [Español](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Card "Green Card – Spanish") - [Euskara](https://eu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Card "Green Card – Basque") - [فارسی](https://fa.wikipedia.org/wiki/%DA%AF%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%86_%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA "گرین کارت – Persian") - [Suomi](https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card_\(oleskelulupa\) "Green card (oleskelulupa) – Finnish") - [Français](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carte_de_r%C3%A9sident_permanent_aux_%C3%89tats-Unis "Carte de résident permanent aux États-Unis – French") - [עברית](https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%92%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9F_%D7%A7%D7%90%D7%A8%D7%93 "גרין קארד – Hebrew") - [Հայերեն](https://hy.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D4%B3%D6%80%D5%AB%D5%B6_%D6%84%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%BF "Գրին քարտ – Armenian") - [Bahasa Indonesia](https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kartu_hijau_\(Amerika_Serikat\) "Kartu hijau (Amerika Serikat) – Indonesian") - [Italiano](https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Card "Green Card – Italian") - [Қазақша](https://kk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%93%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%BD-%D0%BA%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%82%D0%B0 "Грин-карта – Kazakh") - [한국어](https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EB%AF%B8%EA%B5%AD%EC%9D%98_%EC%98%81%EC%A3%BC%EA%B6%8C "미국의 영주권 – Korean") - [മലയാളം](https://ml.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B4%AA%E0%B5%86%E0%B5%BC%E0%B4%AE%E0%B4%A8%E0%B4%A8%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%B1%E0%B5%8D_%E0%B4%B1%E0%B5%86%E0%B4%B8%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%A1%E0%B5%BB%E0%B4%B8%E0%B5%8D_\(%E0%B4%85%E0%B4%AE%E0%B5%87%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%BB_%E0%B4%90%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AF%E0%B4%A8%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%9F%E0%B5%81%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%BE\) "പെർമനന്റ് റെസിഡൻസ് (അമേരിക്കൻ ഐക്യനാടുകൾ) – Malayalam") - [मराठी](https://mr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A8_%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1 "ग्रीन कार्ड – Marathi") - [Nederlands](https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Card "Green Card – Dutch") - [Polski](https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karta_Sta%C5%82ego_Pobytu_Stan%C3%B3w_Zjednoczonych "Karta Stałego Pobytu Stanów Zjednoczonych – Polish") - [Português](https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card "Green card – Portuguese") - [Русский](https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%93%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%BD-%D0%BA%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%82%D0%B0 "Грин-карта – Russian") - [Саха тыла](https://sah.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9E%D1%82_%D0%BA%D2%AF%D3%A9%D1%85_%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%82%D0%B0 "От күөх каарта – Yakut") - [Simple English](https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card "Green card – Simple English") - [Slovenčina](https://sk.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Card "Green Card – Slovak") - [Тоҷикӣ](https://tg.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9A%D0%BE%D1%80%D1%82%D0%B8_%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B7 "Корти сабз – Tajik") - [ไทย](https://th.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B8%9C%E0%B8%B9%E0%B9%89%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%82%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%96%E0%B8%B4%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%B5%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%B9%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%96%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%A3_\(%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%90\) "ผู้เข้ามามีถิ่นที่อยู่ถาวร (สหรัฐ) – Thai") - [Türkçe](https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ye%C5%9Fil_Kart "Yeşil Kart – Turkish") - [Татарча / tatarça](https://tt.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%93%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%BD-%D0%BA%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%82%D0%B0 "Грин-карта – Tatar") - [Українська](https://uk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%97%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B0_%D0%BA%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%82%D0%BA%D0%B0 "Зелена картка – Ukrainian") - [Oʻzbekcha / ўзбекча](https://uz.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grin-karta "Grin-karta – Uzbek") - [Tiếng Việt](https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Th%E1%BA%BB_th%C6%B0%E1%BB%9Dng_tr%C3%BA_nh%C3%A2n_Hoa_K%E1%BB%B3 "Thẻ thường trú nhân Hoa Kỳ – Vietnamese") - [中文](https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%BB%BF%E5%8D%A1 "绿卡 – Chinese") [Edit links](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Special:EntityPage/Q6676995#sitelinks-wikipedia "Edit interlanguage links") - [Article](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card "View the content page [c]") - [Talk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Green_card "Discuss improvements to the content page [t]") English - [Read](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card) - [Edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit "Edit this page [e]") - [View history](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=history "Past revisions of this page [h]") Tools Tools move to sidebar hide Actions - [Read](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card) - [Edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit "Edit this page [e]") - [View history](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=history) General - [What links here](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:WhatLinksHere/Green_card "List of all English Wikipedia pages containing links to this page [j]") - [Related changes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:RecentChangesLinked/Green_card "Recent changes in pages linked from this page [k]") - [Upload file](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:File_Upload_Wizard "Upload files [u]") - [Permanent link](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&oldid=1343094139 "Permanent link to this revision of this page") - [Page information](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=info "More information about this page") - [Cite this page](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:CiteThisPage&page=Green_card&id=1343094139&wpFormIdentifier=titleform "Information on how to cite this page") - [Get shortened URL](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:UrlShortener&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FGreen_card) Print/export - [Download as PDF](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:DownloadAsPdf&page=Green_card&action=show-download-screen "Download this page as a PDF file") - [Printable version](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&printable=yes "Printable version of this page [p]") In other projects - [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Green_Cards_\(United_States\)) - [Wikidata item](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Special:EntityPage/Q6676995 "Structured data on this page hosted by Wikidata [g]") Appearance move to sidebar hide From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Lawful permanent residency in the United States For other uses, see [Green card (disambiguation)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card_\(disambiguation\) "Green card (disambiguation)"). | United States permanent resident card | | |---|---| | [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/2023_green_card_front.jpg/250px-2023_green_card_front.jpg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:2023_green_card_front.jpg) | | | [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b6/2023_green_card_back.jpg/250px-2023_green_card_back.jpg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:2023_green_card_back.jpg)Sample of a Permanent Resident Card (often called a "green card") of the United States (2023) | | | Type | [Personal identification document](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identity_document "Identity document") | | Issued by | ![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e2/Flag_of_the_United_States_%28Pantone%29.svg/40px-Flag_of_the_United_States_%28Pantone%29.svg.png) [United States Citizenship and Immigration Services](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Citizenship_and_Immigration_Services "United States Citizenship and Immigration Services") | | Purpose | [Identification](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identity_document "Identity document") | | Expiration | 10 years (standard) 2 years (conditional) | | United States citizenship and immigration | |---| | [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a4/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg/60px-Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_the_United_States.svg) | | Immigration | | [Immigration to the United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_to_the_United_States "Immigration to the United States") [Emigration from the United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emigration_from_the_United_States "Emigration from the United States") [Immigration policy of the United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_policy_of_the_United_States "Immigration policy of the United States") [Effects of immigration to the United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_of_immigration_to_the_United_States "Effects of immigration to the United States") [Permanent Residency (Green Card)]() [Refugees and asylum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asylum_in_the_United_States "Asylum in the United States") [Diversity Immigrant Visa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity_Immigrant_Visa "Diversity Immigrant Visa") [Illegal immigrants](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegal_immigration_to_the_United_States "Illegal immigration to the United States") [Deportation of Americans from the United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deportation_of_Americans_from_the_United_States "Deportation of Americans from the United States") | | Citizenship | | [Oath of Allegiance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oath_of_Allegiance_\(United_States\) "Oath of Allegiance (United States)") [Birthright citizenship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birthright_citizenship_in_the_United_States "Birthright citizenship in the United States") [U.S. citizens / nationals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizenship_of_the_United_States "Citizenship of the United States") [Citizenship test](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Civics_Test "American Civics Test") [Passports](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_passport "United States passport") ([cards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_passport_card "United States passport card")) [Relinquishment of nationality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relinquishment_of_United_States_nationality "Relinquishment of United States nationality") [Honorary citizenship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honorary_citizenship_of_the_United_States "Honorary citizenship of the United States") | | Agencies | | [USCIS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Citizenship_and_Immigration_Services "United States Citizenship and Immigration Services") [ICE](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Immigration_and_Customs_Enforcement "United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement") [CBP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Customs_and_Border_Protection "U.S. Customs and Border Protection") [USBP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Border_Patrol "U.S. Border Patrol") | | Legislation | | [United States nationality law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_nationality_law "United States nationality law") | | History | | [Colonial nationality law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationality_law_in_the_American_Colonies "Nationality law in the American Colonies") [Naturalization Act of 1790](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturalization_Act_of_1790 "Naturalization Act of 1790") [Civil Rights Act of 1866](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Rights_Act_of_1866 "Civil Rights Act of 1866") *[United States v. Wong Kim Ark](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Wong_Kim_Ark "United States v. Wong Kim Ark")* [Indian Citizenship Act](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Citizenship_Act "Indian Citizenship Act") [Nationality Act of 1940](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationality_Act_of_1940 "Nationality Act of 1940") | | Relevant legislation | | [Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_and_Nationality_Act_of_1952 "Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952") / [1965](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_and_Nationality_Act_of_1965 "Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965") [Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_Reform_and_Control_Act_of_1986 "Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986") [Immigration Act of 1990](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_Act_of_1990 "Immigration Act of 1990") [Child Citizenship Act of 2000](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_Citizenship_Act_of_2000 "Child Citizenship Act of 2000") | | ![flag](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a4/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg/20px-Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png) [United States portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:United_States "Portal:United States") | | [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:US_citizenship_and_immigration "Template:US citizenship and immigration") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:US_citizenship_and_immigration "Template talk:US citizenship and immigration") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:US_citizenship_and_immigration "Special:EditPage/Template:US citizenship and immigration") | A **green card**, known officially as a **permanent resident card**, is an [identity document](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identity_document "Identity document") which shows that a person has [permanent residency](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permanent_residency "Permanent residency") in the [United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States "United States").[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-section_1101\(a\)\(20\)-1)[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-LPR-2) Green card holders are formally known as **lawful permanent residents** (**LPRs**). As of 2024[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit), there are an estimated 12.8 million green card holders, of whom almost 9 million are eligible to become [United States citizens](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizenship_of_the_United_States "Citizenship of the United States").[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-3) Approximately 18,700 of them serve in the [U.S. Armed Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Armed_Forces "United States Armed Forces").[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-Dowd-4) Green card holders are statutorily entitled to apply for U.S. citizenship after showing by a [preponderance of the evidence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burden_of_proof_\(law\)#Preponderance_of_the_evidence "Burden of proof (law)") that they, among other things, have continuously resided in the United States for one to five years and are persons of [good moral character](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_moral_character "Good moral character").[\[5\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-naturalization-5)[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-Al-Sharif_v._USCIS-6) Those who are younger than 18 years old automatically receive U.S. citizenship if they have at least one U.S. citizen parent.[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-American-7)[\[8\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-8) The card is known as a "green card" because of its historical [greenish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shades_of_green "Shades of green") color.[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-9)[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-10) It was formerly called a "certificate of alien registration", "Resident Alien Card" or an "alien registration receipt card".[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-Campos_v._United_States-11) A holder of a green card must carry it with them at all times.[\[12\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-12) Green card [applications](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#Application_process) are decided by the [United States Citizenship and Immigration Services](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Citizenship_and_Immigration_Services "United States Citizenship and Immigration Services") (USCIS), but in some cases an [immigration judge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_Judge_\(United_States\) "Immigration Judge (United States)") or a member of the [Board of Immigration Appeals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Board_of_Immigration_Appeals "Board of Immigration Appeals") (BIA), acting on behalf of the [U.S. attorney general](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Attorney_General "United States Attorney General"), may grant [permanent residency](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permanent_residency "Permanent residency") in the course of [removal proceedings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Removal_proceedings "Removal proceedings"). Any authorized [federal judge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_federal_judge "United States federal judge") may do the same by signing and issuing an [injunction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Injunction "Injunction").[\[13\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-13) Immigrant workers who would like to obtain a green card can apply using form I-140.[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-14)\[*[verification needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability "Wikipedia:Verifiability")*\] An LPR could become "removable" from the United States after suffering a criminal [conviction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conviction "Conviction"),[\[15\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-removable-15) especially if it involved a [particularly serious crime](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Particularly_serious_crime "Particularly serious crime") or an [aggravated felony](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aggravated_felony "Aggravated felony") "for which the term of [imprisonment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imprisonment "Imprisonment") was completed within the previous 15 years".[\[16\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-aggravated_felony-16)\[*[verification needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability "Wikipedia:Verifiability")*\] ## History \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=1 "Edit section: History")\] [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4d/OriginalGreenCard.jpg/250px-OriginalGreenCard.jpg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:OriginalGreenCard.jpg) A 1949 "alien registration receipt card" of a female [immigrant](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/immigrant#English "wikt:immigrant"), which was issued by the now-abolished [Immigration and Naturalization Service](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_and_Naturalization_Service "Immigration and Naturalization Service") (INS) under the [Nationality Act of 1940](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationality_Act_of_1940 "Nationality Act of 1940") The [Immigration and Naturalization Service](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_and_Naturalization_Service "Immigration and Naturalization Service") was formed as part of the Department of Labor in 1933, and in 1940 was moved under the Department of Justice along with the [Nationality Act of 1940](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationality_Act_of_1940 "Nationality Act of 1940"). During the 1940s the predecessor to the "Permanent Resident" card was the "Alien Registration Receipt Card" which on the back would indicate "Perm.Res" in accordance with the [Immigration Act of 1924](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_Act_of_1924 "Immigration Act of 1924"). The INA, which was enacted by the [U.S. Congress](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Congress "United States Congress") in 1952, states that "\[t\]he term '[alien](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_\(law\)#United_States "Alien (law)")' means any person, not a [citizen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizenship_of_the_United_States "Citizenship of the United States") or [national of the United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_of_the_United_States "National of the United States")."[\[17\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-alien-17) ### Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=2 "Edit section: Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act")\] Further information: [Refugee Act of 1980](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refugee_Act_of_1980 "Refugee Act of 1980"), [deportation of Americans from the United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deportation_of_Americans_from_the_United_States "Deportation of Americans from the United States"), [Deportation of Afghan immigrants from the United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deportation_of_Afghan_immigrants_from_the_United_States "Deportation of Afghan immigrants from the United States"), and [Deportation of Cambodian immigrants from the United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deportation_of_Cambodian_immigrants_from_the_United_States "Deportation of Cambodian immigrants from the United States") On September 30, 1996, President Clinton signed into law the [Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegal_Immigration_Reform_and_Immigrant_Responsibility_Act_of_1996 "Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996") (IIRIRA).[\[18\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-Othi_v._Holder-18) [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b1/Lennon%27s_Green_Card.jpg/250px-Lennon%27s_Green_Card.jpg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lennon%27s_Green_Card.jpg) A 1976 card issued by the INS to [John Lennon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lennon "John Lennon"), stating the following: "This is to certify that \[Lennon\] has been duly registered according to [law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_and_Nationality_Act "Immigration and Nationality Act") and was admitted to the United States as an immigrant." [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3a/US_Permanent_Resident_Card_2010-05-11.JPG/250px-US_Permanent_Resident_Card_2010-05-11.JPG)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:US_Permanent_Resident_Card_2010-05-11.JPG) Permanent resident card (2010) An LPR can file an [application for naturalization](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Form_N-400 "Form N-400") after five years of continuous residency in the United States.[\[5\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-naturalization-5)[\[19\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-19) This period may be shortened to three years if married to a U.S. citizen[\[20\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-20) or one year during service with the U.S. armed forces.[\[21\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-21) An LPR may submit their applications for naturalization as early as 90 days before meeting the residency requirement. In addition to continuous residency, the applicants must demonstrate [good moral character](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_moral_character "Good moral character"), pass both an English test and a civics test, and demonstrate attachment to the [U.S. Constitution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_the_United_States "Constitution of the United States"). In the summer of 2018, a new program was initiated to help LPRs prepare themselves for naturalization.[\[22\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-22)[\[23\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-auto-23) Like U.S. citizens, LPRs can sponsor certain family members to immigrate to the United States, but the number of family members of LPRs who can immigrate is limited by an annual cap, and there is a years-long backlog.[\[24\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-24)[\[25\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-25)[\[26\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-26) ### 2019 "public charge" restrictions on awarding Green cards \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=3 "Edit section: 2019 \"public charge\" restrictions on awarding Green cards")\] On August 12, 2019, [U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Citizenship_and_Immigration_Services "United States Citizenship and Immigration Services") (USCIS) formally announced a new rule restricting poorer immigrants from attaining LPR status. Under the rule, which was slated to take effect on October 15, 2019, legal immigrants who have received public benefits such as [Supplemental Security Income](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supplemental_Security_Income "Supplemental Security Income"), [Temporary Assistance for Needy Families](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temporary_Assistance_for_Needy_Families "Temporary Assistance for Needy Families"), the [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supplemental_Nutrition_Assistance_Program "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program"), [Medicaid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicaid "Medicaid"), and public housing assistance for more than a total of twelve months may be classified as a "public charge" ineligible for permanent residency.[\[27\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-:10-27) Immigration official may investigate the health, income, wealth, education, and family of applicants for permanent residency to predict whether they will become a public charge in the future.[\[28\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-:11-28) The term "public charge" appears in the Immigration and Nationality Act, but is not defined by the law. Refugees, asylum seekers, pregnant women, children, and family members of those serving in the Armed Forces are excluded from the restrictions.[\[27\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-:10-27) The Trump administration estimated that 58% of households headed by non-citizens use a public welfare program and half use Medicaid.[\[29\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-29) The Migration Policy Institute estimated that half of all Green Card applicants would be excluded by the rule.[\[27\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-:10-27) [Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Cuccinelli "Ken Cuccinelli"), the former acting director of USCIS, stated the policy will "have the long-term benefit of protecting taxpayers by ensuring people who are immigrating to this country don't become public burdens, that they can stand on their own two feet, as immigrants in years past have done."[\[27\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-:10-27) The National Immigration Law Center stated that the rule "will have a dire humanitarian impact, forcing some families to forgo critical lifesaving health care and nutrition. The damage will be felt for decades to come."[\[28\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-:11-28) The law center announced it would sue to prevent the policy from taking effect.[\[27\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-:10-27) During his campaign for [President of the United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_the_United_States "President of the United States"), [Joe Biden](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Biden "Joe Biden") criticized the Public Charge rule and pledged to revoke it.[\[30\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-30) On February 2, 2021, President Biden signed an executive order that the [U.S. Department of Homeland Security](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Department_of_Homeland_Security "U.S. Department of Homeland Security") review the policy, amongst others.[\[31\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-31) In 2025, president Donald Trump began deportation proceedings against permanent residents [Mahmoud Khalil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detention_of_Mahmoud_Khalil "Detention of Mahmoud Khalil"), [Yunseo Chung](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yunseo_Chung "Yunseo Chung") and [Mohsen Mahdawi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detention_of_Mohsen_Mahdawi "Detention of Mohsen Mahdawi") related to political activism.[\[32\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-32) ## Types of immigration \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=4 "Edit section: Types of immigration")\] Further information: [Immigration to the United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_to_the_United_States "Immigration to the United States") A foreign national may obtain [permanent residency](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permanent_residency "Permanent residency") in the United States primarily through the following:[\[33\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-33)[\[34\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-34)[\[23\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-auto-23) - Sponsorship by a family member - Employment (immigrant workers and investors) - Apply as a special immigrant (religious worker) - Apply as human trafficking and crime victims - Apply as victims of abuse - Other categories (e.g. Diversity Visa) - Through registry (For certain people who have resided continuously in the U.S. since before Jan. 1, 1972) ### Immigration eligibility and quotas \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=5 "Edit section: Immigration eligibility and quotas")\] | Category | Eligibility | Annual quotac | Immigrant visa backlog[\[35\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-visabulletin-35) | |---|---|---|---| | **Family-sponsored** | | | | | IR | Immediate relative (spouse, children under 21 years of age, and parents) of U.S. citizens (U.S. citizens must be at least 21 years of age in order to sponsor their parents.) | No numerical limita | | | F1 | Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age or older) of U.S. citizens | 23,400 | 7 – 20 yearsb | | F2A | Spouse and minor children (under 21 years of age) of lawful permanent residents | 87,934 | 3 – 4 yearsb | | F2B | Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age or older) of permanent residents | 26,266[\[36\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-36) | 8 – 19 yearsb | | F3 | Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens | 23,400 | 13 – 24 yearsb | | F4 | Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens | 65,000 | 17 – 24 yearsb | | **Employment-based**c | | | | | [EB-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EB-1_visa "EB-1 visa") | Priority workers. There are three sub-groups: 1. Foreign nationals with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics; 2. Foreign nationals that are outstanding professors or researchers with at least three years' experience in teaching or research and who are recognized internationally; 3. Foreign nationals that are managers and executives subject to international transfer to the United States. | 41,455[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-visa-bulletin-2012-sep-37) | currently available – 3 yearsb | | [EB-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EB-2_visa "EB-2 visa") | Professionals holding advanced degrees (Ph.D., master's degree, or at least five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience) or persons of exceptional ability in sciences, arts, or business | 41,455[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-visa-bulletin-2012-sep-37) | 1 year – 12 yearsb | | [EB-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EB-3_visa "EB-3 visa") | Skilled workers, professionals, and other workers | 41,455[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-visa-bulletin-2012-sep-37) | 2 years – 12 yearsb | | EB-4 | Certain special immigrants: ministers, religious workers, current or former U.S. government workers, etc. | 10,291[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-visa-bulletin-2012-sep-37) | 4 yearsb | | [EB-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EB-5_visa "EB-5 visa") | Investors, for investing either \$900,000 in rural projects creating over 10 American jobs or \$1.8 million[\[38\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-38) in other developments[\[39\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-39) | 10,291[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-visa-bulletin-2012-sep-37) | currently available – 11 years (China-born individuals)b | | **[Diversity immigrant (DV)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity_Immigrant_Visa "Diversity Immigrant Visa")** | 55,000b | | | | **Refugee (includes asylum seekers)** | 125,000 | | | | a 300,000–500,000 immediate relatives admitted annually. **b No more than 7 percent of the visas may be issued to natives of any one country. Currently, individuals from China (mainland), India, Mexico and the Philippines are subject to per-country quotas in most of the categories, and the waiting time may take longer (up to 11 years).[\[35\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-visabulletin-35)[\[40\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-40)** c Spouses and minor children (under 21) may apply for immigrant visa adjudication with their spouse or parent. The quotas include not only the principal applicants but also their derivatives. | | | | ## Application process \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=6 "Edit section: Application process")\] [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2a/USANewImmigrantGuide.jpg/250px-USANewImmigrantGuide.jpg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:USANewImmigrantGuide.jpg) A welcome guide USCIS sends to a new immigrant along with their green card after immigration approval Applications for permanent resident cards (green cards) were decided by the [Immigration and Naturalization Service](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_and_Naturalization_Service "Immigration and Naturalization Service") (INS) until 2003 when the INS was abolished and replaced by the current [Department of Homeland Security](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_Homeland_Security "United States Department of Homeland Security") (DHS).[\[41\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-41) The whole process may take several years, depending on the type of immigrant category and the [country of chargeability](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_state_of_chargeability "Foreign state of chargeability"). An immigrant usually has to go through a three-step process to get permanent residency:[\[42\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-:0-42) 1. **Immigrant petition** ([Form I-140](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Form_I-140 "Form I-140") or [Form I-130](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Form_I-130 "Form I-130")) – in the first step, USCIS approves the immigrant petition by a qualifying relative, an employer, or in rare cases, such as with an investor visa, the applicant themself. If a sibling is applying, they must have the same parents as the applicant. 2. **Immigrant visa availability** – in the second step, unless the applicant is an "immediate relative", an immigrant visa number through the National Visa Center (NVC)[\[43\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-43) of the [United States Department of State](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_State "United States Department of State") (DOS) must be available. A visa number might not be immediately available even if the USCIS approves the petition, because the number of immigrant visa numbers is limited every year by quotas set in the [Immigration and Nationality Act](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_and_Nationality_Act_of_1965 "Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965") (INA). There are also certain additional limitations by [country of chargeability](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Country_of_chargeability "Country of chargeability"). Thus, most immigrants will be placed on lengthy waiting lists. Those immigrants who are immediate relatives of a U.S. citizen (spouses and children under 21 years of age, and parents of a U.S. citizen who is 21 years of age or older) are not subject to these quotas and may proceed to the next step immediately, since they qualify for the IR immigrant category.[\[42\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-:0-42) 3. **Immigrant visa adjudication** – in the third step, when an immigrant visa number becomes available, the applicant must either apply with USCIS to adjust their current status to permanent resident status or apply with the DOS for an immigrant visa at the nearest U.S. consulate before being allowed to come to the United States. - **[Adjustment of status](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adjustment_of_status "Adjustment of status") (AOS)** – Adjustment of status is for when the immigrant is in the United States and entered the U.S. legally. Except for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, the immigrant must also be in legal status at the time of applying for adjustment of status. For immediate relatives and other relative categories whose visa numbers are current, adjustment of status can be filed for at the same time with the petition (step 1 above). Adjustment of status is submitted to USCIS via [form I-485](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adjustment_of_status "Adjustment of status"), *Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status*.[\[44\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-44) The USCIS conducts a series of background checks, including fingerprinting for FBI criminal background check and name checks, and makes a decision on the application. Once the adjustment of status application is accepted, the alien is allowed to stay in the United States even if the original period of authorized stay on the [Form I-94](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Form_I-94 "Form I-94") is expired, but they are generally not allowed to leave the country until the application is approved, or the application will be abandoned. If the alien has to leave the United States during this time, they can apply for travel documents at the USCIS with [form I-131](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advance_parole "Advance parole"), also called *Advance parole*.[\[45\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-45) If there is a potential risk that the applicant's work permit (visa) will expire or become invalid, such as when employees are laid off by the employer and visa sponsor, or the applicant wants to start working in the United States, while they are waiting for the decision about their application to change status, they can file [form I-765](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Employment_authorization_document "Employment authorization document"), to get *[Employment Authorization Documents](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Employment_authorization_document "Employment authorization document")* (also called *EAD*) and be able to continue or start working legally in the United States.[\[46\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-46)[\[47\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-47) In some cases, the applicant will be interviewed at a USCIS office, especially if it is a marriage-based adjustment from a [K-1 visa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-1_visa "K-1 visa"), in which case both spouses (the US citizen and the applicant) will be interviewed by the USCIS. If the application is approved, the alien becomes an LPR, and the actual green card is mailed to the alien's last known mailing address.[\[42\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-:0-42) - **Consular processing** – This is the process if the immigrant is outside the United States, or is ineligible for AOS. It still requires the immigrant visa petition to be first completed and approved. The applicant may make an appointment at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country, where a consular officer adjudicates the case. If the case is approved, an immigrant visa is issued by the U.S. embassy or consulate. The visa entitles the holder to travel to the United States as an immigrant. At the port of entry, the immigrant visa holder immediately becomes a permanent resident, and is processed for a permanent resident card and receives an I-551 stamp in their passport. The permanent resident card is mailed to their U.S. address within 120 days. An applicant in the United States can obtain two permits while the case is pending after a certain stage is passed in green card processing (filing of I-485). - The first is a temporary work permit known as the [Employment Authorization Document](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Employment_Authorization_Document "Employment Authorization Document") (EAD), which allows the alien to take employment in the United States. - The second is a temporary travel document, [advance parole](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advance_parole "Advance parole"), which allows the alien to re-enter the United States. Both permits confer benefits that are independent of any existing status granted to the alien. For example, the alien might already have permission to work in the United States under an [H-1B visa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H-1B_visa "H-1B visa"). ### Application process for family-sponsored visa \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=7 "Edit section: Application process for family-sponsored visa")\] See also: [Form I-130](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Form_I-130 "Form I-130") U.S. citizens may sponsor for permanent residence in the United States the following relatives: 1. Spouses, and unmarried children under the age of 21; 2. Parents (once the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old); 3. Unmarried children over the age of 21 (called "sons and daughters"); 4. Married sons and daughters; 5. Brothers and sisters (once the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old). U.S. nationals and permanent residents may sponsor for permanent residence in the United States the following relatives: 1. Spouses, and unmarried children under the age of 21; 2. Unmarried children over the age of 21 (called "sons and daughters"); The Department of State's "Visa Bulletin", issued every month, gives the priority date for those petition beneficiaries currently entitled to apply for immigrant status through immigrant visas or adjustment of status.[\[35\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-visabulletin-35) There is no annual quota for the spouses, unmarried children, and parents of U.S. citizens, so there is no waiting period for these applicants—just the required processing time. However, all other family-based categories have significant backlogs, even with a U.S. citizen petitioner. Regardless of whether the family member being sponsored is located in the United States (and therefore likely to be applying for adjustment of status) or outside the United States (in which case the immigrant visa is the likely option), the process begins with the filing of an I-130 Petition for Alien Relative. The form and instructions can be found on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.[\[48\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-48) Required later in the process will be additional biographic data regarding the beneficiary (the person being sponsored) and a medical examination. Additional documents, such as police certificates, may be required depending on whether immigrant visa (consular processing) or adjustment of status is being utilized.[\[49\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-49) All petitioners must supply the I-864 Affidavit of Support.[\[50\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-50) ### Application process for undocumented immigrants through registry provision \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=8 "Edit section: Application process for undocumented immigrants through registry provision")\] See also: [Form I-140](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Form_I-140 "Form I-140") Moreover, applicants who are in the United States unlawfully may be eligible to receive a green card under a sole exception. For an undocumented immigrant to be granted permanent residency they must abide by the registry date and eligibility criteria. The registry provision date was first developed in 1929 with the intention to aid in the growing number of undocumented immigrants.[\[51\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-51) Essentially, only immigrants who entered the United States before a certain date (registry date) qualify to receive a green card. Other parameters include continued stay since entering the country and good moral character. [Congress](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Congress "United States Congress") advanced the registry date a total of four times after being created in 1929. First set to only grant residency to individuals who entered the country before or on June 3, 1921, the date was then moved to July 1, 1924, further to July 1, 1940, once more to June 30, 1948, and finally to January 1, 1972.[\[52\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-52) The last advancement date comprised the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) along with other regularization provisions which included penalizing institutions that knowingly employed undocumented aliens.[\[53\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-53) This was done through a set of congressional amendments that culminated in 1958 Act, where the requirement for non-citizens to be eligible only if they are not subject to deportation was removed.[\[54\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-54) Since then the registry date has not been advanced despite the number of immigrants increasing by 10 million and a total of 385 individuals have been granted a green card since the last registry update in 1986.[\[55\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-55) Currently the provision date only excludes non-citizens that are inadmissible to the United States on criminal or national-security grounds. The updated and current eligibility requirements for registry are as follows: - You entered the United States prior to Jan. 1, 1972 - You have resided in the United States continuously since you entered - You are a person of good moral character - You are not ineligible for naturalization (citizenship) - You are not removable (deportable) under Section 237(a)(4)(B) of the [Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_and_Nationality_Act_of_1965 "Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965"). \* You are not inadmissible under Section 212(a)(3)(E) of the INA or as a criminal, procurer, other immoral person, subversive, violator of the narcotics laws or noncitizen smuggler[\[56\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-56) #### Green-card holders and families \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=9 "Edit section: Green-card holders and families")\] | | | |---|---| | [![icon](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/60px-Question_book-new.svg.png)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Question_book-new.svg) | This section **does not [cite](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_sources "Wikipedia:Citing sources") any [sources](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability "Wikipedia:Verifiability")**. Please help [improve this section](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Green_card "Special:EditPage/Green card") by [adding citations to reliable sources](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Referencing_for_beginners "Help:Referencing for beginners"). Unsourced material may be challenged and [removed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability#Burden_of_evidence "Wikipedia:Verifiability"). *(October 2010)* *([Learn how and when to remove this message](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Maintenance_template_removal "Help:Maintenance template removal"))* | Green-card holders married to non-U.S. citizens are able to legally bring their spouses and minor children to join them in the US,[\[57\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-57) but must wait for their priority date to become current. The foreign spouse of a green-card holder must wait for approval of an "immigrant visa" from the State Department before entering the United States. Due to numerical limitation on the number of these visas, the wait time for approval may be months or years. In the interim, the spouse cannot be legally present in the United States, unless they secure a visa by some other means. Green-card holders may petition for permanent residency for their spouse and children.[\[58\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-58) U.S. green-card holders have experienced separation from their families, sometimes for years. A mechanism to unite families of green-card holders was created by the LIFE Act by the introduction of a "[V visa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_visa "V visa")", signed into law by [President Clinton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Clinton "Bill Clinton"). The law expired on December 31, 2000, and V visas are no longer available. Several bills have been introduced in Congress to reinstate V visas, but so far none have been successful. #### Improving the application process in obtaining a green card \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=10 "Edit section: Improving the application process in obtaining a green card")\] The most common challenges that USCIS faces in providing services in the green card process are: (1) the length of the application and approval process, and (2) the quotas of green cards granted. USCIS tries to shorten the time qualified applicants wait to receive permanent residence. ##### Challenges with processing time of application \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=11 "Edit section: Challenges with processing time of application")\] Under the current system, immediate family members (spouse, child, and dependent mother and father), have priority status for green cards and generally wait 6 months to a year to have their green card application approved. For non-immediate family members, the process may take up to 10 years.\[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")*\] Paperwork is processed on a first-come, first-served basis, so new applications may go untouched for several months. To address the issue of slow processing times, USCIS has made a policy allowing applicants to submit the I-130 and I-485 forms at the same time. This has reduced the processing time. Another delay in the process comes when applications have mistakes. In these cases papers are sent back to the applicant, further delaying the process. Currently the largest cause of long wait times is not processing time, but rather immigrant visa quotas set by Congress.[\[59\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-59) ##### Quota system challenges \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=12 "Edit section: Quota system challenges")\] Because of numerical quotas in many immigration categories, long wait times often prevent immigrants from receiving immigrant visas in a short time frame. The *Augusta Chronicle* in 2006 stated that an estimated two million people are on waiting lists in anticipation to become legal and permanent residents of the United States. Immigrants need visas to get off of these waiting lists, and Congress would need to change immigration law in order to accommodate them with legal status.\[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")*\] The number of green cards that can be granted to family-based applicants depends on what preference category they fall under. An unlimited number of immediate relatives can receive green cards because there is no quota for that category. Family members who fall under the other various preference categories have fixed quotas; however, the number of visas issued from each category may vary because unused visas from one category may roll over into another category.[\[60\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-60) ### Application process for employment-based visa \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=13 "Edit section: Application process for employment-based visa")\] Many immigrants opt for this route, which typically requires an employer to "sponsor" (i.e., to petition before USCIS) the immigrant (known as the *alien beneficiary*) through a presumed future job (in some special categories, the applicant may apply on their behalf without a sponsor). The three-step process outlined above is described here in more detail for employment-based immigration applications. After the process is complete, the alien is expected to take the certified job offered by the employer to substantiate their immigrant status, since the application ultimately rests on the alien's employment with that company in that particular position. As of Q2 in FY2025, standard processing to get an employer-sponsored green card took an average of 1,256 days—roughly 3.5 years—an increase of 18 months since 2016, and the longest time on record.[\[61\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-61) 1. **Immigrant petition** – the first step includes the pre-requisite [Permanent Labor Certification](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permanent_Labor_Certification "Permanent Labor Certification") upon which the actual petition will reside. - **Permanent Labor Certification** – the employer must legally prove that it has a need to hire an alien for a specific position and that there is no minimally qualified U.S. citizen or LPR available to fill that position, hence the reason for hiring the alien. Some of the requirements to prove this situation include: proof of advertising for the specific position; skill requirements particular to the job; verification of the prevailing wage for a position; and the employer's ability to pay. This is currently done through an electronic system known as [PERM](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permanent_Labor_Certification "Permanent Labor Certification").[\[62\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-62) The date when the Permanent Labor Certification application is filed becomes the applicant's *[priority date](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priority_date "Priority date")*. In some cases, for highly skilled foreign nationals (EB1 and EB2 *National Interest Waiver*, e.g. researchers, athletes, artists or business executives) and "Schedule A" labor[\[63\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-63) (nurses and physical therapists), this step is waived. This step is processed by the [United States Department of Labor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_Labor "United States Department of Labor") (DOL). The Permanent Labor Certification is valid for 6 months from the time it is approved. - **Immigrant petition** – the employer applies on the alien's behalf to obtain a visa number. The application is form I-140, *Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers*,[\[64\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-64) and it is processed by the USCIS. There are several EB (*employment-based*) immigrant categories (i.e., EB1-EA, EB2-NIW, EB5)[\[65\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-65) under which the alien may apply, with progressively stricter requirements, but often shorter waiting times. Many of the applications are processed under the EB3 category.[\[66\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-66) Currently, this process takes up to 6 months. Many of the EB categories allow expedited processing of this stage, known as "premium processing". 2. **Immigrant visa availability**. When the immigrant petition is approved by the USCIS, the petition is forwarded to the NVC for visa allocation. Currently this step centers around the [priority date](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priority_date "Priority date") concept. - **Priority date** – the visa becomes available when the applicant's *[priority date](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priority_date "Priority date")* is earlier than the *cutoff date* announced on the DOS's Visa Bulletin or when the immigrant visa category the applicant is assigned to is announced as "current". A "current" designation indicates that visa numbers are available to all applicants in the corresponding immigrant category. Petitions with priority dates earlier than the cutoff date are expected to have visas available, therefore those applicants are eligible for final adjudication. When the NVC determines that a visa number could be available for a particular immigrant petition, a visa is tentatively allocated to the applicant. The NVC will send a letter stating that the applicant may be eligible for adjustment of status, and requiring the applicant to choose either to adjust status with the USCIS directly, or apply at the U.S. consulate abroad. This waiting process determines when the applicant can expect the immigration case to be adjudicated. Due to quotas imposed on EB visa categories, there are more approved immigrant petitions than visas available under INA. High demand for visas has created a backlog of approved but unadjudicated cases. In addition, due to processing inefficiencies throughout DOS and USCIS systems, not all visas available under the quota system in a given year were allocated to applicants by the DOS. 3. **Immigrant visa adjudication**. When the NVC determines that an immigrant visa is available, the case can be adjudicated. If the alien is already in the US, that alien has a choice to finalize the green card process via adjustment of status in the U.S., or via consular processing abroad. If the alien is outside of the United States they can only apply for an immigrant visa at the U.S. consulate. The USCIS does not allow an alien to pursue consular processing and AOS simultaneously. Prior to filing the form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) it is required that the applicant have a *medical examination* performed by a USCIS-approved [civil surgeon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_surgeon "Civil surgeon"). The examination includes a blood test and specific immunizations, unless the applicant provides proof that the required immunizations were already done elsewhere. The civil surgeon hands the applicant a sealed envelope containing a completed form I-693, which must be included unopened with the I-485 application.[\[67\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-67) - **Adjustment of status (AOS)** – after the alien has a Permanent Labor Certification and has been provisionally allocated a visa number, the final step is to change their status to permanent residency. [Adjustment of status](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adjustment_of_status "Adjustment of status") is submitted to USCIS via form I-485, *Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status*. If an immigrant visa number is available, the USCIS will allow *"concurrent filing"*: it will accept forms I-140 and I-485 submitted in the same package or will accept form I-485 even before the approval of the I-140. - **Consular processing** – this is an alternative to AOS, but still requires the immigrant visa petition to be completed. Prior to 2005, this process was somewhat faster than applying for AOS, so was sometimes used to circumvent long backlogs (of over two years in some cases). However, due to recent efficiency improvements by the USCIS, it is not clear whether applying via consular processing is faster than the regular AOS process. Consular processing is also thought to be riskier since there is no or very little recourse for appeal if the officer denies the application. ### Green card lottery \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=14 "Edit section: Green card lottery")\] Main article: [Diversity Immigrant Visa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity_Immigrant_Visa "Diversity Immigrant Visa") Each year, up to 55,000 immigrant visas are made available through the Diversity Visa (DV) program, also known as the [Green Card Lottery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Card_Lottery "Green Card Lottery"), to people who were born in countries with low rates of [immigration to the United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_to_the_United_States "Immigration to the United States")[\[68\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-:1-68) (fewer than 50,000 immigrants in the past five years). Applicants can only qualify by [country of chargeability](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Country_of_chargeability "Country of chargeability"), not by citizenship.[\[68\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-:1-68) Anyone who is selected under this lottery will be given the opportunity to apply for permanent residence. They can also file for their spouse and any unmarried children under the age of 21. If permanent residence is granted, the winner (and their family, if applicable) receives an immigrant visa in their passport(s) that has to be "activated" within six months of issuance at any port of entry to the United States. If already in the U.S. adjustment of status may be pursued. The new immigrant receives a stamp on the visa as proof of lawful admittance to the United States, and the individual is now authorized to live and work permanently in the United States. Finally, the actual "green card" typically arrives by mail within a few months. In December 2025, the lottery was suspended.[\[69\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-69) #### Green card lottery scams \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=15 "Edit section: Green card lottery scams")\] There is a growing number[\[70\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-70) of fraudulent green card lottery [scams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confidence_trick "Confidence trick"), in which false agents take money from applicants by promising to submit application forms for them. Most agents are not working for the distribution service. Some claim that they can increase the chance of winning the lottery, when in fact, they may delay or not submit the application. Likewise, some claim to provide to winners free airline tickets or other benefits, such as submissions in future years or cash funds. There is no way to guarantee their claims, and there are numerous nefarious reasons for them not to fulfill their promises. Applicants are advised to use only official U.S. government websites, in which the [URL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/URL "URL") ends in [.gov](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.gov ".gov"). #### Green card lottery e-mail fraud \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=16 "Edit section: Green card lottery e-mail fraud")\] Other fraud perpetrators will e-mail potential victims posing as State Department or other government officials with requests to wire or transfer money online as part of a "processing fee". These fraudulent e-mails are designed to steal money from unsuspecting victims. The senders often use illegitimate e-mail addresses and logos designed to make them look more like official government correspondence. One easy way to tell that an email address is fraudulent is that it does not end with ".gov". One particularly common fraud email asks potential victims to wire money via [Western Union](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Union "Western Union") to an individual (the name varies) at the following address in the United Kingdom: 24 Grosvenor Square, London. These emails come from a variety of email addresses designed to impersonate the U.S. State Department. The USCIS blog has published information on this email scam and how to report fraudulent emails to the authorities.[\[71\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-71) The U.S. government has issued warnings about this type of fraud or similar business practices.[\[72\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-72)[\[73\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-73)[\[74\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-74) ### Inadmissibility Based on Political Affiliation \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=17 "Edit section: Inadmissibility Based on Political Affiliation")\] On October 2, 2020, the USCIS declared the inadmissibility based on belonging or affiliation to [Communist parties](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communist_party "Communist party") or any, unspecified, "totalitarian party". Membership or affiliation with such parties, whether US or foreign, would be incompatible with [the oath of allegiance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oath_of_Allegiance_\(United_States\) "Oath of Allegiance (United States)") to the naturalization of the United States of America, which includes a commitment to "support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States". Exceptions to the inadmissibility rule include circumstances where membership is: "Involuntary; Solely when under 16 years of age; By operation of law; or For purposes of obtaining employment, food rations, or other essentials of living and where necessary for such purposes."[\[75\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-75) The ban would affect current members of [Chinese Communist Party](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Communist_Party "Chinese Communist Party") and [Communist Youth League of China](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communist_Youth_League_of_China "Communist Youth League of China"), for example.[\[76\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-76) ## Rights and responsibilities of a lawful permanent resident \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=18 "Edit section: Rights and responsibilities of a lawful permanent resident")\] Further information: [United States person](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_person "United States person") Lawful permanent residents, also known as green card holders, have certain rights and responsibilities as highlighted by the [United States Citizenship and Immigration Services](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Citizenship_and_Immigration_Services "United States Citizenship and Immigration Services") and other federal agencies.[\[77\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-77) LPRs can secure many types of jobs just like U.S. citizens can. LPRs can register property under their names and live anywhere within the United States. They can similarly operate any type of business in the United States.[\[78\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-78) LPRs are also subject to similar obligations as U.S. citizens. For example, male LPRs between the ages of 18 and 25 are subject to registering in the [Selective Service System](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_Service_System "Selective Service System"). Like U.S. citizens, LPRs must pay [taxes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxation_in_the_United_States "Taxation in the United States") on their worldwide income (this includes filing annual U.S. income tax returns). LPRs are not permitted to vote in federal elections and they cannot be elected to federal office. They may [vote in certain local elections](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_of_foreigners_to_vote_in_the_United_States "Right of foreigners to vote in the United States"), and hold local and state offices (subject to state/city law and [Constitutionality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitutionality "Constitutionality")).[\[79\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-79) ### Rights \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=19 "Edit section: Rights")\] - Reside permanently in the United States provided they do not commit actions that would make them removable under the INA.[\[15\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-removable-15) - Join and serve in the [United States Armed Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Armed_Forces "United States Armed Forces"), including in many [law enforcement agencies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_enforcement_in_the_United_States "Law enforcement in the United States"). - Work anywhere in the United States (with the exception of federal jobs requiring [security clearances](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_clearance "Security clearance") and some companies under contract by the federal government).[\[80\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-80) - Be protected equally by the [law of the United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_the_United_States "Law of the United States"), their [State of residence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._state "U.S. state"), and local jurisdictions. - Travel freely outside the United States for up to one year as a tourist. - Petition for (or sponsor) certain family members to immigrate to the United States as lawful permanent residents. Such family members include spouse and unmarried children of any age.\[*[clarification needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarify "Wikipedia:Please clarify")*\] ### Responsibilities \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=20 "Edit section: Responsibilities")\] - Required to obey all laws of the United States, including state laws, and localities. - Required to file [income tax](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Income_tax_in_the_United_States "Income tax in the United States") returns and report income to the U.S. [Internal Revenue Service](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_Revenue_Service "Internal Revenue Service") (IRS) and state taxing authorities. - Register with the [Selective Service System](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_Service_System "Selective Service System") (if male and aged 18 through 25). ## Conditional permanent residents \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=21 "Edit section: Conditional permanent residents")\] As part of immigration reform under the [Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_Reform_and_Control_Act_of_1986 "Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986") (IRCA), as well as further reform enacted in the [Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegal_Immigration_Reform_and_Immigrant_Responsibility_Act_of_1996 "Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996") (IIRIRA), eligible persons who properly apply for permanent residency based on either a recent marriage to a U.S. citizen or as an investor are granted such privilege only on a **conditional basis**, for two years. An exception to this rule is the case of a U.S. citizen legally sponsoring a spouse in which the marriage at the time of the adjustment of status (I-485) is more than two years old. In this case, the conditional status is waived and a 10-year "permanent resident card" is issued after the USCIS approves the case. A permanent resident under the conditional clause may receive an I-551 stamp as well as a permanent resident card. The expiration date of the conditional period is two years from the approval date. The immigrant visa category is CR (conditional resident). When this two-year conditional period is over, the permanent residence automatically expires and the applicant is subject to deportation and removal unless, up to 90 days before the conditional residence expires, the applicant files form I-751 *Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence*[\[81\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-81) (if conditional permanent residence was obtained through marriage) or form I-829 *Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions*[\[82\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-82) (if conditional permanent residence was obtained through investment) with USCIS to have the conditions removed. Once the application is received, permanent residence is extended in 1-year intervals until the request to remove conditions is approved or denied. For conditional permanent residence obtained through marriage, both spouses must sign form I-751; if the spouses are divorced, it is possible to get a waiver of the other spouse's signing requirement, if it can be proved that the marriage was bona fide. The USCIS requires that the application for the removal of conditions provide both general and specific supporting evidence that the basis on which the applicant obtained conditional permanent residence was not fraudulent. For an application based on marriage, birth certificates of children, joint financial statements, and letters from employers, friends and relatives are some types of evidence that may be accepted.[\[83\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-83) That is to ensure that the marriage was in good faith and not a fraudulent [marriage of convenience](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marriage_of_convenience "Marriage of convenience") with a sole intention of obtaining a green card. A follow-up interview with an immigration officer is sometimes required but may be waived if the submitted evidence is sufficient. Both the spouses must usually attend the interview. The applicant receives an I-551 stamp in their foreign passport upon approval of their case. The applicant is then free from the conditional requirement once the application is approved. The applicant's new permanent resident card arrives via mail to their house several weeks to several months later and replaces the old two-year conditional residence card. The new card must be renewed after 10 years, but permanent resident status is now granted for an indefinite term if residence conditions are satisfied at all times. The USCIS may request to renew the card earlier because of security enhancements of the card or as a part of a revalidation campaign to exclude counterfeit green cards from circulation. The two-year conditional residence period counts toward satisfying a residency requirement for U.S. [naturalization](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturalization "Naturalization"), and other purposes. Application for the removal of conditions must be adjudicated before a separate naturalization application can be reviewed by the USCIS on its own merits. ### Differences between permanent residents and conditional permanent residents \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=22 "Edit section: Differences between permanent residents and conditional permanent residents")\] Conditional permanent residents have all of the equal "rights, privileges, responsibilities and duties which apply to all other lawful permanent residents."[\[84\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-84) The only difference is the requirement to satisfy the conditions (such as showing marriage status or satisfying entrepreneur requirements) before the two-year period ends. ## Abandonment or loss of permanent residence status \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=23 "Edit section: Abandonment or loss of permanent residence status")\] A green-card holder may abandon permanent residence by filing form I-407, with the green card, at a U.S. Embassy.[\[85\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-85) Under certain conditions, permanent residence status can be lost involuntarily.[\[86\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-86) This includes committing a criminal act that makes a person removable from the United States (an [aggravated felony](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aggravated_felony "Aggravated felony")). A person might also be found to have abandoned their status if they move to another country to live there permanently, stay outside the US for more than one year (without getting a [re-entry permit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Re-entry_Permit "U.S. Re-entry Permit") before leaving),[\[87\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-87) or fail to file an [income tax](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Income_tax_in_the_United_States "Income tax in the United States") return on their worldwide income. Permanent resident status can also be lost if it is found that the application or grounds for obtaining permanent residence was fraudulent. The failure to renew the permanent resident card does not result in the loss of status, except in the case of conditional permanent residents as noted above. Nevertheless, failure to renew the card can result in loss of [work eligibility](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Work_permit "Work permit") and the ability to travel. A person who loses permanent residence status is immediately removable from the [United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States "United States") and must leave the country as soon as possible or face deportation and removal. In some cases the person may be banned from entering the country for three or seven years, or even [permanently](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_turpitude "Moral turpitude").\[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")*\] ### Tax costs of green card relinquishment \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=24 "Edit section: Tax costs of green card relinquishment")\] Due to the [Heart Act](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expatriation_tax "Expatriation tax")[\[88\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-88) foreign workers who have owned a green card in eight of the last 15 years and choose to relinquish it will be subject to the [expatriation tax](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expatriation_tax "Expatriation tax"), which taxes unrealized gains above \$600,000, anywhere in the world. However this will only apply to those people who have a federal tax liability greater than \$139,000 a year or have a worth of more than \$2 million or have failed to certify to the IRS that they have been in compliance with U.S. federal tax obligations for the past five years.[\[89\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-89)[\[90\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-90) If the green card is not relinquished, then the holder is subject to [double taxation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_taxation#U.S._Citizens_and_Resident_Aliens_Abroad "Double taxation") when living or working outside of the United States, whether or not within their home nation, although double taxation may be mitigated by [foreign tax credits](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_tax_credit "Foreign tax credit"). ## Reading a permanent resident card \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=25 "Edit section: Reading a permanent resident card")\] [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/GC_Altered.JPG/330px-GC_Altered.JPG)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:GC_Altered.JPG) Pre-2008 permanent resident card, bearing the [seal of the United States Department of Homeland Security](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seal_of_the_United_States_Department_of_Homeland_Security "Seal of the United States Department of Homeland Security") While most of the information on the card is self-evident, the computer- and human-readable signature at the bottom is not. The format follows the [machine-readable travel document](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine-readable_passport#Official_travel_documents "Machine-readable passport") TD1 format: - First line: 1–2: C1 or C2. C1 = resident within the United States, C2 = permanent resident commuter (living in Canada or Mexico) 3–5: USA (issuing country, United States) 6–14: 9-digit number (A\#, alien number) 15: check digit over digits 6–14 16–30: 13-character USCIS receipt number,[\[91\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-91) padded with "\<" as a filler character[\[92\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-icao_9303-4-92) - Second line: 1–6: birth date (in YYMMDD format) 7: check digit over digits 1–6 8: gender 9–14: expiration date (in YYMMDD format) 15: check digit over digits 9–14 16–29: country of birth 30: cumulative check digit (over digits 6–30 (upper line), 1–7, 9–15, 19–29 (lower line)) - Third line: surname, given name, middle name, first initial of father, first initial of mother (this line is spaced with "\<\<" between the surname and given name).\[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")*\] Depending on the length of the name, the father's and mother's initials may be omitted. A full list of category codes (i.e. IR1, E21, etc.) can be found in the *Federal Register*[\[93\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-93)[\[94\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-94) or Foreign Affairs Manual.[\[95\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-95) Since May 11, 2010, new green cards contain an [RFID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RFID "RFID") chip[\[96\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-96) and can be electronically accessed at a distance. They are shipped with a protective sleeve intended to protect the card from remote access, but it is reported to be inadequate.[\[97\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-97) ## Visa-free travel for U.S. permanent residents \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=26 "Edit section: Visa-free travel for U.S. permanent residents")\] The following countries and territories generally allow U.S. permanent residents to enter the country without a visa for purposes of tourism. - ![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/Flag_of_Albania.svg/40px-Flag_of_Albania.svg.png) [Albania](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albania "Albania"): 90 days within 180 days[\[98\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-98) - ![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b4/Flag_of_Anguilla.svg/40px-Flag_of_Anguilla.svg.png) [Anguilla](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anguilla "Anguilla"): 90 days[\[99\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-99) - ![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/89/Flag_of_Antigua_and_Barbuda.svg/40px-Flag_of_Antigua_and_Barbuda.svg.png) [Antigua and Barbuda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antigua_and_Barbuda "Antigua and Barbuda"): 30 days[\[100\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-100) - ![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/Flag_of_Argentina.svg/40px-Flag_of_Argentina.svg.png) [Argentina](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentina "Argentina"): 90 days - ![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/93/Flag_of_the_Bahamas.svg/40px-Flag_of_the_Bahamas.svg.png) [Bahamas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bahamas "The Bahamas"): 30 days[\[101\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-101) - ![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/Flag_of_Belize.svg/40px-Flag_of_Belize.svg.png) [Belize](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belize "Belize"): permanent residents of the USA can obtain a visa on arrival,[\[102\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-102) provided prior approval is obtained from Belizean Immigration (fee US\$50). Visitors may also have to pay a repatriation fee. - ![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bf/Flag_of_Bermuda.svg/40px-Flag_of_Bermuda.svg.png) [Bermuda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bermuda "Bermuda")[\[103\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-103) - ![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bf/Flag_of_Bosnia_and_Herzegovina.svg/40px-Flag_of_Bosnia_and_Herzegovina.svg.png) [Bosnia and Herzegovina](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosnia_and_Herzegovina "Bosnia and Herzegovina"): 90 days within 180 days - ![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/42/Flag_of_the_British_Virgin_Islands.svg/40px-Flag_of_the_British_Virgin_Islands.svg.png) [British Virgin Islands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Virgin_Islands "British Virgin Islands"): 1 month[\[104\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-104) - ![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d9/Flag_of_Canada_%28Pantone%29.svg/40px-Flag_of_Canada_%28Pantone%29.svg.png) [Canada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada "Canada"): 6 months[\[105\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-105) (no eTA required)[\[106\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-106) - ![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0f/Flag_of_the_Cayman_Islands.svg/40px-Flag_of_the_Cayman_Islands.svg.png) [Cayman Islands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cayman_Islands "Cayman Islands"): 30 days[\[107\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-107) - ![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f2/Flag_of_Costa_Rica.svg/40px-Flag_of_Costa_Rica.svg.png) [Costa Rica](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costa_Rica "Costa Rica"): 30 days[\[108\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-108) - ![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c4/Flag_of_Dominica.svg/40px-Flag_of_Dominica.svg.png) [Dominica](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominica "Dominica"): 6 months - ![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9f/Flag_of_the_Dominican_Republic.svg/40px-Flag_of_the_Dominican_Republic.svg.png) [Dominican Republic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominican_Republic "Dominican Republic"): 30 days[\[109\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-109) - ![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/20/Flag_of_the_Netherlands.svg/40px-Flag_of_the_Netherlands.svg.png) [Dutch Caribbean](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_Caribbean "Dutch Caribbean") ([Aruba](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aruba "Aruba"), [Curaçao](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cura%C3%A7ao "Curaçao"), [Sint Maarten](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sint_Maarten "Sint Maarten"), [Caribbean Netherlands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caribbean_Netherlands "Caribbean Netherlands")): 30 days[\[110\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-110)[\[111\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-111) - ![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0f/Flag_of_Georgia.svg/40px-Flag_of_Georgia.svg.png) [Georgia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_\(country\) "Georgia (country)"): 90 days within 180 days - ![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/Flag_of_Guatemala.svg/40px-Flag_of_Guatemala.svg.png) [Guatemala](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guatemala "Guatemala"): 90 days[\[112\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-112) - ![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/79/Flag_of_Honduras_%281949%E2%80%932022%2C_2026%E2%80%93present%29.svg/40px-Flag_of_Honduras_%281949%E2%80%932022%2C_2026%E2%80%93present%29.svg.png) [Honduras](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honduras "Honduras"): 90 days[\[113\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-113) - ![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0a/Flag_of_Jamaica.svg/40px-Flag_of_Jamaica.svg.png) [Jamaica](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaica "Jamaica"): 90 days[\[114\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-114) - ![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1f/Flag_of_Kosovo.svg/40px-Flag_of_Kosovo.svg.png) [Kosovo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosovo "Kosovo"): 15 days[\[115\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-115) - ![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fc/Flag_of_Mexico.svg/40px-Flag_of_Mexico.svg.png) [Mexico](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico "Mexico"): 180 days[\[116\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-116) - ![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/Flag_of_Montenegro.svg/40px-Flag_of_Montenegro.svg.png) [Montenegro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montenegro "Montenegro"): 30 days[\[117\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-117) - ![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/19/Flag_of_Nicaragua.svg/40px-Flag_of_Nicaragua.svg.png) [Nicaragua](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicaragua "Nicaragua"): 3 months - ![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ab/Flag_of_Panama.svg/40px-Flag_of_Panama.svg.png) [Panama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama "Panama"): 90 days[\[118\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-118) - ![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/Flag_of_Serbia.svg/40px-Flag_of_Serbia.svg.png) [Serbia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serbia "Serbia"): 90 days[\[119\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-119) - ![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a0/Flag_of_the_Turks_and_Caicos_Islands.svg/40px-Flag_of_the_Turks_and_Caicos_Islands.svg.png) [Turks and Caicos Islands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turks_and_Caicos_Islands "Turks and Caicos Islands"): 30 days ## Suspension of the Diversity Visa Program \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=27 "Edit section: Suspension of the Diversity Visa Program")\] [US Homeland Security](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Us_homeland_security "Us homeland security") Director [Kristi Noem](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kristi_Noem "Kristi Noem") announced on Thursday, 18 December 2025, by order of President Donald Trump, the United States Green Card Lottery program has been suspended. White House officials said the decision was made after it was determined that the main suspect in the [2025 Brown University shooting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Brown_University_shooting "2025 Brown University shooting") entered the United States through the green card lottery. Trump has long opposed the multicultural immigrant visa program, and the suspension of the lottery was done to advance his [immigration policy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_policy_of_the_second_Trump_administration "Immigration policy of the second Trump administration") goals.[\[120\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-120)[\[121\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-121)[\[122\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-122)[\[123\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-123)[\[124\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-124)[\[125\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-125)[\[126\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-126)[\[127\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-127) ## See also \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=28 "Edit section: See also")\] - [Blue Card (European Union)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Card_\(European_Union\) "Blue Card (European Union)") - [Canada Permanent Resident Card](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_Permanent_Resident_Card "Canada Permanent Resident Card") (PR Card), equivalent document in Canada - [Chinese Foreign Permanent Resident Identity Card](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Foreign_Permanent_Resident_Identity_Card "Chinese Foreign Permanent Resident Identity Card") - [Indefinite leave to remain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indefinite_leave_to_remain "Indefinite leave to remain") in the United Kingdom - [Permanent residency](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permanent_residency "Permanent residency") - [Green card marriage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card_marriage "Green card marriage") ## References \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=29 "Edit section: References")\] *This article in most part is based on [law of the United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_the_United_States "Law of the United States"), including [statutory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statutory_law "Statutory law") and [published](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precedent "Precedent") [case law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Case_law "Case law").* 1. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-section_1101\(a\)\(20\)_1-0)** [8 U.S.C.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_8_of_the_United_States_Code "Title 8 of the United States Code") [§ 1101(a)(20)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1101#a_20) ("The term 'lawfully admitted for permanent residence' means the status of having been lawfully accorded the privilege of residing permanently in the United States as an immigrant in accordance with the [immigration laws](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_and_Nationality_Act "Immigration and Nationality Act"), such status not having changed."). 2. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-LPR_2-0)** ["Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR)"](https://www.dhs.gov/immigration-statistics/lawful-permanent-residents). [U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_Homeland_Security "United States Department of Homeland Security") (DHS). April 24, 2018. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180922091633/https://www.dhs.gov/immigration-statistics/lawful-permanent-residents) from the original on September 22, 2018. Retrieved September 22, 2018. 3. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-3)** Miller, Sarah (September 2024). ["Estimates of the Lawful Permanent Resident Population in the United States and the Subpopulation Eligible to Naturalize: 2023"](https://ohss.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2024-11/2024_1108_ohss_lawful_permenent_resident_population_estimate_2024_and_revised_2023.pdf) (PDF). [United States Department of Homeland Security](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_Homeland_Security "United States Department of Homeland Security"). 4. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-Dowd_4-0)** Dowd, Alan (April 2, 2018). ["What a Country: Immigrants Serve US Military Well"](https://providencemag.com/2018/04/what-a-country-immigrants-serve-us-military-well/). providencemag.com. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180923054115/https://providencemag.com/2018/04/what-a-country-immigrants-serve-us-military-well/) from the original on September 23, 2018. Retrieved September 22, 2018. 5. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-naturalization_5-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-naturalization_5-1) [8 U.S.C.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_8_of_the_United_States_Code "Title 8 of the United States Code") [§ 1427](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1427) ("Requirements of naturalization"); see also [8 U.S.C.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_8_of_the_United_States_Code "Title 8 of the United States Code") [§ 1101(f)(8)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1101#f_8); - ["Path to U.S. Citizenship"](https://www.uscis.gov/us-citizenship/citizenship-through-naturalization/path-us-citizenship). [United States Citizenship and Immigration Services](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Citizenship_and_Immigration_Services "United States Citizenship and Immigration Services") (USCIS). January 22, 2013. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180923152331/https://www.uscis.gov/us-citizenship/citizenship-through-naturalization/path-us-citizenship) from the original on September 23, 2018. Retrieved September 23, 2018. - ["How to Apply for U.S. Citizenship"](https://www.usa.gov/become-us-citizen). www.usa.gov. September 4, 2018. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180916164229/https://www.usa.gov/become-us-citizen) from the original on September 16, 2018. Retrieved September 23, 2018. 6. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-Al-Sharif_v._USCIS_6-0)** *Al-Sharif v. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services*, [734 F.3d 207](https://casetext.com/case/al-sharif-v-us-citizenship-immigration-servs-2) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180925220034/https://casetext.com/case/al-sharif-v-us-citizenship-immigration-servs-2) September 25, 2018, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine") (3d Cir. 2013) (en banc) (holding that an LPR convicted of an aggravated felony cannot obtain U.S. citizenship); see also *Mobin v. Taylor*, [598 F.Supp.2d 777](https://casetext.com/case/mobin-v-taylor) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181209121835/https://casetext.com/case/mobin-v-taylor) December 9, 2018, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine") ([E.D. Va.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_District_Court_for_the_Eastern_District_of_Virginia "United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia") 2009) (same). 7. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-American_7-0)** *Khalid v. Sessions*, [904 F.3d 129](https://www.leagle.com/decision/infco20180913097) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181223211521/https://www.leagle.com/decision/infco20180913097) 2018-12-23 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), 131 (2d Cir. 2018) (case involving a U.S. citizen in [removal proceedings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Removal_proceedings "Removal proceedings")) 8. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-8)** ["Khalid v. Sessions"](https://shortcircuit.org/sc_case_entry/khalid-v-sessions/). *Short Circuit*. Retrieved April 1, 2022. 9. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-9)** ["USCIS Announces Redesigned Green Card: Fact Sheet and FAQ"](https://www.aila.org/infonet/uscis-redesigned-green-card-fact-sheet-and-faq). [AILA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Immigration_Lawyers_Association "American Immigration Lawyers Association"). May 11, 2010. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150306164947/http://www.aila.org/infonet/uscis-redesigned-green-card-fact-sheet-and-faq) from the original on March 6, 2015. Retrieved April 23, 2014. 10. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-10)** ["New Design: The Green Card Goes Green"](https://www.uscis.gov/archive/blog/2010/05/new-design-green-card-goes-green). [USCIS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USCIS "USCIS"). May 11, 2010. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170601003209/https://www.uscis.gov/archive/blog/2010/05/new-design-green-card-goes-green) from the original on June 1, 2017. Retrieved April 23, 2014. 11. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-Campos_v._United_States_11-0)** ["Campos v. United States"](https://web.archive.org/web/20181010060844/https://www.leagle.com/decision/infco20180424153). Archived from [the original](https://www.leagle.com/decision/infco20180424153) on October 10, 2018. , 732 ([5th Cir.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5th_Cir. "5th Cir.") 2018 (888 F.3d 724)). 12. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-12)** Absent [exceptional circumstances](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exceptional_and_extremely_unusual_hardship "Exceptional and extremely unusual hardship"), 'Every alien, eighteen years of age and over, shall at all times carry with him and have in his personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card issued to him pursuant to subsection (d). Any alien who fails to comply with the provisions of this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall upon conviction for each offense be fined not to exceed \$100 or be imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both': INA [§ 264(e)](https://www.uscis.gov/ilink/docView/SLB/HTML/SLB/0-0-0-1/0-0-0-29/0-0-0-8289.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180923052446/https://www.uscis.gov/ilink/docView/SLB/HTML/SLB/0-0-0-1/0-0-0-29/0-0-0-8289.html) September 23, 2018, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), [8 U.S.C.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_8_of_the_United_States_Code "Title 8 of the United States Code") [§ 1304(e)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1304#e) ("Personal possession of registration or receipt card; penalties"). 13. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-13)** See generally *Agor v. Sessions*, [No. 17‐3231](https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/4538156/agor-v-sessions/) (2d Cir. September 26, 2018) ("Although federal courts are barred from reviewing a discretionary denial of an adjustment application, we retain [jurisdiction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurisdiction "Jurisdiction") to review an applicantʹs eligibility to adjust.") (summary order); *Alimbaev v. Att'y*, [872 F.3d 188](https://casetext.com/case/alimbaev-v-attorney-gen-of-the-united-states-1#p194) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181129100132/https://casetext.com/case/alimbaev-v-attorney-gen-of-the-united-states-1#p194) November 29, 2018, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), 194 (3d Cir. 2017) (same); *Bonilla v. Lynch*, [840 F.3d 575](https://www.leagle.com/decision/infco20161020163) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181006000334/https://www.leagle.com/decision/infco20161020163) October 6, 2018, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), 581-82 (9th Cir. 2016) (same). 14. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-14)** ["Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers \| USCIS"](https://www.uscis.gov/i-140). May 4, 2021. 15. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-removable_15-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-removable_15-1) [8 U.S.C.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_8_of_the_United_States_Code "Title 8 of the United States Code") [§ 1229a(e)(2)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1229a#e_2) ("The term 'removable' means—(A) in the case of an alien not admitted to the United States, that the alien is inadmissible under section 1182 of this title, or (B) in the case of an alien admitted to the United States, that the alien is deportable under section 1227 of this title."); see also *Galindo v. Sessions*, [897 F.3d 894](https://casetext.com/case/galindo-v-sessions-1#p897) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181224023825/https://casetext.com/case/galindo-v-sessions-1#p897) December 24, 2018, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), 897 ([7th Cir.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Court_of_Appeals_for_the_Seventh_Circuit "United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit") 2018); *Tima v. Att'y Gen.*, [903 F.3d 272](https://www.leagle.com/decision/infco20180906085) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181223211513/https://www.leagle.com/decision/infco20180906085) December 23, 2018, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), 277 (3d Cir. 2018) ("Section 1227 defines '\[d\]eportable aliens,' a [synonym](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synonym "Synonym") for removable aliens.... So § 1227(a)(1) [piggybacks](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/piggyback#English "wikt:piggyback") on § 1182(a) by treating grounds of inadmissibility as grounds for removal as well."). 16. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-aggravated_felony_16-0)** [8 U.S.C.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_8_of_the_United_States_Code "Title 8 of the United States Code") [§ 1101(a)(43)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1101#a_43) ("The term \[aggravated felony\] applies to an offense described in this paragraph ... and applies to such an offense ... for which the term of imprisonment was completed within the previous 15 years."); *Matter of Vasquez-Muniz*, [23 I\&N Dec. 207](https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/eoir/legacy/2014/07/25/3461.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190412071211/https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/eoir/legacy/2014/07/25/3461.pdf) April 12, 2019, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), 211 (BIA 2002) (en banc) ("This penultimate sentence, governing the enumeration of crimes in section 101(a)(43) of the Act, refers the reader to *all* of the crimes 'described in' the aggravated felony provision."); *[Luna Torres v. Lynch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luna_Torres_v._Lynch "Luna Torres v. Lynch")*, 578 U.S. 452, \_\_\_, [136 S.Ct. 1623](https://www.leagle.com/decision/insco20160519f95) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181202155108/https://www.leagle.com/decision/insco20160519f95) December 2, 2018, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), 1627 (2016) ("The whole point of § 1101(a)(43)'s penultimate sentence is to make clear that a listed offense should lead to swift removal, no matter whether it violates federal, state, or foreign law."); see also [8 CFR](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_8_of_the_Code_of_Federal_Regulations "Title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations") [1001\.1](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/part-1001.1)(t) ("The term aggravated felony means a crime (or a conspiracy or attempt to commit a crime) described in section 101(a)(43) of the Act. **This definition is applicable to any proceeding, application, custody determination, or [adjudication](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adjudication "Adjudication") pending on or after September 30, 1996**, but shall apply under section 276(b) of the Act only to violations of section 276(a) of the Act occurring on or after that date.") (emphasis added). 17. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-alien_17-0)** [8 U.S.C.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_8_of_the_United_States_Code "Title 8 of the United States Code") [§ 1101(a)(3)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1101#a_3) 18. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-Othi_v._Holder_18-0)** *Othi v. Holder* [734 F.3d 259](https://casetext.com/case/othi-v-holder#p265) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181210124605/https://casetext.com/case/othi-v-holder#p265) December 10, 2018, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), 264-65 ([4th Cir.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4th_Cir. "4th Cir.") 2013) ("In 1996, Congress 'made major changes to immigration law' via [IIRIRA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IIRIRA "IIRIRA").... These IIRIRA changes became effective on April 1, 1997."). 19. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-19)** [8 CFR](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_8_of_the_Code_of_Federal_Regulations "Title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations") [316\.2](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/part-316.2) ("Eligibility"); [8 U.S.C.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_8_of_the_United_States_Code "Title 8 of the United States Code") [§ 1429](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1429) ("Prerequisite to naturalization; burden of proof"). 20. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-20)** See generally [8 CFR](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_8_of_the_Code_of_Federal_Regulations "Title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations") [319\.1](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/part-319.1) ("Persons living in marital union with United States citizen spouse"). 21. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-21)** ["Naturalization Through Military Service"](https://www.uscis.gov/military/naturalization-through-military-service). *USCIS*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181112181515/https://www.uscis.gov/military/naturalization-through-military-service) from the original on November 12, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2018. 22. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-22)** ["Citizenship and Assimilation Grant Program"](https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/citizenship-and-assimilation-grant-program). USCIS. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180922211715/https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/citizenship-and-assimilation-grant-program) from the original on September 22, 2018. Retrieved September 22, 2018. 23. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-auto_23-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-auto_23-1) ["Green Card \| USCIS"](https://www.uscis.gov/green-card). *www.uscis.gov*. July 11, 2022. Retrieved February 11, 2023. 24. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-24)** ["I Am a Permanent Resident. How Do I Help My Relative Become a U.S. Permanent Resident?"](https://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Resources/B1en.pdf) (PDF). USCIS. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130512030231/http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Resources/B1en.pdf) (PDF) from the original on May 12, 2013. Retrieved September 23, 2018. \[*[needs update](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Dates_and_numbers#Chronological_items "Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers")*\] 25. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-25)** [Visa Bulletins](https://travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin/bulletin_1360.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140101101608/http://travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin/bulletin_1360.html) January 1, 2014, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine") State Department\[*[needs update](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Dates_and_numbers#Chronological_items "Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers")*\] 26. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-26)** [Check Case Processing Times](https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180923235126/https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/) September 23, 2018, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine") USCIS 27. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-:10_27-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-:10_27-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-:10_27-2) [***d***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-:10_27-3) [***e***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-:10_27-4) ["New Trump rule would target legal immigrants who get public assistance"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-benefits-idUSKCN1V219N). *Reuters*. August 12, 2019. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190812153939/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-benefits-idUSKCN1V219N) from the original on August 12, 2019. Retrieved August 12, 2019. 28. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-:11_28-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-:11_28-1) Shear, Michael D.; Sullivan, Eileen (August 12, 2019). ["Trump Policy Favors Wealthier Immigrants for Green Cards"](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/12/us/politics/trump-immigration-policy.html). *The New York Times*. [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [0362-4331](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0362-4331). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190812140003/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/12/us/politics/trump-immigration-policy.html) from the original on August 12, 2019. Retrieved August 12, 2019. 29. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-29)** ["President Donald J. Trump is Ensuring Non-Citizens Do Not Abuse Our Nation's Public Benefit"](https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trump-ensuring-non-citizens-not-abuse-nations-public-benefit/). *[whitehouse.gov](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitehouse.gov "Whitehouse.gov")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210120201756/https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trump-ensuring-non-citizens-not-abuse-nations-public-benefit/) from the original on January 20, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2019 – via [National Archives](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NARA "NARA"). 30. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-30)** ["THE BIDEN PLAN FOR SECURING OUR VALUES AS A NATION OF IMMIGRANTS"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210214085040/https://joebiden.com/immigration/). *joebiden.com*. Archived from [the original](https://joebiden.com/immigration/) on February 14, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2021. "Reverse Trump's public charge rule, which runs counter to our values as Americans and the history of our nation. Allowing immigration officials to make an individual's ability to receive a visa or gain permanent residency contingent on their use of government services such as SNAP benefits or Medicaid, their household income, and other discriminatory criteria undermines America's character as land of opportunity that is open and welcoming to all, not just the wealthy." 31. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-31)** O’Toole, Molly (February 2, 2021). ["Biden's early immigration orders largely limited to reviewing, not undoing, Trump policy"](https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2021-02-02/biden-immigration-executive-orders-trump). *The Los Angeles Times*. Los Angeles, California. Retrieved February 5, 2021. "On Tuesday, Biden signed a series of executive orders and directives on immigration that primarily call for the review of, rather than an end to, Trump policies that the new administration has said it would get rid of, according to Biden officials who previewed the actions. These include the program known as "Remain in Mexico," under which thousands of asylum seekers remain stuck at the border, and the "public charge" rule, which essentially requires a wealth test for immigrants." 32. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-32)** ["Opinion \| Like Mahmoud Khalil, I was a student green card holder. But Donald Trump wasn't president"](https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/trump-deporting-student-green-card-holders-mahmoud-khalil-rcna203601). *[MSNBC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MSNBC "MSNBC")*. May 2, 2025. 33. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-33)** ["Green Card"](https://www.uscis.gov/greencard). USCIS. 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[Gudeon & McFadden](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gudeon_%26_McFadden&action=edit&redlink=1 "Gudeon & McFadden (page does not exist)"). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160602080758/http://www.usvisalawyers.co.uk/article14.html) from the original on June 2, 2016. Retrieved May 20, 2016. 89. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-89)** [*United States: HEART Act Applicable To Expatriates And Long-Term Residents*](http://www.mondaq.com/article.asp?articleid=62884) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090114023501/http://www.mondaq.com/article.asp?articleid=62884) January 14, 2009, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine") McDermott Will and Emery 90. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-90)** ["*Expatriate Rules in HEART* Deloitte"](http://benefitslink.com/articles/guests/washbull080630.html). Benefitslink.com. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20081120030006/http://benefitslink.com/articles/guests/washbull080630.html) from the original on November 20, 2008. Retrieved February 20, 2012. 91. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-91)** U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. ["myUSCIS - Case Status Search"](https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170128122520/https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do) from the original on January 28, 2017. Retrieved January 31, 2017. 92. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-icao_9303-4_92-0)** International Civil Aviation Organization (2015). [*Doc 9303: Machine Readable Travel Documents, Part 5: Specifications for TD1 Size Machine Readable Official Travel Documents (MROTDs)*](http://www.icao.int/publications/Documents/9303_p5_cons_en.pdf) (PDF) (Seventh ed.). p. 13. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)") [978-92-9249-794-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-92-9249-794-1 "Special:BookSources/978-92-9249-794-1") . [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170618153550/https://www.icao.int/publications/Documents/9303_p5_cons_en.pdf) (PDF) from the original on June 18, 2017. Retrieved January 31, 2017. 93. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-93)** ["Visas: Documentation of Immigrants and Nonimmigrants — Visa Classification Symbols"](https://www.usdoj.gov/eoir/vll/fedreg/2008_2009/fr20mr08.pdf) (PDF). *Federal Register*. **73** (55): 14926. March 20, 2008. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090725203103/http://www.usdoj.gov/eoir/vll/fedreg/2008_2009/fr20mr08.pdf) (PDF) from the original on July 25, 2009. Retrieved February 20, 2012. 94. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-94)** ["SI 00502.215 The Affidavits of Support"](https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0500502215). Secure.ssa.gov. January 27, 2009. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120517082907/https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0500502215) from the original on May 17, 2012. Retrieved April 5, 2012. 95. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-95)** ["U.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual Volume 9 – Visas"](https://fam.state.gov/FAM/09FAM/09FAM050201.html#M502_1_3). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304190258/https://fam.state.gov/FAM/09FAM/09FAM050201.html#M502_1_3) from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016. 96. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-96)** ["U.S. issues redesigned, RFID-enhanced 'green cards'"](http://fcw.com/articles/2010/05/13/us-issues-redesigned-rfid-green-cards.aspx). fcw.com. May 13, 2010. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20111016044724/http://fcw.com/Articles/2010/05/13/US-issues-redesigned-RFID-green-cards.aspx) from the original on October 16, 2011. Retrieved May 8, 2012. 97. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-97)** ["RFID Hacking - Live Free or RFID Hard"](https://media.blackhat.com/us-13/US-13-Brown-RFID-Hacking-Live-Free-or-RFID-Hard-Slides.pdf) (PDF). Black Hat USA 2013 – Las Vegas, NV. August 1, 2013. p. 49. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170210152758/https://media.blackhat.com/us-13/US-13-Brown-RFID-Hacking-Live-Free-or-RFID-Hard-Slides.pdf) (PDF) from the original on February 10, 2017. Retrieved January 30, 2017. 98. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-98)** "[Visa Regime for Foreign Citizens](https://punetejashtme.gov.al/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/3-visa-regime-for-foreign-citiznes-01.11.2018.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190201134644/https://punetejashtme.gov.al/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/3-visa-regime-for-foreign-citiznes-01.11.2018.pdf) February 1, 2019, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")". *Ministria per Evropën dhe Punët e Jashtme*. January 11, 2018. "Foreigners that have a valid visa from the United States of America (USA) or United Kingdom (UK), with multiple entries, that has been used previously to enter that country, and/or those that have a valid Residence Permit in USA or UK." 99. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-99)** ["Immigration Department - Official Notice"](https://www.gov.ai/document/immigration/FB%20Post%20Acceptance%20of%20US%20UK%20and%20Can%20Visa.jpg). *Government of Anguilla*. Retrieved October 16, 2024. 100. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-100)** "[Visa on Arrival](http://www.immigration.gov.ag/visa-services/visa-on-arrival/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190128235850/http://www.immigration.gov.ag/visa-services/visa-on-arrival/) January 28, 2019, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")". *Antigua and Barbuda Department of Immigration, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Immigration*. Retrieved February 8, 2019. "Visas may be granted on arrival: To persons who are holders of a valid: United States Visa or permanent Resident Card; or A Canadian Visa or permanent Resident Card, or A United Kingdom Visa or Resident Card, or A Schengen Visa." 101. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-101)** "[Entering The Bahamas](https://www.bahamas.gov.bs/wps/portal/public/Landing/Entry%20and%20Departure/!ut/p/b1/vZHbbptAFEW_pR_gMDAwwOMYzMVcDRgwL5axA-JmY3MzfH3tqFIbt0laqcmcp5HW1j77bCIiNiQgWQAgiRAREtFx12fprs1Ox115_0doC2XLWAk0Z3CI5oFKeqYqLmwoe_AGbO4AkA2Mb4BFeXdAIJG2ZsBcYF70qzlYuToPMcAMA1SF8lhWXkNBAj_04I2Hwd_p3wGiX9fj0PK-nmZpOq9BmaSJgAiV_WQKjTossJf6s6K8Mrj0l83zdXdS3WbbOrHOGECD6jqet1MCTNu4GrIaNEh2x9I0RIvNZ6G0P3vpWZR109MQtYmHsdOmZKyCOK7rpjbE1BHCbXWuq_3ieOSaykp3WeKuDkfoNTJVuZkUmQqV7LUDOYoOT-8clXb52zbFEvaNHbQS3SIlYXsn26PHu_8e7N96e9Aj5iN9QESvT_uH5l-A96p9txzEfADcQprKqXomNjeMfQtTbIbwiBDQWzcfa3UqJicHV924aKBdpCO5BsBd9K65Li23XZpGrg6A9VVjwqM33aouisk92PbBd9ZzjHeni9w9Gr6O7q7ozzZ8SMh8uSH56SfVKHgz1KFucgIJIPXVhv8_4ZKIsrh6GvbVE3hCPA8RYG4-PAIcSRF-vkaseFrihT34VUaWLbuZTk20WMHerbBpdRuHZaSUnimt3eruUNXHw4QNCeZ11Q9rIcuVqssjhh6mVaycWGwf0-A8D5rOkzQkyoG_Cxr_spyEDF-68Nr3230aesJG8jMnLGTrUtRubM30VqOoHM3FOhaLLPCl_UUfZFMdkzwptfw8hMmZTXDXWIOXH4O-uq6KaSP4JX9tWwXQkskLkshpTcR13fUgQMMGRBWVkqSP2axwlIHkfs6Av30Hhon8Hg!!/dl4/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160204102445/https://www.bahamas.gov.bs/wps/portal/public/Landing/Entry%20and%20Departure/!ut/p/b1/vZHbbptAFEW_pR_gMDAwwOMYzMVcDRgwL5axA-JmY3MzfH3tqFIbt0laqcmcp5HW1j77bCIiNiQgWQAgiRAREtFx12fprs1Ox115_0doC2XLWAk0Z3CI5oFKeqYqLmwoe_AGbO4AkA2Mb4BFeXdAIJG2ZsBcYF70qzlYuToPMcAMA1SF8lhWXkNBAj_04I2Hwd_p3wGiX9fj0PK-nmZpOq9BmaSJgAiV_WQKjTossJf6s6K8Mrj0l83zdXdS3WbbOrHOGECD6jqet1MCTNu4GrIaNEh2x9I0RIvNZ6G0P3vpWZR109MQtYmHsdOmZKyCOK7rpjbE1BHCbXWuq_3ieOSaykp3WeKuDkfoNTJVuZkUmQqV7LUDOYoOT-8clXb52zbFEvaNHbQS3SIlYXsn26PHu_8e7N96e9Aj5iN9QESvT_uH5l-A96p9txzEfADcQprKqXomNjeMfQtTbIbwiBDQWzcfa3UqJicHV924aKBdpCO5BsBd9K65Li23XZpGrg6A9VVjwqM33aouisk92PbBd9ZzjHeni9w9Gr6O7q7ozzZ8SMh8uSH56SfVKHgz1KFucgIJIPXVhv8_4ZKIsrh6GvbVE3hCPA8RYG4-PAIcSRF-vkaseFrihT34VUaWLbuZTk20WMHerbBpdRuHZaSUnimt3eruUNXHw4QNCeZ11Q9rIcuVqssjhh6mVaycWGwf0-A8D5rOkzQkyoG_Cxr_spyEDF-68Nr3230aesJG8jMnLGTrUtRubM30VqOoHM3FOhaLLPCl_UUfZFMdkzwptfw8hMmZTXDXWIOXH4O-uq6KaSP4JX9tWwXQkskLkshpTcR13fUgQMMGRBWVkqSP2axwlIHkfs6Av30Hhon8Hg!!/dl4/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/) February 4, 2016, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")". *Department of Immigration*. Government of the Bahamas. Retrieved February 8, 2019. "All persons entering The Bahamas require a Bahamian visa except the following persons: United States Citizens entering as a bona fide visitor for a stay not exceeding eight (8) months. Alien residents of the United States who, upon arrival, are in possession of United States Alien Registration Cards for visits not exceeding thirty (30) days." 102. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-102)** "[Do I Need a Visa?](https://belize.com/belize-visa/)" *Belize High Commission London*. Retrieved January 8, 2019. "Nationals of the following countries do NOT require a visa to enter Belize as a tourist for a period of up to 30 days. – Any person who is the holder of a valid United States of America (USA) multiple entry visa or a Permanent Residency Card OR a valid Schengen multiple entry visa for a European Union (EU) member state." 103. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-103)** "[Immigration](https://web.archive.org/web/20071017175524/http://www.gov.bm/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=214&&PageID=512&mode=2&in_hi_userid=2&cached=true)". *Government of Bermuda*. May 22, 2008. Archived from [the original](http://www.gov.bm/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=214&&PageID=512&mode=2&in_hi_userid=2&cached=true) on October 17, 2007. 104. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-104)** ["British Virgin Islands International Travel Information"](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/BritishVirginIslands.html). *travel.state.gov*. Retrieved August 19, 2020. 105. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-105)** "[Countries/Territories requiring visas](http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170729061712/http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp) July 29, 2017, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")". *Cic.gc.ca*. July 11, 2011. Retrieved April 5, 2012. 106. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-106)** ["Find out about Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)"](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta/facts.html). April 25, 2022. 107. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-107)** "[List of Countries](https://www.immigration.gov.ky/portal/page/portal/immhome/visitinghere/visas/visitorsvisas/listofcountries) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20171230114824/http://www.immigration.gov.ky/portal/page/portal/immhome/visitinghere/visas/visitorsvisas/listofcountries) December 30, 2017, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")". *Immigration*. Government of the Cayman Islands. Retrieved February 8, 2019. "Exemptions. Even if you are a national of one of the countries listed above, you will NOT require a visa to enter the Cayman Islands if you are not a prohibited immigrant\*\* and you can satisfy an Immigration Officer on arrival in the Cayman Islands that you are ... you are resident in the United States of America; and you arrive directly from that country; and you produce on arrival a valid United States Alien Registration Card; and you produce on arrival a return or round trip ticket to the United States." 108. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-108)** "[Consular Visa](http://www.costarica-embassy.org/index.php?q=node/24) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190330221246/http://www.costarica-embassy.org/index.php?q=node%2F24) March 30, 2019, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")". *Embassy of Costa Rica in Washington, D.C.*. Retrieved February 8, 2018. "Situations that do not need tourist visa to enter Costa Rica. Nationals of countries that require a VISA to enter Costa Rica are NO LONGER REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR THE VISA if: ... You have permanent residence (Greencard holder) ... Permanent residents must show their residence card, which must be valid for at least six months. The residence card (Green Card) must meet the new security features according to the specifications by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The green card should have an expiration date according to the security features. ... Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into the country and once in Costa Rica, you can remain for a maximum of 30 calendar days, An extension of the stay must be requested at the Office of Migration in Costa Rica." 109. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-109)** "[Embassy of the Dominican Republic, in the United States](http://www.domrep.org/faqconsular.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20111217003057/http://www.domrep.org/faqconsular.html) December 17, 2011, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")". *Domrep.org*. Retrieved August 16, 2014. 110. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-110)** "[Do I need a visa for the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom?](https://www.netherlandsandyou.nl/travel-and-residence/caribbean-visas/do-i-need-a-visa-for-the-caribbean-parts-of-the-kingdom) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190621043734/https://www.netherlandsandyou.nl/travel-and-residence/caribbean-visas/do-i-need-a-visa-for-the-caribbean-parts-of-the-kingdom) June 21, 2019, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")". *Netherlandsandyou.nl*. Kingdom of the Netherlands. Retrieved February 8, 2019. "Do I need a visa for the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom? ... If you hold a permanent residence permit for the United States or Canada, you do not need a visa." 111. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-111)** "[Aruba Entry Requirements](https://www.visitaruba.com/traveling-to-aruba/entry-requirements-and-visas/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190114163215/https://www.visitaruba.com/traveling-to-aruba/entry-requirements-and-visas/) January 14, 2019, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")". *Visit Aruba*. Carib Media. Retrieved February 8, 2019. "Visa required persons exempted from the visa requirement. Click here to download a list of nationals who need a Visa to travel to Aruba. The following persons, who normally require a visa, are exempt from this requirement: Holders of a valid residence permit (temporary or permanent) from: another part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; the United States of America; Canada, The Schengen Territory, United Kingdom, Ireland." 112. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-112)** ["Guatemala International Travel Information"](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Guatemala.html). *travel.state.gov*. Retrieved August 19, 2020. 113. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-113)** ["Honduras International Travel Information"](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Honduras.html). *travel.state.gov*. Retrieved August 19, 2020. 114. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-114)** ["Jamaica International Travel Information"](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Jamaica.html). *travel.state.gov*. Retrieved August 19, 2020. 115. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-115)** ["Embassy of the Republic Kosovo, in Washington DC"](http://ambasada-ks.net/us/?page=2,128). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160621210454/http://www.ambasada-ks.net/us/?page=2,128) from the original on June 21, 2016. Retrieved August 12, 2016. 116. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-116)** ["Instituto Nacional de Migracion"](http://www.inm.gob.mx/index.php/page/paises_visa/en.html). www.inm.gob.mx. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150712194229/http://www.inm.gob.mx/index.php/page/paises_visa/en.html) from the original on July 12, 2015. Retrieved August 4, 2015. 117. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-117)** "[Montenegro Visa Regimes](https://www.visit-montenegro.com/montenegro-visa-regimes/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190404120130/https://www.visit-montenegro.com/montenegro-visa-regimes/) April 4, 2019, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")". *Visit Montenegro*. Holders of travel documents containing a valid Schengen visa, a valid visa of the United States of America, United Kingdom, Ireland, or a permission to stay in these countries, may enter and stay, or pass through the territory of Montenegro up to 30 days, and not longer than the expiry of visa, if the period of validity of the visa is less than 30 days." 118. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-118)** "[Immigration and Visas". *Embassy of Panama in Washington, D.C.* Retrieved 8 2019. "Visa Waiver: There is a Law in effect regarding tourist visas for entering the Republic of Panama; EXECUTIVE DECREE \# 591 states that: “Those who hold a valid passport with a 3 months validity left and a multiple entry visa with a remaining ONE year validity from ONE of the following countries: USA, Australia, Canada, or United Kingdom, which has been used at least one time to enter these countries, may enter the Republic of Panama regardless of their nationality."](https://www.embassyofpanama.org/visas-1) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190209124432/https://www.embassyofpanama.org/visas-1) February 9, 2019, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine") 119. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-119)** "[Travel to Serbia](http://www.washington.mfa.gov.rs/consularservicestext.php?subaction=showfull&id=1348565352&ucat=17&template=MeniENG&#disqus_thread) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160406033647/http://www.washington.mfa.gov.rs/consularservicestext.php?subaction=showfull&id=1348565352&ucat=17&template=MeniENG&#disqus_thread) April 6, 2016, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")". *Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Washington, D.C.* Retrieved February 8, 2019. "Foreign nationals who have a valid US visa or lawful residence in the United States (green card) may enter the Republic of Serbia without visas and stay no longer than 90 days within six month period. Visa must be valid for the whole duration of stay in the Republic of Serbia." 120. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-120)** ["US suspends green card lottery scheme after Brown shooting"](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gp4ze002mo). *www.bbc.com*. December 19, 2025. Retrieved December 31, 2025. 121. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-121)** Staff (December 19, 2025). ["Trump suspends US green card lottery in wake of Brown University and MIT shootings"](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/19/trump-suspends-us-green-card-lottery-dv1-visa-program). *The Guardian*. [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [0261-3077](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0261-3077). Retrieved December 31, 2025. 122. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-122)** Press, The Associated (December 19, 2025). ["Trump suspends U.S. green card lottery after Brown University and MIT shootings"](https://www.npr.org/2025/12/19/nx-s1-5649339/trump-suspends-u-s-green-card-lottery-after-brown-university-and-mit-shootings). *NPR*. Retrieved December 31, 2025. 123. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-123)** Staff, Al Jazeera. ["Trump government suspends visa lottery linked to Brown University suspect"](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/20/trump-government-suspends-visa-lottery-linked-to-brown-university-suspect). *Al Jazeera*. Retrieved December 31, 2025. 124. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-124)** ["Trump administration suspends green card lottery after Brown University shooting"](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/12/19/trump-administration-suspends-the-us-green-card-lottery_6748661_4.html). December 19, 2025. Retrieved December 31, 2025. 125. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-125)** Ohlen, Elsa (December 19, 2025). ["Trump suspends U.S. green card lottery after Brown University shooting"](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/19/us-green-card-lottery-suspended-after-brown-shooting-officials-say.html). *CNBC*. Retrieved December 31, 2025. 126. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-126)** ["Trump administration suspends green-card lottery after Brown shooting"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2025/12/19/trump-brown-university-kristi-noem-green-card/). *The Washington Post*. December 19, 2025. [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [0190-8286](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0190-8286). Retrieved December 31, 2025. 127. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-127)** ["Trump Administration Pauses Diversity Immigration Program After Brown Shooting"](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/19/us/brown-shooting-suspect-diversity-visa-program.html). ## External links \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=30 "Edit section: External links")\] [![Wikimedia Commons logo](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/20px-Commons-logo.svg.png)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Commons-logo.svg) Media related to [Green Cards (United States)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Green_Cards_\(United_States\) "commons:Category:Green Cards (United States)") at Wikimedia Commons - [Green Card](https://www.uscis.gov/green-card) at USCIS.gov - [Types of employment-based Green Card application categories](https://web.archive.org/web/20061230113424/http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1323.html) - Frost, Amanda (2021). *You Are Not American: Citizenship Stripping from Dred Scott to the Dreamers*. Beacon Press. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)") [978-0-8070-5143-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-8070-5143-6 "Special:BookSources/978-0-8070-5143-6") . - Birkvad, Simon Roland (March 2023). "'Citizenship Cheaters' before the Law: Reading Fraud-Based Denaturalization in Norway through Lenses of Exceptionalism". *International Political Sociology*. **17** (1) olad006. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1093/ips/olad006](https://doi.org/10.1093%2Fips%2Folad006). [ProQuest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ProQuest "ProQuest") [2823849892](https://www.proquest.com/docview/2823849892). - Dhillon, Hardeep (February 2023). "The Making of Modern US Citizenship and Alienage: The History of Asian Immigration, Racial Capital, and US Law". *Law and History Review*. **41** (1): 1–42\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1017/S0738248023000019](https://doi.org/10.1017%2FS0738248023000019). - Berman, Lila Corwin (November 2022). "How a Citizen Becomes an Alien: Three Cases of American Jews and Citizenship Lost, Regained, and Lost Again". *Modern American History*. **5** (3): 289–311\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1017/mah.2022.18](https://doi.org/10.1017%2Fmah.2022.18). [ProQuest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ProQuest "ProQuest") [2756622343](https://www.proquest.com/docview/2756622343). | [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Immigration_to_the_United_States "Template:Immigration to the United States") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Immigration_to_the_United_States "Template talk:Immigration to the United States") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Immigration_to_the_United_States "Special:EditPage/Template:Immigration to the United States")[Immigration to the United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_to_the_United_States "Immigration to the United States") and related topics | | |---|---| | [History](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_immigration_to_the_United_States "History of immigration to the United States") [Nationality law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_nationality_law "United States nationality law") [History](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_immigration_and_nationality_law_in_the_United_States "History of immigration and nationality law in the United States") [List](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_immigration_and_nationality_laws "List of United States immigration and nationality laws") | | | Relevant colonial era, United States and international laws | | | | | | 18th century | [Nationality law in the American Colonies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationality_law_in_the_American_Colonies "Nationality law in the American Colonies") [Plantation Act of 1740](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plantation_Act_1740 "Plantation Act 1740") [Naturalization Act of 1790](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturalization_Act_of_1790 "Naturalization Act of 1790") / [1795](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturalization_Act_of_1795 "Naturalization Act of 1795") / [1798](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturalization_Act_of_1798 "Naturalization Act of 1798") [Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_and_Sedition_Acts_of_1798 "Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798") | | 19th century | [Naturalization Act of 1802](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturalization_Law_of_1802 "Naturalization Law of 1802") [Act to Encourage Immigration (1864)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Act_to_Encourage_Immigration "An Act to Encourage Immigration") [Civil Rights Act of 1866](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Rights_Act_of_1866 "Civil Rights Act of 1866") [14th Amendment (1868)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourteenth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution "Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution") [Naturalization Act of 1870](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturalization_Act_of_1870 "Naturalization Act of 1870") [Page Act of 1875](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Page_Act_of_1875 "Page Act of 1875") [Immigration Act of 1882](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_Act_of_1882 "Immigration Act of 1882") [Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Exclusion_Act_of_1882 "Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882") [Scott Act of 1888](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Act_of_1888 "Scott Act of 1888") [Immigration Act of 1891](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_Act_of_1891 "Immigration Act of 1891") [Geary Act of 1892](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geary_Act_of_1892 "Geary Act of 1892") | | 20th century | [Anarchist Exclusion Act of 1903](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarchist_Exclusion_Act_of_1903 "Anarchist Exclusion Act of 1903") [Naturalization Act of 1906](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturalization_Act_of_1906 "Naturalization Act of 1906") [Gentlemen's Agreement of 1907](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gentlemen%27s_Agreement_of_1907 "Gentlemen's Agreement of 1907") [Immigration Act of 1907](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_Act_of_1907 "Immigration Act of 1907") [Immigration Act of 1917](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_Act_of_1917 "Immigration Act of 1917") [Immigration Act of 1918](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_Act_of_1918 "Immigration Act of 1918") [Emergency Quota Act of 1921](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_Quota_Act_of_1921 "Emergency Quota Act of 1921") [Cable Act of 1922](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable_Act_of_1922 "Cable Act of 1922") [Immigration Act of 1924](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_Act_of_1924 "Immigration Act of 1924") [Indian Citizenship Act of 1924](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Citizenship_Act_of_1924 "Indian Citizenship Act of 1924") [Philippine Independence Act of 1934](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Independence_Act_of_1934 "Philippine Independence Act of 1934") [Filipino Repatriation Act of 1935](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filipino_Repatriation_Act_of_1935 "Filipino Repatriation Act of 1935") [Nationality Act of 1940](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationality_Act_of_1940 "Nationality Act of 1940") [Bracero Program (1942–1964)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bracero_Program "Bracero Program") [Chinese Exclusion Repeal Act of 1943](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Exclusion_Repeal_Act_of_1943 "Chinese Exclusion Repeal Act of 1943") [War Brides Act of 1945](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Brides_Act_of_1945 "War Brides Act of 1945") [Alien Fiancées and Fiancés Act of 1946](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_Fianc%C3%A9es_and_Fianc%C3%A9s_Act_of_1946 "Alien Fiancées and Fiancés Act of 1946") [Luce–Celler Act of 1946](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luce%E2%80%93Celler_Act_of_1946 "Luce–Celler Act of 1946") [UN Refugee Convention (1951)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convention_relating_to_the_Status_of_Refugees "Convention relating to the Status of Refugees") [Immigration and Nationality Act 1952](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_and_Nationality_Act_of_1952 "Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952") / [1965](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_and_Nationality_Act_of_1965 "Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965") [Refugee Act of 1980](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refugee_Act_of_1980 "Refugee Act of 1980") [Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_Reform_and_Control_Act_of_1986 "Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986") [Family Fairness (1987)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_Fairness "Family Fairness") [Amerasian Homecoming Act of 1987](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amerasian_Homecoming_Act_of_1987 "Amerasian Homecoming Act of 1987") [Immigration Act of 1990](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_Act_of_1990 "Immigration Act of 1990") [Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_and_Nationality_Technical_Corrections_Act_of_1994 "Immigration and Nationality Technical Corrections Act of 1994") [Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antiterrorism_and_Effective_Death_Penalty_Act_of_1996 "Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996") [Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegal_Immigration_Reform_and_Immigrant_Responsibility_Act_of_1996 "Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996") [Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act of 1997](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicaraguan_Adjustment_and_Central_American_Relief_Act_of_1997 "Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act of 1997") [American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Competitiveness_and_Workforce_Improvement_Act_of_1998 "American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998") | | 21st century | [American Competitiveness in the 21st Century Act of 2000](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Competitiveness_in_the_21st_Century_Act "American Competitiveness in the 21st Century Act") [Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victims_of_Trafficking_and_Violence_Protection_Act_of_2000 "Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000") [Child Citizenship Act of 2000](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_Citizenship_Act_of_2000 "Child Citizenship Act of 2000") [Legal Immigration Family Equity Act of 2000](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_Immigration_Family_Equity_Act_of_2000 "Legal Immigration Family Equity Act of 2000") [Homeland Security Act of 2002](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeland_Security_Act_of_2002 "Homeland Security Act of 2002") [H-1B Visa Reform Act of 2004](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H-1B_Visa_Reform_Act_of_2004 "H-1B Visa Reform Act of 2004") [Real ID Act of 2005](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_ID_Act "Real ID Act") [International Marriage Broker Regulation Act of 2005](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Marriage_Broker_Regulation_Act "International Marriage Broker Regulation Act") [Secure Fence Act of 2006](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secure_Fence_Act_of_2006 "Secure Fence Act of 2006") [Emergency Afghan Allies Extension Act of 2014](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_Afghan_Allies_Extension_Act_of_2014 "Emergency Afghan Allies Extension Act of 2014") [Laken Riley Act of 2025](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laken_Riley_Act "Laken Riley Act") [One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Big_Beautiful_Bill_Act "One Big Beautiful Bill Act") | | Visas and policies | [Visa policy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_the_United_States "Visa policy of the United States") [Permanent residence (Green card)]() [Visa Waiver Program](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_Waiver_Program "Visa Waiver Program") [Temporary protected status (TPS)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temporary_protected_status "Temporary protected status") [Asylum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asylum_in_the_United_States "Asylum in the United States") [Green Card Lottery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity_Immigrant_Visa "Diversity Immigrant Visa") [Central American Minors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_American_Minors_Program "Central American Minors Program") [Employment authorization document (EAD card)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Employment_authorization_document "Employment authorization document") [Deferred action](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deferred_action "Deferred action") [Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deferred_Action_for_Childhood_Arrivals "Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals") [Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deferred_Action_for_Parents_of_Americans "Deferred Action for Parents of Americans") [Parole](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parole_\(United_States_immigration\) "Parole (United States immigration)") [Parole for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parole_for_Cubans,_Haitians,_Nicaraguans,_and_Venezuelans "Parole for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans") [Keeping Families Together (KFT)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keeping_Families_Together_\(United_States_immigration_policy\) "Keeping Families Together (United States immigration policy)") [Adjustment of status](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adjustment_of_status "Adjustment of status") [US-VISIT](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US-VISIT "US-VISIT") [Security Advisory Opinion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_Advisory_Opinion "Security Advisory Opinion") [E-Verify](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-Verify "E-Verify") [National Origins Formula](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Origins_Formula "National Origins Formula") [Expedited removal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expedited_removal "Expedited removal") [Detention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_detention_in_the_United_States "Immigration detention in the United States") [Family](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_immigration_detention_in_the_United_States "Family immigration detention in the United States") [List of sites](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_immigrant_detention_sites_in_the_United_States "List of immigrant detention sites in the United States") [Unaccompanied children](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unaccompanied_Alien_Children "Unaccompanied Alien Children") [Birthright citizenship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birthright_citizenship_in_the_United_States "Birthright citizenship in the United States") [Refugee Admissions Program](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Refugee_Admissions_Program "United States Refugee Admissions Program") [Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Program](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unaccompanied_Refugee_Minors_Program "Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Program") [Title 42 expulsion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_42_expulsion "Title 42 expulsion") [Deportation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deportation_from_the_United_States "Deportation from the United States") [Remain in Mexico](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remain_in_Mexico "Remain in Mexico") [Prevention Through Deterrence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prevention_Through_Deterrence "Prevention Through Deterrence") [Permanent Labor Certification](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permanent_Labor_Certification "Permanent Labor Certification") [Travel bans under the Trump administrations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travel_bans_under_the_Trump_administrations "Travel bans under the Trump administrations") | | Government organizations | [Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bureau_of_Population,_Refugees,_and_Migration "Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration") [Department of Homeland Security](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_Homeland_Security "United States Department of Homeland Security") [Immigration and Customs Enforcement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Immigration_and_Customs_Enforcement "United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement") [U.S. Border Patrol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Border_Patrol "U.S. Border Patrol") ([BORTAC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BORTAC "BORTAC")) [U.S. Customs and Border Protection](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Customs_and_Border_Protection "U.S. Customs and Border Protection") [U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Citizenship_and_Immigration_Services "United States Citizenship and Immigration Services") [Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Immigration_and_Naturalization_Service "United States Immigration and Naturalization Service") [Executive Office for Immigration Review](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_Office_for_Immigration_Review "Executive Office for Immigration Review") [Board of Immigration Appeals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Board_of_Immigration_Appeals "Board of Immigration Appeals") [Office of Refugee Resettlement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Office_of_Refugee_Resettlement "Office of Refugee Resettlement") | | [Supreme Court cases](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:United_States_immigration_and_naturalization_case_law "Category:United States immigration and naturalization case law") | *[Passenger Cases](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passenger_Cases "Passenger Cases")* (1849) *[Chy Lung v. Freeman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chy_Lung_v._Freeman "Chy Lung v. Freeman")* (1876) *[Henderson v. Mayor of New York](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henderson_v._Mayor_of_New_York "Henderson v. Mayor of New York")* (1876) *[Head Money Cases](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_Money_Cases "Head Money Cases")* (1884) *[Chae Chan Ping v. United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chae_Chan_Ping_v._United_States "Chae Chan Ping v. United States")* (1889) *[Nishimura Ekiu v. United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishimura_Ekiu_v._United_States "Nishimura Ekiu v. United States")* (1892) *[Fong Yue Ting v. United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fong_Yue_Ting_v._United_States "Fong Yue Ting v. United States")* (1893) *[United States v. Wong Kim Ark](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Wong_Kim_Ark "United States v. Wong Kim Ark")* (1898) *[Yamataya v. Fisher](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamataya_v._Fisher "Yamataya v. Fisher")* (1903) *[Turner v. Williams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turner_v._Williams "Turner v. Williams")* (1904) *[United States ex rel. Knauff v. Shaughnessy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_ex_rel._Knauff_v._Shaughnessy "United States ex rel. Knauff v. Shaughnessy")* (1950) *[Harisiades v. Shaughnessy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harisiades_v._Shaughnessy "Harisiades v. Shaughnessy")* (1952) *[Shaughnessy v. United States ex rel. Mezei](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaughnessy_v._United_States_ex_rel._Mezei "Shaughnessy v. United States ex rel. Mezei")* (1953) *[Afroyim v. Rusk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afroyim_v._Rusk "Afroyim v. Rusk")* (1967) *[Rogers v. Bellei](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogers_v._Bellei "Rogers v. Bellei")* (1971) *[Kleindienst v. Mandel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kleindienst_v._Mandel "Kleindienst v. Mandel")* (1972) *[United States v. Martinez-Fuerte](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Martinez-Fuerte "United States v. Martinez-Fuerte")* (1976) *[Fiallo v. Bell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiallo_v._Bell "Fiallo v. Bell")* (1977) *[Fedorenko v. United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fedorenko_v._United_States "Fedorenko v. United States")* (1981) *[Immigration and Naturalization Service v. St. Cyr](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_and_Naturalization_Service_v._St._Cyr "Immigration and Naturalization Service v. St. Cyr")* (2001) *[Arizona v. United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arizona_v._United_States "Arizona v. United States")* (2012) *[Kerry v. Din](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerry_v._Din "Kerry v. Din")* (2015) *[Trump v. Hawaii](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trump_v._Hawaii "Trump v. Hawaii")* (2018) *[Department of Homeland Security v. Thuraissigiam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Department_of_Homeland_Security_v._Thuraissigiam "Department of Homeland Security v. Thuraissigiam")* (2020) *[Department of State v. Muñoz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Department_of_State_v._Mu%C3%B1oz "Department of State v. Muñoz")* (2024) | | Related issues and events | [Protests](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Immigration-related_protests_in_the_United_States "Category:Immigration-related protests in the United States") [2006](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_United_States_immigration_reform_protests "2006 United States immigration reform protests") [Brooks County, Texas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooks_County,_Texas "Brooks County, Texas") [Central American migrant caravans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_American_migrant_caravans "Central American migrant caravans") [Crime](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegal_immigration_to_the_United_States_and_crime "Illegal immigration to the United States and crime") [Economic impact](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_impact_of_illegal_immigration_to_the_United_States "Economic impact of illegal immigration to the United States") [Effects](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_of_immigration_to_the_United_States "Effects of immigration to the United States") [Eugenics in the United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugenics_in_the_United_States "Eugenics in the United States") [Guest worker program](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guest_worker_program "Guest worker program") [Human trafficking](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_trafficking_in_the_United_States "Human trafficking in the United States") [Human smuggling](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_smuggling "People smuggling") [Coyotaje](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coyotaje "Coyotaje") [Immigration reduction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_reduction_in_the_United_States "Immigration reduction in the United States") [Immigration reform](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_reform "Immigration reform") [List of people deported from the United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_deported_or_removed_from_the_United_States "List of people deported or removed from the United States") [Mexico–United States border crisis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico%E2%80%93United_States_border_crisis "Mexico–United States border crisis") [Mexico–United States border wall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico%E2%80%93United_States_border_wall "Mexico–United States border wall") [Labor shortage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shortage#add_Labor_shortage "Shortage") [March for America](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_for_America "March for America") [Undocumented immigrant population](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Undocumented_immigrant_population_of_the_United_States "Undocumented immigrant population of the United States") [Reverse immigration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_immigration_in_the_United_States "Reverse immigration in the United States") [Unaccompanied minors from Central America](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_American_immigration_crisis "2014 American immigration crisis") [Illegal immigration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegal_immigration_to_the_United_States "Illegal immigration to the United States") [Immigration of Latinas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_of_Latinas_to_the_United_States "Immigration of Latinas to the United States") [Detention and deportation of American citizens in the second Trump administration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detention_and_deportation_of_American_citizens_in_the_second_Trump_administration "Detention and deportation of American citizens in the second Trump administration") [Policies of American labor unions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_policies_of_American_labor_unions "Immigration policies of American labor unions") [Afghan refugee crisis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghan_refugee_crisis "Afghan refugee crisis") Cuba [post-revolution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuban_post-revolution_exodus "Cuban post-revolution exodus") [2021–2023](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021%E2%80%932023_Cuban_migration_crisis "2021–2023 Cuban migration crisis") [Haitian refugee crisis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haitian_refugee_crisis "Haitian refugee crisis") [Venezuelan refugee crisis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venezuelan_refugee_crisis "Venezuelan refugee crisis") [Emigration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emigration_from_the_United_States "Emigration from the United States") [Internal migration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_migration "Internal migration") [Elián González](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eli%C3%A1n_Gonz%C3%A1lez "Elián González") [Migrant deaths along the Mexico–United States border](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Migrant_deaths_along_the_Mexico%E2%80%93United_States_border "Migrant deaths along the Mexico–United States border") [MS St. Louis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS_St._Louis "MS St. Louis") [Mexican Repatriation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_Repatriation "Mexican Repatriation") [Juan Crow](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Crow "Juan Crow") [Credible fear](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credible_fear "Credible fear") [Aging of the United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aging_of_the_United_States "Aging of the United States") Raids [Swift raids](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swift_raids "Swift raids") [Postville](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postville_raid "Postville raid") [2018 Southeastern Provisions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_Southeastern_Provisions_raid "2018 Southeastern Provisions raid") [2025 Camarillo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Camarillo_ICE_raid "2025 Camarillo ICE raid") [2025 Georgia Hyundai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Georgia_Hyundai_plant_immigration_raid "2025 Georgia Hyundai plant immigration raid") [Martha's Vineyard migrant airlift](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha%27s_Vineyard_migrant_airlift "Martha's Vineyard migrant airlift") | | Geography | [Mexico–United States border](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico%E2%80%93United_States_border "Mexico–United States border") [Canada–United States border](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada%E2%80%93United_States_border "Canada–United States border") [United States Border Patrol interior checkpoints](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Border_Patrol_interior_checkpoints "United States Border Patrol interior checkpoints") | | Proposed legislation | [DREAM Act (2001–2010)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DREAM_Act "DREAM Act") [H.R. 4437 (2005)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border_Protection,_Anti-terrorism_and_Illegal_Immigration_Control_Act_of_2005 "Border Protection, Anti-terrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005") [McCain–Kennedy (2005)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secure_America_and_Orderly_Immigration_Act "Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act") [Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act 2006](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comprehensive_Immigration_Reform_Act_of_2006 "Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006") [STRIVE Act (2007)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_Through_Regularized_Immigration_and_a_Vibrant_Economy_Act_of_2007 "Security Through Regularized Immigration and a Vibrant Economy Act of 2007") [Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act 2007](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comprehensive_Immigration_Reform_Act_of_2007 "Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007") [Uniting American Families Act (2000–2013)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniting_American_Families_Act "Uniting American Families Act") [Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border_Security,_Economic_Opportunity,_and_Immigration_Modernization_Act_of_2013 "Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013") [SAFE Act (2015)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_SAFE_Act_of_2015 "American SAFE Act of 2015") [RAISE Act (2017)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reforming_American_Immigration_for_Strong_Employment_Act "Reforming American Immigration for Strong Employment Act") [U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Citizenship_Act_of_2021 "U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021") | | Immigration stations and points of entry | [Angel Island](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel_Island_Immigration_Station "Angel Island Immigration Station") [Castle Garden](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_Clinton "Castle Clinton") [East Boston](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Boston_Immigration_Station "East Boston Immigration Station") [Ellis Island](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellis_Island "Ellis Island") [Otay Mesa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otay_Mesa_Port_of_Entry "Otay Mesa Port of Entry") [San Ysidro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Ysidro_Port_of_Entry "San Ysidro Port of Entry") [Sullivan's Island](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sullivan%27s_Island,_South_Carolina "Sullivan's Island, South Carolina") [Washington Avenue](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Avenue_Immigration_Station "Washington Avenue Immigration Station") | | Operations | ["Wetback" (1954)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Wetback "Operation Wetback") ["Passage to Freedom" (1954-1955)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Passage_to_Freedom "Operation Passage to Freedom") ["Peter Pan" (1960–1962)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Peter_Pan "Operation Peter Pan") ["Babylift" (1975)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Babylift "Operation Babylift") ["New Life" (1975)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_New_Life "Operation New Life") ["New Arrivals" (1975)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_New_Arrivals "Operation New Arrivals") ["Gatekeeper" (1994)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Gatekeeper "Operation Gatekeeper") ["Endgame" (2003–2012)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Endgame "Operation Endgame") ["Front Line" (2004–2005)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Front_Line "Operation Front Line") ["Streamline" (2005–present)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Streamline "Operation Streamline") ["Return to Sender" (2006–2007)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Return_to_Sender "Operation Return to Sender") ["Jump Start" (2006–2008)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Jump_Start "Operation Jump Start") ["Cross Check" (2011-present)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Cross_Check "Operation Cross Check") ["Phalanx" (2010–2016)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Phalanx_\(2010-2016\) "Operation Phalanx (2010-2016)") ["Faithful Patriot" (2018–present)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Faithful_Patriot "Operation Faithful Patriot") ["Lone Star" (2021–present)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Lone_Star "Operation Lone Star") ["Midway Blitz" (2025)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Midway_Blitz "Operation Midway Blitz") ["Safeguard"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Safeguard_\(United_States\) "Operation Safeguard (United States)") | | State legislation | [California DREAM Act (2006–2010)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_DREAM_Act "California DREAM Act") [Arizona SB 1070 (2010)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arizona_SB_1070 "Arizona SB 1070") [Alabama HB 56 (2011)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama_HB_56 "Alabama HB 56") | | Non-governmental organizations | [ACLU](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ACLU "ACLU") [American Immigration Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Immigration_Council "American Immigration Council") [Arizona Border Recon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arizona_Border_Recon "Arizona Border Recon") [California Coalition for Immigration Reform](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Coalition_for_Immigration_Reform "California Coalition for Immigration Reform") [CASA of Maryland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CASA_of_Maryland "CASA of Maryland") [Catholic Legal Immigration Network](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Legal_Immigration_Network "Catholic Legal Immigration Network") [Center for Immigration Studies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_for_Immigration_Studies "Center for Immigration Studies") [Center for Migration Studies of New York](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_for_Migration_Studies_of_New_York "Center for Migration Studies of New York") [Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coalition_for_Humane_Immigrant_Rights_of_Los_Angeles "Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles") [Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coalition_for_Comprehensive_Immigration_Reform "Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform") [Community Change](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_Change "Community Change") [Federation for American Immigration Reform](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federation_for_American_Immigration_Reform "Federation for American Immigration Reform") [Global Refuge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Refuge "Global Refuge") [Improve The Dream](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Improve_The_Dream "Improve The Dream") [Mexica Movement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexica_Movement "Mexica Movement") [Mexicans Without Borders](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexicans_Without_Borders "Mexicans Without Borders") [Migration Policy Institute](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Migration_Policy_Institute "Migration Policy Institute") [Minuteman Civil Defense Corps](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minuteman_Civil_Defense_Corps "Minuteman Civil Defense Corps") [Minuteman Project](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minuteman_Project "Minuteman Project") [National Immigration Law Center](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Immigration_Law_Center "National Immigration Law Center") [National Immigration Forum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Immigration_Forum "National Immigration Forum") [National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Korean_American_Service_%26_Education_Consortium "National Korean American Service & Education Consortium") [Negative Population Growth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negative_Population_Growth "Negative Population Growth") [No More Deaths](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_More_Deaths "No More Deaths") [NumbersUSA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NumbersUSA "NumbersUSA") [Save Our State](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Save_Our_State "Save Our State") [Utah Compact](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_Compact "Utah Compact") [Haitian Bridge Alliance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haitian_Bridge_Alliance "Haitian Bridge Alliance") [HIAS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIAS "HIAS") | | Documentaries | [Borderland (TV series)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borderland_\(TV_series\) "Borderland (TV series)") *[Missing in Brooks County](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missing_in_Brooks_County "Missing in Brooks County")* | | [v](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Permanent_residency_by_country "Template:Permanent residency by country") [t](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template_talk:Permanent_residency_by_country "Template talk:Permanent residency by country") [e](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Permanent_residency_by_country "Special:EditPage/Template:Permanent residency by country")Permanent residency by country | | |---|---| | Americas | [![Canada](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d9/Flag_of_Canada_%28Pantone%29.svg/40px-Flag_of_Canada_%28Pantone%29.svg.png)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada "Canada") [Canada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_permanent_resident_card "Canada permanent resident card") [![United States](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a4/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg/40px-Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States "United States") [United States]() | | Asia | [![China](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fa/Flag_of_the_People%27s_Republic_of_China.svg/40px-Flag_of_the_People%27s_Republic_of_China.svg.png)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China "China") [China](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_to_China#Legal_immigration_and_permanent_residency "Immigration to China") [![Hong Kong](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5b/Flag_of_Hong_Kong.svg/40px-Flag_of_Hong_Kong.svg.png)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong "Hong Kong") [Hong Kong](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_of_abode_in_Hong_Kong "Right of abode in Hong Kong") [![Singapore](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/48/Flag_of_Singapore.svg/40px-Flag_of_Singapore.svg.png)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore "Singapore") [Singapore](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permanent_residency_in_Singapore "Permanent residency in Singapore") [![Taiwan](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/72/Flag_of_the_Republic_of_China.svg/40px-Flag_of_the_Republic_of_China.svg.png)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiwan "Taiwan") [Taiwan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resident_certificate "Resident certificate") [![United Arab Emirates](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/Flag_of_the_United_Arab_Emirates.svg/40px-Flag_of_the_United_Arab_Emirates.svg.png)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Arab_Emirates "United Arab Emirates") [United Arab Emirates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emirati_nationality_law#Permanent_residency "Emirati nationality law") | | Europe | [![United Kingdom](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a5/Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom_%281-2%29.svg/40px-Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom_%281-2%29.svg.png)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom "United Kingdom") [United Kingdom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indefinite_leave_to_remain "Indefinite leave to remain") | | Oceania | [![Australia](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/Flag_of_Australia_%28converted%29.svg/40px-Flag_of_Australia_%28converted%29.svg.png)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia "Australia") [Australia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_permanent_resident "Australian permanent resident") [![Cook Islands](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/35/Flag_of_the_Cook_Islands.svg/40px-Flag_of_the_Cook_Islands.svg.png)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cook_Islands "Cook Islands") [Cook Island](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cook_Islands_permanent_residency "Cook Islands permanent residency") [![New Zealand](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/Flag_of_New_Zealand.svg/40px-Flag_of_New_Zealand.svg.png)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand "New Zealand") [New Zealand](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_permanent_residency "New Zealand permanent residency") | | [Authority control databases](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Authority_control "Help:Authority control") [![Edit this at Wikidata](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8a/OOjs_UI_icon_edit-ltr-progressive.svg/20px-OOjs_UI_icon_edit-ltr-progressive.svg.png)](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6676995#identifiers "Edit this at Wikidata") | | |---|---| | National | [United States](https://id.loc.gov/authorities/sh96004809) [Israel](https://www.nli.org.il/en/authorities/987007551648205171) | | Other | [Yale LUX](https://lux.collections.yale.edu/view/concept/b6cf98e2-a989-4a24-b01a-b040640522eb) | ![](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:CentralAutoLogin/start?useformat=desktop&type=1x1&usesul3=1) Retrieved from "<https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&oldid=1343094139>" [Categories](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Category "Help:Category"): - [1940 establishments in the United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:1940_establishments_in_the_United_States 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| United States permanent resident card | | |---|---| | [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/2023_green_card_front.jpg/250px-2023_green_card_front.jpg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:2023_green_card_front.jpg) | | | [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b6/2023_green_card_back.jpg/250px-2023_green_card_back.jpg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:2023_green_card_back.jpg)Sample of a Permanent Resident Card (often called a "green card") of the United States (2023) | | | Type | [Personal identification document](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identity_document "Identity document") | | Issued by | ![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e2/Flag_of_the_United_States_%28Pantone%29.svg/40px-Flag_of_the_United_States_%28Pantone%29.svg.png) [United States Citizenship and Immigration Services](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Citizenship_and_Immigration_Services "United States Citizenship and Immigration Services") | | Purpose | [Identification](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identity_document "Identity document") | | Expiration | 10 years (standard) 2 years (conditional) | A **green card**, known officially as a **permanent resident card**, is an [identity document](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identity_document "Identity document") which shows that a person has [permanent residency](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permanent_residency "Permanent residency") in the [United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States "United States").[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-section_1101\(a\)\(20\)-1)[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-LPR-2) Green card holders are formally known as **lawful permanent residents** (**LPRs**). As of 2024, there are an estimated 12.8 million green card holders, of whom almost 9 million are eligible to become [United States citizens](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizenship_of_the_United_States "Citizenship of the United States").[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-3) Approximately 18,700 of them serve in the [U.S. Armed Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Armed_Forces "United States Armed Forces").[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-Dowd-4) Green card holders are statutorily entitled to apply for U.S. citizenship after showing by a [preponderance of the evidence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burden_of_proof_\(law\)#Preponderance_of_the_evidence "Burden of proof (law)") that they, among other things, have continuously resided in the United States for one to five years and are persons of [good moral character](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_moral_character "Good moral character").[\[5\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-naturalization-5)[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-Al-Sharif_v._USCIS-6) Those who are younger than 18 years old automatically receive U.S. citizenship if they have at least one U.S. citizen parent.[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-American-7)[\[8\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-8) The card is known as a "green card" because of its historical [greenish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shades_of_green "Shades of green") color.[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-9)[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-10) It was formerly called a "certificate of alien registration", "Resident Alien Card" or an "alien registration receipt card".[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-Campos_v._United_States-11) A holder of a green card must carry it with them at all times.[\[12\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-12) Green card [applications](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#Application_process) are decided by the [United States Citizenship and Immigration Services](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Citizenship_and_Immigration_Services "United States Citizenship and Immigration Services") (USCIS), but in some cases an [immigration judge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_Judge_\(United_States\) "Immigration Judge (United States)") or a member of the [Board of Immigration Appeals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Board_of_Immigration_Appeals "Board of Immigration Appeals") (BIA), acting on behalf of the [U.S. attorney general](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Attorney_General "United States Attorney General"), may grant [permanent residency](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permanent_residency "Permanent residency") in the course of [removal proceedings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Removal_proceedings "Removal proceedings"). Any authorized [federal judge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_federal_judge "United States federal judge") may do the same by signing and issuing an [injunction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Injunction "Injunction").[\[13\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-13) Immigrant workers who would like to obtain a green card can apply using form I-140.[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-14)\[*[verification needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability "Wikipedia:Verifiability")*\] An LPR could become "removable" from the United States after suffering a criminal [conviction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conviction "Conviction"),[\[15\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-removable-15) especially if it involved a [particularly serious crime](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Particularly_serious_crime "Particularly serious crime") or an [aggravated felony](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aggravated_felony "Aggravated felony") "for which the term of [imprisonment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imprisonment "Imprisonment") was completed within the previous 15 years".[\[16\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-aggravated_felony-16)\[*[verification needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability "Wikipedia:Verifiability")*\] [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4d/OriginalGreenCard.jpg/250px-OriginalGreenCard.jpg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:OriginalGreenCard.jpg) A 1949 "alien registration receipt card" of a female [immigrant](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/immigrant#English "wikt:immigrant"), which was issued by the now-abolished [Immigration and Naturalization Service](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_and_Naturalization_Service "Immigration and Naturalization Service") (INS) under the [Nationality Act of 1940](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationality_Act_of_1940 "Nationality Act of 1940") The [Immigration and Naturalization Service](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_and_Naturalization_Service "Immigration and Naturalization Service") was formed as part of the Department of Labor in 1933, and in 1940 was moved under the Department of Justice along with the [Nationality Act of 1940](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationality_Act_of_1940 "Nationality Act of 1940"). During the 1940s the predecessor to the "Permanent Resident" card was the "Alien Registration Receipt Card" which on the back would indicate "Perm.Res" in accordance with the [Immigration Act of 1924](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_Act_of_1924 "Immigration Act of 1924"). The INA, which was enacted by the [U.S. Congress](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Congress "United States Congress") in 1952, states that "\[t\]he term '[alien](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_\(law\)#United_States "Alien (law)")' means any person, not a [citizen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizenship_of_the_United_States "Citizenship of the United States") or [national of the United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_of_the_United_States "National of the United States")."[\[17\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-alien-17) ### Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=2 "Edit section: Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act")\] On September 30, 1996, President Clinton signed into law the [Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegal_Immigration_Reform_and_Immigrant_Responsibility_Act_of_1996 "Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996") (IIRIRA).[\[18\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-Othi_v._Holder-18) [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b1/Lennon%27s_Green_Card.jpg/250px-Lennon%27s_Green_Card.jpg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lennon%27s_Green_Card.jpg) A 1976 card issued by the INS to [John Lennon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lennon "John Lennon"), stating the following: "This is to certify that \[Lennon\] has been duly registered according to [law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_and_Nationality_Act "Immigration and Nationality Act") and was admitted to the United States as an immigrant." [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3a/US_Permanent_Resident_Card_2010-05-11.JPG/250px-US_Permanent_Resident_Card_2010-05-11.JPG)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:US_Permanent_Resident_Card_2010-05-11.JPG) Permanent resident card (2010) An LPR can file an [application for naturalization](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Form_N-400 "Form N-400") after five years of continuous residency in the United States.[\[5\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-naturalization-5)[\[19\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-19) This period may be shortened to three years if married to a U.S. citizen[\[20\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-20) or one year during service with the U.S. armed forces.[\[21\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-21) An LPR may submit their applications for naturalization as early as 90 days before meeting the residency requirement. In addition to continuous residency, the applicants must demonstrate [good moral character](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_moral_character "Good moral character"), pass both an English test and a civics test, and demonstrate attachment to the [U.S. Constitution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_the_United_States "Constitution of the United States"). In the summer of 2018, a new program was initiated to help LPRs prepare themselves for naturalization.[\[22\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-22)[\[23\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-auto-23) Like U.S. citizens, LPRs can sponsor certain family members to immigrate to the United States, but the number of family members of LPRs who can immigrate is limited by an annual cap, and there is a years-long backlog.[\[24\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-24)[\[25\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-25)[\[26\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-26) ### 2019 "public charge" restrictions on awarding Green cards \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=3 "Edit section: 2019 \"public charge\" restrictions on awarding Green cards")\] On August 12, 2019, [U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Citizenship_and_Immigration_Services "United States Citizenship and Immigration Services") (USCIS) formally announced a new rule restricting poorer immigrants from attaining LPR status. Under the rule, which was slated to take effect on October 15, 2019, legal immigrants who have received public benefits such as [Supplemental Security Income](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supplemental_Security_Income "Supplemental Security Income"), [Temporary Assistance for Needy Families](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temporary_Assistance_for_Needy_Families "Temporary Assistance for Needy Families"), the [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supplemental_Nutrition_Assistance_Program "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program"), [Medicaid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicaid "Medicaid"), and public housing assistance for more than a total of twelve months may be classified as a "public charge" ineligible for permanent residency.[\[27\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-:10-27) Immigration official may investigate the health, income, wealth, education, and family of applicants for permanent residency to predict whether they will become a public charge in the future.[\[28\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-:11-28) The term "public charge" appears in the Immigration and Nationality Act, but is not defined by the law. Refugees, asylum seekers, pregnant women, children, and family members of those serving in the Armed Forces are excluded from the restrictions.[\[27\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-:10-27) The Trump administration estimated that 58% of households headed by non-citizens use a public welfare program and half use Medicaid.[\[29\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-29) The Migration Policy Institute estimated that half of all Green Card applicants would be excluded by the rule.[\[27\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-:10-27) [Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Cuccinelli "Ken Cuccinelli"), the former acting director of USCIS, stated the policy will "have the long-term benefit of protecting taxpayers by ensuring people who are immigrating to this country don't become public burdens, that they can stand on their own two feet, as immigrants in years past have done."[\[27\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-:10-27) The National Immigration Law Center stated that the rule "will have a dire humanitarian impact, forcing some families to forgo critical lifesaving health care and nutrition. The damage will be felt for decades to come."[\[28\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-:11-28) The law center announced it would sue to prevent the policy from taking effect.[\[27\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-:10-27) During his campaign for [President of the United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_the_United_States "President of the United States"), [Joe Biden](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Biden "Joe Biden") criticized the Public Charge rule and pledged to revoke it.[\[30\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-30) On February 2, 2021, President Biden signed an executive order that the [U.S. Department of Homeland Security](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Department_of_Homeland_Security "U.S. Department of Homeland Security") review the policy, amongst others.[\[31\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-31) In 2025, president Donald Trump began deportation proceedings against permanent residents [Mahmoud Khalil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detention_of_Mahmoud_Khalil "Detention of Mahmoud Khalil"), [Yunseo Chung](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yunseo_Chung "Yunseo Chung") and [Mohsen Mahdawi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detention_of_Mohsen_Mahdawi "Detention of Mohsen Mahdawi") related to political activism.[\[32\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-32) ## Types of immigration \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=4 "Edit section: Types of immigration")\] A foreign national may obtain [permanent residency](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permanent_residency "Permanent residency") in the United States primarily through the following:[\[33\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-33)[\[34\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-34)[\[23\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-auto-23) - Sponsorship by a family member - Employment (immigrant workers and investors) - Apply as a special immigrant (religious worker) - Apply as human trafficking and crime victims - Apply as victims of abuse - Other categories (e.g. Diversity Visa) - Through registry (For certain people who have resided continuously in the U.S. since before Jan. 1, 1972) ### Immigration eligibility and quotas \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=5 "Edit section: Immigration eligibility and quotas")\] | Category | Eligibility | Annual quotac | Immigrant visa backlog[\[35\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-visabulletin-35) | |---|---|---|---| | **Family-sponsored** | | | | | IR | Immediate relative (spouse, children under 21 years of age, and parents) of U.S. citizens (U.S. citizens must be at least 21 years of age in order to sponsor their parents.) | No numerical limita | | | F1 | Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age or older) of U.S. citizens | 23,400 | 7 – 20 yearsb | | F2A | Spouse and minor children (under 21 years of age) of lawful permanent residents | 87,934 | 3 – 4 yearsb | | F2B | Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age or older) of permanent residents | 26,266[\[36\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-36) | 8 – 19 yearsb | | F3 | Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens | 23,400 | 13 – 24 yearsb | | F4 | Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens | 65,000 | 17 – 24 yearsb | | **Employment-based**c | | | | | [EB-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EB-1_visa "EB-1 visa") | Priority workers. There are three sub-groups: 1. Foreign nationals with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics; 2. Foreign nationals that are outstanding professors or researchers with at least three years' experience in teaching or research and who are recognized internationally; 3. Foreign nationals that are managers and executives subject to international transfer to the United States. | 41,455[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-visa-bulletin-2012-sep-37) | currently available – 3 yearsb | | [EB-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EB-2_visa "EB-2 visa") | Professionals holding advanced degrees (Ph.D., master's degree, or at least five years of progressive post-baccalaureate experience) or persons of exceptional ability in sciences, arts, or business | 41,455[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-visa-bulletin-2012-sep-37) | 1 year – 12 yearsb | | [EB-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EB-3_visa "EB-3 visa") | Skilled workers, professionals, and other workers | 41,455[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-visa-bulletin-2012-sep-37) | 2 years – 12 yearsb | | EB-4 | Certain special immigrants: ministers, religious workers, current or former U.S. government workers, etc. | 10,291[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-visa-bulletin-2012-sep-37) | 4 yearsb | | [EB-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EB-5_visa "EB-5 visa") | Investors, for investing either \$900,000 in rural projects creating over 10 American jobs or \$1.8 million[\[38\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-38) in other developments[\[39\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-39) | 10,291[\[37\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-visa-bulletin-2012-sep-37) | currently available – 11 years (China-born individuals)b | | **[Diversity immigrant (DV)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity_Immigrant_Visa "Diversity Immigrant Visa")** | 55,000b | | | | **Refugee (includes asylum seekers)** | 125,000 | | | | a 300,000–500,000 immediate relatives admitted annually. **b No more than 7 percent of the visas may be issued to natives of any one country. Currently, individuals from China (mainland), India, Mexico and the Philippines are subject to per-country quotas in most of the categories, and the waiting time may take longer (up to 11 years).[\[35\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-visabulletin-35)[\[40\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-40)** c Spouses and minor children (under 21) may apply for immigrant visa adjudication with their spouse or parent. The quotas include not only the principal applicants but also their derivatives. | | | | ## Application process \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=6 "Edit section: Application process")\] [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2a/USANewImmigrantGuide.jpg/250px-USANewImmigrantGuide.jpg)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:USANewImmigrantGuide.jpg) A welcome guide USCIS sends to a new immigrant along with their green card after immigration approval Applications for permanent resident cards (green cards) were decided by the [Immigration and Naturalization Service](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_and_Naturalization_Service "Immigration and Naturalization Service") (INS) until 2003 when the INS was abolished and replaced by the current [Department of Homeland Security](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_Homeland_Security "United States Department of Homeland Security") (DHS).[\[41\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-41) The whole process may take several years, depending on the type of immigrant category and the [country of chargeability](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_state_of_chargeability "Foreign state of chargeability"). An immigrant usually has to go through a three-step process to get permanent residency:[\[42\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-:0-42) 1. **Immigrant petition** ([Form I-140](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Form_I-140 "Form I-140") or [Form I-130](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Form_I-130 "Form I-130")) – in the first step, USCIS approves the immigrant petition by a qualifying relative, an employer, or in rare cases, such as with an investor visa, the applicant themself. If a sibling is applying, they must have the same parents as the applicant. 2. **Immigrant visa availability** – in the second step, unless the applicant is an "immediate relative", an immigrant visa number through the National Visa Center (NVC)[\[43\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-43) of the [United States Department of State](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_State "United States Department of State") (DOS) must be available. A visa number might not be immediately available even if the USCIS approves the petition, because the number of immigrant visa numbers is limited every year by quotas set in the [Immigration and Nationality Act](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_and_Nationality_Act_of_1965 "Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965") (INA). There are also certain additional limitations by [country of chargeability](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Country_of_chargeability "Country of chargeability"). Thus, most immigrants will be placed on lengthy waiting lists. Those immigrants who are immediate relatives of a U.S. citizen (spouses and children under 21 years of age, and parents of a U.S. citizen who is 21 years of age or older) are not subject to these quotas and may proceed to the next step immediately, since they qualify for the IR immigrant category.[\[42\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-:0-42) 3. **Immigrant visa adjudication** – in the third step, when an immigrant visa number becomes available, the applicant must either apply with USCIS to adjust their current status to permanent resident status or apply with the DOS for an immigrant visa at the nearest U.S. consulate before being allowed to come to the United States. - **[Adjustment of status](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adjustment_of_status "Adjustment of status") (AOS)** – Adjustment of status is for when the immigrant is in the United States and entered the U.S. legally. Except for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens, the immigrant must also be in legal status at the time of applying for adjustment of status. For immediate relatives and other relative categories whose visa numbers are current, adjustment of status can be filed for at the same time with the petition (step 1 above). Adjustment of status is submitted to USCIS via [form I-485](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adjustment_of_status "Adjustment of status"), *Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status*.[\[44\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-44) The USCIS conducts a series of background checks, including fingerprinting for FBI criminal background check and name checks, and makes a decision on the application. Once the adjustment of status application is accepted, the alien is allowed to stay in the United States even if the original period of authorized stay on the [Form I-94](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Form_I-94 "Form I-94") is expired, but they are generally not allowed to leave the country until the application is approved, or the application will be abandoned. If the alien has to leave the United States during this time, they can apply for travel documents at the USCIS with [form I-131](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advance_parole "Advance parole"), also called *Advance parole*.[\[45\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-45) If there is a potential risk that the applicant's work permit (visa) will expire or become invalid, such as when employees are laid off by the employer and visa sponsor, or the applicant wants to start working in the United States, while they are waiting for the decision about their application to change status, they can file [form I-765](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Employment_authorization_document "Employment authorization document"), to get *[Employment Authorization Documents](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Employment_authorization_document "Employment authorization document")* (also called *EAD*) and be able to continue or start working legally in the United States.[\[46\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-46)[\[47\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-47) In some cases, the applicant will be interviewed at a USCIS office, especially if it is a marriage-based adjustment from a [K-1 visa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-1_visa "K-1 visa"), in which case both spouses (the US citizen and the applicant) will be interviewed by the USCIS. If the application is approved, the alien becomes an LPR, and the actual green card is mailed to the alien's last known mailing address.[\[42\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-:0-42) - **Consular processing** – This is the process if the immigrant is outside the United States, or is ineligible for AOS. It still requires the immigrant visa petition to be first completed and approved. The applicant may make an appointment at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country, where a consular officer adjudicates the case. If the case is approved, an immigrant visa is issued by the U.S. embassy or consulate. The visa entitles the holder to travel to the United States as an immigrant. At the port of entry, the immigrant visa holder immediately becomes a permanent resident, and is processed for a permanent resident card and receives an I-551 stamp in their passport. The permanent resident card is mailed to their U.S. address within 120 days. An applicant in the United States can obtain two permits while the case is pending after a certain stage is passed in green card processing (filing of I-485). - The first is a temporary work permit known as the [Employment Authorization Document](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Employment_Authorization_Document "Employment Authorization Document") (EAD), which allows the alien to take employment in the United States. - The second is a temporary travel document, [advance parole](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advance_parole "Advance parole"), which allows the alien to re-enter the United States. Both permits confer benefits that are independent of any existing status granted to the alien. For example, the alien might already have permission to work in the United States under an [H-1B visa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H-1B_visa "H-1B visa"). U.S. citizens may sponsor for permanent residence in the United States the following relatives: 1. Spouses, and unmarried children under the age of 21; 2. Parents (once the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old); 3. Unmarried children over the age of 21 (called "sons and daughters"); 4. Married sons and daughters; 5. Brothers and sisters (once the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old). U.S. nationals and permanent residents may sponsor for permanent residence in the United States the following relatives: 1. Spouses, and unmarried children under the age of 21; 2. Unmarried children over the age of 21 (called "sons and daughters"); The Department of State's "Visa Bulletin", issued every month, gives the priority date for those petition beneficiaries currently entitled to apply for immigrant status through immigrant visas or adjustment of status.[\[35\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-visabulletin-35) There is no annual quota for the spouses, unmarried children, and parents of U.S. citizens, so there is no waiting period for these applicants—just the required processing time. However, all other family-based categories have significant backlogs, even with a U.S. citizen petitioner. Regardless of whether the family member being sponsored is located in the United States (and therefore likely to be applying for adjustment of status) or outside the United States (in which case the immigrant visa is the likely option), the process begins with the filing of an I-130 Petition for Alien Relative. The form and instructions can be found on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.[\[48\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-48) Required later in the process will be additional biographic data regarding the beneficiary (the person being sponsored) and a medical examination. Additional documents, such as police certificates, may be required depending on whether immigrant visa (consular processing) or adjustment of status is being utilized.[\[49\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-49) All petitioners must supply the I-864 Affidavit of Support.[\[50\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-50) ### Application process for undocumented immigrants through registry provision \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=8 "Edit section: Application process for undocumented immigrants through registry provision")\] Moreover, applicants who are in the United States unlawfully may be eligible to receive a green card under a sole exception. For an undocumented immigrant to be granted permanent residency they must abide by the registry date and eligibility criteria. The registry provision date was first developed in 1929 with the intention to aid in the growing number of undocumented immigrants.[\[51\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-51) Essentially, only immigrants who entered the United States before a certain date (registry date) qualify to receive a green card. Other parameters include continued stay since entering the country and good moral character. [Congress](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Congress "United States Congress") advanced the registry date a total of four times after being created in 1929. First set to only grant residency to individuals who entered the country before or on June 3, 1921, the date was then moved to July 1, 1924, further to July 1, 1940, once more to June 30, 1948, and finally to January 1, 1972.[\[52\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-52) The last advancement date comprised the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) along with other regularization provisions which included penalizing institutions that knowingly employed undocumented aliens.[\[53\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-53) This was done through a set of congressional amendments that culminated in 1958 Act, where the requirement for non-citizens to be eligible only if they are not subject to deportation was removed.[\[54\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-54) Since then the registry date has not been advanced despite the number of immigrants increasing by 10 million and a total of 385 individuals have been granted a green card since the last registry update in 1986.[\[55\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-55) Currently the provision date only excludes non-citizens that are inadmissible to the United States on criminal or national-security grounds. The updated and current eligibility requirements for registry are as follows: - You entered the United States prior to Jan. 1, 1972 - You have resided in the United States continuously since you entered - You are a person of good moral character - You are not ineligible for naturalization (citizenship) - You are not removable (deportable) under Section 237(a)(4)(B) of the [Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_and_Nationality_Act_of_1965 "Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965"). \* You are not inadmissible under Section 212(a)(3)(E) of the INA or as a criminal, procurer, other immoral person, subversive, violator of the narcotics laws or noncitizen smuggler[\[56\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-56) #### Green-card holders and families \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=9 "Edit section: Green-card holders and families")\] Green-card holders married to non-U.S. citizens are able to legally bring their spouses and minor children to join them in the US,[\[57\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-57) but must wait for their priority date to become current. The foreign spouse of a green-card holder must wait for approval of an "immigrant visa" from the State Department before entering the United States. Due to numerical limitation on the number of these visas, the wait time for approval may be months or years. In the interim, the spouse cannot be legally present in the United States, unless they secure a visa by some other means. Green-card holders may petition for permanent residency for their spouse and children.[\[58\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-58) U.S. green-card holders have experienced separation from their families, sometimes for years. A mechanism to unite families of green-card holders was created by the LIFE Act by the introduction of a "[V visa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_visa "V visa")", signed into law by [President Clinton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Clinton "Bill Clinton"). The law expired on December 31, 2000, and V visas are no longer available. Several bills have been introduced in Congress to reinstate V visas, but so far none have been successful. #### Improving the application process in obtaining a green card \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=10 "Edit section: Improving the application process in obtaining a green card")\] The most common challenges that USCIS faces in providing services in the green card process are: (1) the length of the application and approval process, and (2) the quotas of green cards granted. USCIS tries to shorten the time qualified applicants wait to receive permanent residence. ##### Challenges with processing time of application \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=11 "Edit section: Challenges with processing time of application")\] Under the current system, immediate family members (spouse, child, and dependent mother and father), have priority status for green cards and generally wait 6 months to a year to have their green card application approved. For non-immediate family members, the process may take up to 10 years.\[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")*\] Paperwork is processed on a first-come, first-served basis, so new applications may go untouched for several months. To address the issue of slow processing times, USCIS has made a policy allowing applicants to submit the I-130 and I-485 forms at the same time. This has reduced the processing time. Another delay in the process comes when applications have mistakes. In these cases papers are sent back to the applicant, further delaying the process. Currently the largest cause of long wait times is not processing time, but rather immigrant visa quotas set by Congress.[\[59\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-59) ##### Quota system challenges \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=12 "Edit section: Quota system challenges")\] Because of numerical quotas in many immigration categories, long wait times often prevent immigrants from receiving immigrant visas in a short time frame. The *Augusta Chronicle* in 2006 stated that an estimated two million people are on waiting lists in anticipation to become legal and permanent residents of the United States. Immigrants need visas to get off of these waiting lists, and Congress would need to change immigration law in order to accommodate them with legal status.\[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")*\] The number of green cards that can be granted to family-based applicants depends on what preference category they fall under. An unlimited number of immediate relatives can receive green cards because there is no quota for that category. Family members who fall under the other various preference categories have fixed quotas; however, the number of visas issued from each category may vary because unused visas from one category may roll over into another category.[\[60\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-60) ### Application process for employment-based visa \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=13 "Edit section: Application process for employment-based visa")\] Many immigrants opt for this route, which typically requires an employer to "sponsor" (i.e., to petition before USCIS) the immigrant (known as the *alien beneficiary*) through a presumed future job (in some special categories, the applicant may apply on their behalf without a sponsor). The three-step process outlined above is described here in more detail for employment-based immigration applications. After the process is complete, the alien is expected to take the certified job offered by the employer to substantiate their immigrant status, since the application ultimately rests on the alien's employment with that company in that particular position. As of Q2 in FY2025, standard processing to get an employer-sponsored green card took an average of 1,256 days—roughly 3.5 years—an increase of 18 months since 2016, and the longest time on record.[\[61\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-61) 1. **Immigrant petition** – the first step includes the pre-requisite [Permanent Labor Certification](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permanent_Labor_Certification "Permanent Labor Certification") upon which the actual petition will reside. - **Permanent Labor Certification** – the employer must legally prove that it has a need to hire an alien for a specific position and that there is no minimally qualified U.S. citizen or LPR available to fill that position, hence the reason for hiring the alien. Some of the requirements to prove this situation include: proof of advertising for the specific position; skill requirements particular to the job; verification of the prevailing wage for a position; and the employer's ability to pay. This is currently done through an electronic system known as [PERM](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permanent_Labor_Certification "Permanent Labor Certification").[\[62\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-62) The date when the Permanent Labor Certification application is filed becomes the applicant's *[priority date](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priority_date "Priority date")*. In some cases, for highly skilled foreign nationals (EB1 and EB2 *National Interest Waiver*, e.g. researchers, athletes, artists or business executives) and "Schedule A" labor[\[63\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-63) (nurses and physical therapists), this step is waived. This step is processed by the [United States Department of Labor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_Labor "United States Department of Labor") (DOL). The Permanent Labor Certification is valid for 6 months from the time it is approved. - **Immigrant petition** – the employer applies on the alien's behalf to obtain a visa number. The application is form I-140, *Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers*,[\[64\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-64) and it is processed by the USCIS. There are several EB (*employment-based*) immigrant categories (i.e., EB1-EA, EB2-NIW, EB5)[\[65\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-65) under which the alien may apply, with progressively stricter requirements, but often shorter waiting times. Many of the applications are processed under the EB3 category.[\[66\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-66) Currently, this process takes up to 6 months. Many of the EB categories allow expedited processing of this stage, known as "premium processing". 2. **Immigrant visa availability**. When the immigrant petition is approved by the USCIS, the petition is forwarded to the NVC for visa allocation. Currently this step centers around the [priority date](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priority_date "Priority date") concept. - **Priority date** – the visa becomes available when the applicant's *[priority date](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priority_date "Priority date")* is earlier than the *cutoff date* announced on the DOS's Visa Bulletin or when the immigrant visa category the applicant is assigned to is announced as "current". A "current" designation indicates that visa numbers are available to all applicants in the corresponding immigrant category. Petitions with priority dates earlier than the cutoff date are expected to have visas available, therefore those applicants are eligible for final adjudication. When the NVC determines that a visa number could be available for a particular immigrant petition, a visa is tentatively allocated to the applicant. The NVC will send a letter stating that the applicant may be eligible for adjustment of status, and requiring the applicant to choose either to adjust status with the USCIS directly, or apply at the U.S. consulate abroad. This waiting process determines when the applicant can expect the immigration case to be adjudicated. Due to quotas imposed on EB visa categories, there are more approved immigrant petitions than visas available under INA. High demand for visas has created a backlog of approved but unadjudicated cases. In addition, due to processing inefficiencies throughout DOS and USCIS systems, not all visas available under the quota system in a given year were allocated to applicants by the DOS. 3. **Immigrant visa adjudication**. When the NVC determines that an immigrant visa is available, the case can be adjudicated. If the alien is already in the US, that alien has a choice to finalize the green card process via adjustment of status in the U.S., or via consular processing abroad. If the alien is outside of the United States they can only apply for an immigrant visa at the U.S. consulate. The USCIS does not allow an alien to pursue consular processing and AOS simultaneously. Prior to filing the form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) it is required that the applicant have a *medical examination* performed by a USCIS-approved [civil surgeon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_surgeon "Civil surgeon"). The examination includes a blood test and specific immunizations, unless the applicant provides proof that the required immunizations were already done elsewhere. The civil surgeon hands the applicant a sealed envelope containing a completed form I-693, which must be included unopened with the I-485 application.[\[67\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-67) - **Adjustment of status (AOS)** – after the alien has a Permanent Labor Certification and has been provisionally allocated a visa number, the final step is to change their status to permanent residency. [Adjustment of status](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adjustment_of_status "Adjustment of status") is submitted to USCIS via form I-485, *Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status*. If an immigrant visa number is available, the USCIS will allow *"concurrent filing"*: it will accept forms I-140 and I-485 submitted in the same package or will accept form I-485 even before the approval of the I-140. - **Consular processing** – this is an alternative to AOS, but still requires the immigrant visa petition to be completed. Prior to 2005, this process was somewhat faster than applying for AOS, so was sometimes used to circumvent long backlogs (of over two years in some cases). However, due to recent efficiency improvements by the USCIS, it is not clear whether applying via consular processing is faster than the regular AOS process. Consular processing is also thought to be riskier since there is no or very little recourse for appeal if the officer denies the application. Each year, up to 55,000 immigrant visas are made available through the Diversity Visa (DV) program, also known as the [Green Card Lottery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Card_Lottery "Green Card Lottery"), to people who were born in countries with low rates of [immigration to the United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_to_the_United_States "Immigration to the United States")[\[68\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-:1-68) (fewer than 50,000 immigrants in the past five years). Applicants can only qualify by [country of chargeability](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Country_of_chargeability "Country of chargeability"), not by citizenship.[\[68\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-:1-68) Anyone who is selected under this lottery will be given the opportunity to apply for permanent residence. They can also file for their spouse and any unmarried children under the age of 21. If permanent residence is granted, the winner (and their family, if applicable) receives an immigrant visa in their passport(s) that has to be "activated" within six months of issuance at any port of entry to the United States. If already in the U.S. adjustment of status may be pursued. The new immigrant receives a stamp on the visa as proof of lawful admittance to the United States, and the individual is now authorized to live and work permanently in the United States. Finally, the actual "green card" typically arrives by mail within a few months. In December 2025, the lottery was suspended.[\[69\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-69) #### Green card lottery scams \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=15 "Edit section: Green card lottery scams")\] There is a growing number[\[70\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-70) of fraudulent green card lottery [scams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confidence_trick "Confidence trick"), in which false agents take money from applicants by promising to submit application forms for them. Most agents are not working for the distribution service. Some claim that they can increase the chance of winning the lottery, when in fact, they may delay or not submit the application. Likewise, some claim to provide to winners free airline tickets or other benefits, such as submissions in future years or cash funds. There is no way to guarantee their claims, and there are numerous nefarious reasons for them not to fulfill their promises. Applicants are advised to use only official U.S. government websites, in which the [URL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/URL "URL") ends in [.gov](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.gov ".gov"). #### Green card lottery e-mail fraud \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=16 "Edit section: Green card lottery e-mail fraud")\] Other fraud perpetrators will e-mail potential victims posing as State Department or other government officials with requests to wire or transfer money online as part of a "processing fee". These fraudulent e-mails are designed to steal money from unsuspecting victims. The senders often use illegitimate e-mail addresses and logos designed to make them look more like official government correspondence. One easy way to tell that an email address is fraudulent is that it does not end with ".gov". One particularly common fraud email asks potential victims to wire money via [Western Union](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Union "Western Union") to an individual (the name varies) at the following address in the United Kingdom: 24 Grosvenor Square, London. These emails come from a variety of email addresses designed to impersonate the U.S. State Department. The USCIS blog has published information on this email scam and how to report fraudulent emails to the authorities.[\[71\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-71) The U.S. government has issued warnings about this type of fraud or similar business practices.[\[72\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-72)[\[73\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-73)[\[74\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-74) ### Inadmissibility Based on Political Affiliation \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=17 "Edit section: Inadmissibility Based on Political Affiliation")\] On October 2, 2020, the USCIS declared the inadmissibility based on belonging or affiliation to [Communist parties](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communist_party "Communist party") or any, unspecified, "totalitarian party". Membership or affiliation with such parties, whether US or foreign, would be incompatible with [the oath of allegiance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oath_of_Allegiance_\(United_States\) "Oath of Allegiance (United States)") to the naturalization of the United States of America, which includes a commitment to "support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States". Exceptions to the inadmissibility rule include circumstances where membership is: "Involuntary; Solely when under 16 years of age; By operation of law; or For purposes of obtaining employment, food rations, or other essentials of living and where necessary for such purposes."[\[75\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-75) The ban would affect current members of [Chinese Communist Party](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Communist_Party "Chinese Communist Party") and [Communist Youth League of China](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communist_Youth_League_of_China "Communist Youth League of China"), for example.[\[76\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-76) ## Rights and responsibilities of a lawful permanent resident \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=18 "Edit section: Rights and responsibilities of a lawful permanent resident")\] Lawful permanent residents, also known as green card holders, have certain rights and responsibilities as highlighted by the [United States Citizenship and Immigration Services](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Citizenship_and_Immigration_Services "United States Citizenship and Immigration Services") and other federal agencies.[\[77\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-77) LPRs can secure many types of jobs just like U.S. citizens can. LPRs can register property under their names and live anywhere within the United States. They can similarly operate any type of business in the United States.[\[78\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-78) LPRs are also subject to similar obligations as U.S. citizens. For example, male LPRs between the ages of 18 and 25 are subject to registering in the [Selective Service System](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_Service_System "Selective Service System"). Like U.S. citizens, LPRs must pay [taxes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxation_in_the_United_States "Taxation in the United States") on their worldwide income (this includes filing annual U.S. income tax returns). LPRs are not permitted to vote in federal elections and they cannot be elected to federal office. They may [vote in certain local elections](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_of_foreigners_to_vote_in_the_United_States "Right of foreigners to vote in the United States"), and hold local and state offices (subject to state/city law and [Constitutionality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitutionality "Constitutionality")).[\[79\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-79) - Reside permanently in the United States provided they do not commit actions that would make them removable under the INA.[\[15\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-removable-15) - Join and serve in the [United States Armed Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Armed_Forces "United States Armed Forces"), including in many [law enforcement agencies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_enforcement_in_the_United_States "Law enforcement in the United States"). - Work anywhere in the United States (with the exception of federal jobs requiring [security clearances](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_clearance "Security clearance") and some companies under contract by the federal government).[\[80\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-80) - Be protected equally by the [law of the United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_the_United_States "Law of the United States"), their [State of residence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._state "U.S. state"), and local jurisdictions. - Travel freely outside the United States for up to one year as a tourist. - Petition for (or sponsor) certain family members to immigrate to the United States as lawful permanent residents. Such family members include spouse and unmarried children of any age.\[*[clarification needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarify "Wikipedia:Please clarify")*\] - Required to obey all laws of the United States, including state laws, and localities. - Required to file [income tax](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Income_tax_in_the_United_States "Income tax in the United States") returns and report income to the U.S. [Internal Revenue Service](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_Revenue_Service "Internal Revenue Service") (IRS) and state taxing authorities. - Register with the [Selective Service System](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_Service_System "Selective Service System") (if male and aged 18 through 25). ## Conditional permanent residents \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=21 "Edit section: Conditional permanent residents")\] As part of immigration reform under the [Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_Reform_and_Control_Act_of_1986 "Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986") (IRCA), as well as further reform enacted in the [Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegal_Immigration_Reform_and_Immigrant_Responsibility_Act_of_1996 "Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996") (IIRIRA), eligible persons who properly apply for permanent residency based on either a recent marriage to a U.S. citizen or as an investor are granted such privilege only on a **conditional basis**, for two years. An exception to this rule is the case of a U.S. citizen legally sponsoring a spouse in which the marriage at the time of the adjustment of status (I-485) is more than two years old. In this case, the conditional status is waived and a 10-year "permanent resident card" is issued after the USCIS approves the case. A permanent resident under the conditional clause may receive an I-551 stamp as well as a permanent resident card. The expiration date of the conditional period is two years from the approval date. The immigrant visa category is CR (conditional resident). When this two-year conditional period is over, the permanent residence automatically expires and the applicant is subject to deportation and removal unless, up to 90 days before the conditional residence expires, the applicant files form I-751 *Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence*[\[81\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-81) (if conditional permanent residence was obtained through marriage) or form I-829 *Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions*[\[82\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-82) (if conditional permanent residence was obtained through investment) with USCIS to have the conditions removed. Once the application is received, permanent residence is extended in 1-year intervals until the request to remove conditions is approved or denied. For conditional permanent residence obtained through marriage, both spouses must sign form I-751; if the spouses are divorced, it is possible to get a waiver of the other spouse's signing requirement, if it can be proved that the marriage was bona fide. The USCIS requires that the application for the removal of conditions provide both general and specific supporting evidence that the basis on which the applicant obtained conditional permanent residence was not fraudulent. For an application based on marriage, birth certificates of children, joint financial statements, and letters from employers, friends and relatives are some types of evidence that may be accepted.[\[83\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-83) That is to ensure that the marriage was in good faith and not a fraudulent [marriage of convenience](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marriage_of_convenience "Marriage of convenience") with a sole intention of obtaining a green card. A follow-up interview with an immigration officer is sometimes required but may be waived if the submitted evidence is sufficient. Both the spouses must usually attend the interview. The applicant receives an I-551 stamp in their foreign passport upon approval of their case. The applicant is then free from the conditional requirement once the application is approved. The applicant's new permanent resident card arrives via mail to their house several weeks to several months later and replaces the old two-year conditional residence card. The new card must be renewed after 10 years, but permanent resident status is now granted for an indefinite term if residence conditions are satisfied at all times. The USCIS may request to renew the card earlier because of security enhancements of the card or as a part of a revalidation campaign to exclude counterfeit green cards from circulation. The two-year conditional residence period counts toward satisfying a residency requirement for U.S. [naturalization](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturalization "Naturalization"), and other purposes. Application for the removal of conditions must be adjudicated before a separate naturalization application can be reviewed by the USCIS on its own merits. ### Differences between permanent residents and conditional permanent residents \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=22 "Edit section: Differences between permanent residents and conditional permanent residents")\] Conditional permanent residents have all of the equal "rights, privileges, responsibilities and duties which apply to all other lawful permanent residents."[\[84\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-84) The only difference is the requirement to satisfy the conditions (such as showing marriage status or satisfying entrepreneur requirements) before the two-year period ends. ## Abandonment or loss of permanent residence status \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=23 "Edit section: Abandonment or loss of permanent residence status")\] A green-card holder may abandon permanent residence by filing form I-407, with the green card, at a U.S. Embassy.[\[85\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-85) Under certain conditions, permanent residence status can be lost involuntarily.[\[86\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-86) This includes committing a criminal act that makes a person removable from the United States (an [aggravated felony](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aggravated_felony "Aggravated felony")). A person might also be found to have abandoned their status if they move to another country to live there permanently, stay outside the US for more than one year (without getting a [re-entry permit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Re-entry_Permit "U.S. Re-entry Permit") before leaving),[\[87\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-87) or fail to file an [income tax](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Income_tax_in_the_United_States "Income tax in the United States") return on their worldwide income. Permanent resident status can also be lost if it is found that the application or grounds for obtaining permanent residence was fraudulent. The failure to renew the permanent resident card does not result in the loss of status, except in the case of conditional permanent residents as noted above. Nevertheless, failure to renew the card can result in loss of [work eligibility](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Work_permit "Work permit") and the ability to travel. A person who loses permanent residence status is immediately removable from the [United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States "United States") and must leave the country as soon as possible or face deportation and removal. In some cases the person may be banned from entering the country for three or seven years, or even [permanently](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_turpitude "Moral turpitude").\[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")*\] ### Tax costs of green card relinquishment \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=24 "Edit section: Tax costs of green card relinquishment")\] Due to the [Heart Act](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expatriation_tax "Expatriation tax")[\[88\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-88) foreign workers who have owned a green card in eight of the last 15 years and choose to relinquish it will be subject to the [expatriation tax](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expatriation_tax "Expatriation tax"), which taxes unrealized gains above \$600,000, anywhere in the world. However this will only apply to those people who have a federal tax liability greater than \$139,000 a year or have a worth of more than \$2 million or have failed to certify to the IRS that they have been in compliance with U.S. federal tax obligations for the past five years.[\[89\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-89)[\[90\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-90) If the green card is not relinquished, then the holder is subject to [double taxation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_taxation#U.S._Citizens_and_Resident_Aliens_Abroad "Double taxation") when living or working outside of the United States, whether or not within their home nation, although double taxation may be mitigated by [foreign tax credits](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_tax_credit "Foreign tax credit"). ## Reading a permanent resident card \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=25 "Edit section: Reading a permanent resident card")\] [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/GC_Altered.JPG/330px-GC_Altered.JPG)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:GC_Altered.JPG) Pre-2008 permanent resident card, bearing the [seal of the United States Department of Homeland Security](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seal_of_the_United_States_Department_of_Homeland_Security "Seal of the United States Department of Homeland Security") While most of the information on the card is self-evident, the computer- and human-readable signature at the bottom is not. The format follows the [machine-readable travel document](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine-readable_passport#Official_travel_documents "Machine-readable passport") TD1 format: - First line: 1–2: C1 or C2. C1 = resident within the United States, C2 = permanent resident commuter (living in Canada or Mexico) 3–5: USA (issuing country, United States) 6–14: 9-digit number (A\#, alien number) 15: check digit over digits 6–14 16–30: 13-character USCIS receipt number,[\[91\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-91) padded with "\<" as a filler character[\[92\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-icao_9303-4-92) - Second line: 1–6: birth date (in YYMMDD format) 7: check digit over digits 1–6 8: gender 9–14: expiration date (in YYMMDD format) 15: check digit over digits 9–14 16–29: country of birth 30: cumulative check digit (over digits 6–30 (upper line), 1–7, 9–15, 19–29 (lower line)) - Third line: surname, given name, middle name, first initial of father, first initial of mother (this line is spaced with "\<\<" between the surname and given name).\[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")*\] Depending on the length of the name, the father's and mother's initials may be omitted. A full list of category codes (i.e. IR1, E21, etc.) can be found in the *Federal Register*[\[93\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-93)[\[94\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-94) or Foreign Affairs Manual.[\[95\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-95) Since May 11, 2010, new green cards contain an [RFID](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RFID "RFID") chip[\[96\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-96) and can be electronically accessed at a distance. They are shipped with a protective sleeve intended to protect the card from remote access, but it is reported to be inadequate.[\[97\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-97) ## Visa-free travel for U.S. permanent residents \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=26 "Edit section: Visa-free travel for U.S. permanent residents")\] The following countries and territories generally allow U.S. permanent residents to enter the country without a visa for purposes of tourism. ## Suspension of the Diversity Visa Program \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_card&action=edit&section=27 "Edit section: Suspension of the Diversity Visa Program")\] [US Homeland Security](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Us_homeland_security "Us homeland security") Director [Kristi Noem](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kristi_Noem "Kristi Noem") announced on Thursday, 18 December 2025, by order of President Donald Trump, the United States Green Card Lottery program has been suspended. White House officials said the decision was made after it was determined that the main suspect in the [2025 Brown University shooting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Brown_University_shooting "2025 Brown University shooting") entered the United States through the green card lottery. Trump has long opposed the multicultural immigrant visa program, and the suspension of the lottery was done to advance his [immigration policy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_policy_of_the_second_Trump_administration "Immigration policy of the second Trump administration") goals.[\[120\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-120)[\[121\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-121)[\[122\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-122)[\[123\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-123)[\[124\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-124)[\[125\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-125)[\[126\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-126)[\[127\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_note-127) - [Blue Card (European Union)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Card_\(European_Union\) "Blue Card (European Union)") - [Canada Permanent Resident Card](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_Permanent_Resident_Card "Canada Permanent Resident Card") (PR Card), equivalent document in Canada - [Chinese Foreign Permanent Resident Identity Card](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Foreign_Permanent_Resident_Identity_Card "Chinese Foreign Permanent Resident Identity Card") - [Indefinite leave to remain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indefinite_leave_to_remain "Indefinite leave to remain") in the United Kingdom - [Permanent residency](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permanent_residency "Permanent residency") - [Green card marriage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card_marriage "Green card marriage") *This article in most part is based on [law of the United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_the_United_States "Law of the United States"), including [statutory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statutory_law "Statutory law") and [published](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precedent "Precedent") [case law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Case_law "Case law").* 1. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-section_1101\(a\)\(20\)_1-0)** [8 U.S.C.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_8_of_the_United_States_Code "Title 8 of the United States Code") [§ 1101(a)(20)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1101#a_20) ("The term 'lawfully admitted for permanent residence' means the status of having been lawfully accorded the privilege of residing permanently in the United States as an immigrant in accordance with the [immigration laws](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_and_Nationality_Act "Immigration and Nationality Act"), such status not having changed."). 2. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-LPR_2-0)** ["Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR)"](https://www.dhs.gov/immigration-statistics/lawful-permanent-residents). [U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_Homeland_Security "United States Department of Homeland Security") (DHS). April 24, 2018. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180922091633/https://www.dhs.gov/immigration-statistics/lawful-permanent-residents) from the original on September 22, 2018. Retrieved September 22, 2018. 3. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-3)** Miller, Sarah (September 2024). ["Estimates of the Lawful Permanent Resident Population in the United States and the Subpopulation Eligible to Naturalize: 2023"](https://ohss.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2024-11/2024_1108_ohss_lawful_permenent_resident_population_estimate_2024_and_revised_2023.pdf) (PDF). [United States Department of Homeland Security](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_Homeland_Security "United States Department of Homeland Security"). 4. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-Dowd_4-0)** Dowd, Alan (April 2, 2018). ["What a Country: Immigrants Serve US Military Well"](https://providencemag.com/2018/04/what-a-country-immigrants-serve-us-military-well/). providencemag.com. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180923054115/https://providencemag.com/2018/04/what-a-country-immigrants-serve-us-military-well/) from the original on September 23, 2018. Retrieved September 22, 2018. 5. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-naturalization_5-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-naturalization_5-1) [8 U.S.C.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_8_of_the_United_States_Code "Title 8 of the United States Code") [§ 1427](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1427) ("Requirements of naturalization"); see also [8 U.S.C.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_8_of_the_United_States_Code "Title 8 of the United States Code") [§ 1101(f)(8)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1101#f_8); - ["Path to U.S. Citizenship"](https://www.uscis.gov/us-citizenship/citizenship-through-naturalization/path-us-citizenship). [United States Citizenship and Immigration Services](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Citizenship_and_Immigration_Services "United States Citizenship and Immigration Services") (USCIS). January 22, 2013. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180923152331/https://www.uscis.gov/us-citizenship/citizenship-through-naturalization/path-us-citizenship) from the original on September 23, 2018. Retrieved September 23, 2018. - ["How to Apply for U.S. Citizenship"](https://www.usa.gov/become-us-citizen). www.usa.gov. September 4, 2018. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180916164229/https://www.usa.gov/become-us-citizen) from the original on September 16, 2018. Retrieved September 23, 2018. 6. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-Al-Sharif_v._USCIS_6-0)** *Al-Sharif v. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services*, [734 F.3d 207](https://casetext.com/case/al-sharif-v-us-citizenship-immigration-servs-2) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180925220034/https://casetext.com/case/al-sharif-v-us-citizenship-immigration-servs-2) September 25, 2018, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine") (3d Cir. 2013) (en banc) (holding that an LPR convicted of an aggravated felony cannot obtain U.S. citizenship); see also *Mobin v. Taylor*, [598 F.Supp.2d 777](https://casetext.com/case/mobin-v-taylor) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181209121835/https://casetext.com/case/mobin-v-taylor) December 9, 2018, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine") ([E.D. Va.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_District_Court_for_the_Eastern_District_of_Virginia "United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia") 2009) (same). 7. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-American_7-0)** *Khalid v. Sessions*, [904 F.3d 129](https://www.leagle.com/decision/infco20180913097) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181223211521/https://www.leagle.com/decision/infco20180913097) 2018-12-23 at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), 131 (2d Cir. 2018) (case involving a U.S. citizen in [removal proceedings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Removal_proceedings "Removal proceedings")) 8. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-8)** ["Khalid v. Sessions"](https://shortcircuit.org/sc_case_entry/khalid-v-sessions/). *Short Circuit*. Retrieved April 1, 2022. 9. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-9)** ["USCIS Announces Redesigned Green Card: Fact Sheet and FAQ"](https://www.aila.org/infonet/uscis-redesigned-green-card-fact-sheet-and-faq). [AILA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Immigration_Lawyers_Association "American Immigration Lawyers Association"). May 11, 2010. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150306164947/http://www.aila.org/infonet/uscis-redesigned-green-card-fact-sheet-and-faq) from the original on March 6, 2015. Retrieved April 23, 2014. 10. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-10)** ["New Design: The Green Card Goes Green"](https://www.uscis.gov/archive/blog/2010/05/new-design-green-card-goes-green). [USCIS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USCIS "USCIS"). May 11, 2010. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170601003209/https://www.uscis.gov/archive/blog/2010/05/new-design-green-card-goes-green) from the original on June 1, 2017. Retrieved April 23, 2014. 11. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-Campos_v._United_States_11-0)** ["Campos v. United States"](https://web.archive.org/web/20181010060844/https://www.leagle.com/decision/infco20180424153). Archived from [the original](https://www.leagle.com/decision/infco20180424153) on October 10, 2018. , 732 ([5th Cir.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5th_Cir. "5th Cir.") 2018 (888 F.3d 724)). 12. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-12)** Absent [exceptional circumstances](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exceptional_and_extremely_unusual_hardship "Exceptional and extremely unusual hardship"), 'Every alien, eighteen years of age and over, shall at all times carry with him and have in his personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card issued to him pursuant to subsection (d). Any alien who fails to comply with the provisions of this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall upon conviction for each offense be fined not to exceed \$100 or be imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both': INA [§ 264(e)](https://www.uscis.gov/ilink/docView/SLB/HTML/SLB/0-0-0-1/0-0-0-29/0-0-0-8289.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180923052446/https://www.uscis.gov/ilink/docView/SLB/HTML/SLB/0-0-0-1/0-0-0-29/0-0-0-8289.html) September 23, 2018, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), [8 U.S.C.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_8_of_the_United_States_Code "Title 8 of the United States Code") [§ 1304(e)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1304#e) ("Personal possession of registration or receipt card; penalties"). 13. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-13)** See generally *Agor v. Sessions*, [No. 17‐3231](https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/4538156/agor-v-sessions/) (2d Cir. September 26, 2018) ("Although federal courts are barred from reviewing a discretionary denial of an adjustment application, we retain [jurisdiction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurisdiction "Jurisdiction") to review an applicantʹs eligibility to adjust.") (summary order); *Alimbaev v. Att'y*, [872 F.3d 188](https://casetext.com/case/alimbaev-v-attorney-gen-of-the-united-states-1#p194) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181129100132/https://casetext.com/case/alimbaev-v-attorney-gen-of-the-united-states-1#p194) November 29, 2018, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), 194 (3d Cir. 2017) (same); *Bonilla v. Lynch*, [840 F.3d 575](https://www.leagle.com/decision/infco20161020163) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181006000334/https://www.leagle.com/decision/infco20161020163) October 6, 2018, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), 581-82 (9th Cir. 2016) (same). 14. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-14)** ["Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers \| USCIS"](https://www.uscis.gov/i-140). May 4, 2021. 15. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-removable_15-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-removable_15-1) [8 U.S.C.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_8_of_the_United_States_Code "Title 8 of the United States Code") [§ 1229a(e)(2)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1229a#e_2) ("The term 'removable' means—(A) in the case of an alien not admitted to the United States, that the alien is inadmissible under section 1182 of this title, or (B) in the case of an alien admitted to the United States, that the alien is deportable under section 1227 of this title."); see also *Galindo v. Sessions*, [897 F.3d 894](https://casetext.com/case/galindo-v-sessions-1#p897) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181224023825/https://casetext.com/case/galindo-v-sessions-1#p897) December 24, 2018, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), 897 ([7th Cir.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Court_of_Appeals_for_the_Seventh_Circuit "United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit") 2018); *Tima v. Att'y Gen.*, [903 F.3d 272](https://www.leagle.com/decision/infco20180906085) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181223211513/https://www.leagle.com/decision/infco20180906085) December 23, 2018, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), 277 (3d Cir. 2018) ("Section 1227 defines '\[d\]eportable aliens,' a [synonym](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synonym "Synonym") for removable aliens.... So § 1227(a)(1) [piggybacks](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/piggyback#English "wikt:piggyback") on § 1182(a) by treating grounds of inadmissibility as grounds for removal as well."). 16. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-aggravated_felony_16-0)** [8 U.S.C.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_8_of_the_United_States_Code "Title 8 of the United States Code") [§ 1101(a)(43)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1101#a_43) ("The term \[aggravated felony\] applies to an offense described in this paragraph ... and applies to such an offense ... for which the term of imprisonment was completed within the previous 15 years."); *Matter of Vasquez-Muniz*, [23 I\&N Dec. 207](https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/eoir/legacy/2014/07/25/3461.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190412071211/https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/eoir/legacy/2014/07/25/3461.pdf) April 12, 2019, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), 211 (BIA 2002) (en banc) ("This penultimate sentence, governing the enumeration of crimes in section 101(a)(43) of the Act, refers the reader to *all* of the crimes 'described in' the aggravated felony provision."); *[Luna Torres v. Lynch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luna_Torres_v._Lynch "Luna Torres v. Lynch")*, 578 U.S. 452, \_\_\_, [136 S.Ct. 1623](https://www.leagle.com/decision/insco20160519f95) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181202155108/https://www.leagle.com/decision/insco20160519f95) December 2, 2018, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), 1627 (2016) ("The whole point of § 1101(a)(43)'s penultimate sentence is to make clear that a listed offense should lead to swift removal, no matter whether it violates federal, state, or foreign law."); see also [8 CFR](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_8_of_the_Code_of_Federal_Regulations "Title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations") [1001\.1](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/part-1001.1)(t) ("The term aggravated felony means a crime (or a conspiracy or attempt to commit a crime) described in section 101(a)(43) of the Act. **This definition is applicable to any proceeding, application, custody determination, or [adjudication](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adjudication "Adjudication") pending on or after September 30, 1996**, but shall apply under section 276(b) of the Act only to violations of section 276(a) of the Act occurring on or after that date.") (emphasis added). 17. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-alien_17-0)** [8 U.S.C.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_8_of_the_United_States_Code "Title 8 of the United States Code") [§ 1101(a)(3)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1101#a_3) 18. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-Othi_v._Holder_18-0)** *Othi v. Holder* [734 F.3d 259](https://casetext.com/case/othi-v-holder#p265) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181210124605/https://casetext.com/case/othi-v-holder#p265) December 10, 2018, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), 264-65 ([4th Cir.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4th_Cir. "4th Cir.") 2013) ("In 1996, Congress 'made major changes to immigration law' via [IIRIRA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IIRIRA "IIRIRA").... These IIRIRA changes became effective on April 1, 1997."). 19. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-19)** [8 CFR](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_8_of_the_Code_of_Federal_Regulations "Title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations") [316\.2](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/part-316.2) ("Eligibility"); [8 U.S.C.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_8_of_the_United_States_Code "Title 8 of the United States Code") [§ 1429](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1429) ("Prerequisite to naturalization; burden of proof"). 20. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-20)** See generally [8 CFR](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_8_of_the_Code_of_Federal_Regulations "Title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations") [319\.1](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/part-319.1) ("Persons living in marital union with United States citizen spouse"). 21. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-21)** ["Naturalization Through Military Service"](https://www.uscis.gov/military/naturalization-through-military-service). *USCIS*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181112181515/https://www.uscis.gov/military/naturalization-through-military-service) from the original on November 12, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2018. 22. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-22)** ["Citizenship and Assimilation Grant Program"](https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/citizenship-and-assimilation-grant-program). USCIS. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180922211715/https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/citizenship-and-assimilation-grant-program) from the original on September 22, 2018. Retrieved September 22, 2018. 23. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-auto_23-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-auto_23-1) ["Green Card \| USCIS"](https://www.uscis.gov/green-card). *www.uscis.gov*. July 11, 2022. Retrieved February 11, 2023. 24. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-24)** ["I Am a Permanent Resident. How Do I Help My Relative Become a U.S. Permanent Resident?"](https://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Resources/B1en.pdf) (PDF). USCIS. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130512030231/http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Resources/B1en.pdf) (PDF) from the original on May 12, 2013. Retrieved September 23, 2018. \[*[needs update](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Dates_and_numbers#Chronological_items "Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers")*\] 25. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-25)** [Visa Bulletins](https://travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin/bulletin_1360.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140101101608/http://travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin/bulletin_1360.html) January 1, 2014, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine") State Department\[*[needs update](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Dates_and_numbers#Chronological_items "Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers")*\] 26. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-26)** [Check Case Processing Times](https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180923235126/https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/) September 23, 2018, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine") USCIS 27. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-:10_27-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-:10_27-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-:10_27-2) [***d***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-:10_27-3) [***e***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-:10_27-4) ["New Trump rule would target legal immigrants who get public assistance"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-benefits-idUSKCN1V219N). *Reuters*. August 12, 2019. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190812153939/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-benefits-idUSKCN1V219N) from the original on August 12, 2019. Retrieved August 12, 2019. 28. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-:11_28-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-:11_28-1) Shear, Michael D.; Sullivan, Eileen (August 12, 2019). ["Trump Policy Favors Wealthier Immigrants for Green Cards"](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/12/us/politics/trump-immigration-policy.html). *The New York Times*. [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [0362-4331](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0362-4331). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190812140003/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/12/us/politics/trump-immigration-policy.html) from the original on August 12, 2019. Retrieved August 12, 2019. 29. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-29)** ["President Donald J. Trump is Ensuring Non-Citizens Do Not Abuse Our Nation's Public Benefit"](https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trump-ensuring-non-citizens-not-abuse-nations-public-benefit/). *[whitehouse.gov](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitehouse.gov "Whitehouse.gov")*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210120201756/https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trump-ensuring-non-citizens-not-abuse-nations-public-benefit/) from the original on January 20, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2019 – via [National Archives](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NARA "NARA"). 30. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-30)** ["THE BIDEN PLAN FOR SECURING OUR VALUES AS A NATION OF IMMIGRANTS"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210214085040/https://joebiden.com/immigration/). *joebiden.com*. Archived from [the original](https://joebiden.com/immigration/) on February 14, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2021. "Reverse Trump's public charge rule, which runs counter to our values as Americans and the history of our nation. Allowing immigration officials to make an individual's ability to receive a visa or gain permanent residency contingent on their use of government services such as SNAP benefits or Medicaid, their household income, and other discriminatory criteria undermines America's character as land of opportunity that is open and welcoming to all, not just the wealthy." 31. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-31)** O’Toole, Molly (February 2, 2021). ["Biden's early immigration orders largely limited to reviewing, not undoing, Trump policy"](https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2021-02-02/biden-immigration-executive-orders-trump). *The Los Angeles Times*. Los Angeles, California. Retrieved February 5, 2021. "On Tuesday, Biden signed a series of executive orders and directives on immigration that primarily call for the review of, rather than an end to, Trump policies that the new administration has said it would get rid of, according to Biden officials who previewed the actions. These include the program known as "Remain in Mexico," under which thousands of asylum seekers remain stuck at the border, and the "public charge" rule, which essentially requires a wealth test for immigrants." 32. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-32)** ["Opinion \| Like Mahmoud Khalil, I was a student green card holder. But Donald Trump wasn't president"](https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/trump-deporting-student-green-card-holders-mahmoud-khalil-rcna203601). *[MSNBC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MSNBC "MSNBC")*. May 2, 2025. 33. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-33)** ["Green Card"](https://www.uscis.gov/greencard). USCIS. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180923200654/https://www.uscis.gov/greencard) from the original on September 23, 2018. Retrieved September 23, 2018. 34. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-34)** ["Green Card Eligibility Categories"](https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-eligibility-categories). USCIS. July 11, 2022. 35. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-visabulletin_35-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-visabulletin_35-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-visabulletin_35-2) ["The Visa Bulletin"](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2025/visa-bulletin-for-june-2025.html). [United States Department of State](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_State "United States Department of State"). May 2, 2024. Retrieved May 15, 2025. 36. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-36)** Per [8 U.S. Code § 1153 (a)(2)(B)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1153), out of 114,200 visas, 77% are allocated for F2A. This leaves 23% (of 114,200) for F2B, which is exactly 26,266. 37. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-visa-bulletin-2012-sep_37-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-visa-bulletin-2012-sep_37-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-visa-bulletin-2012-sep_37-2) [***d***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-visa-bulletin-2012-sep_37-3) [***e***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-visa-bulletin-2012-sep_37-4) ["Visa Bulletin for September 2012"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120815222538/http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin/bulletin_5759.html). [USCIS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USCIS "USCIS"). Archived from [the original](https://www.travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin/bulletin_5759.html) on August 15, 2012. 38. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-38)** ["EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program"](https://www.uscis.gov/eb-5). *USCIS*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20171120013738/https://www.uscis.gov/eb-5) from the original on November 20, 2017. Retrieved December 30, 2019. 39. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-39)** ["Why many rich Chinese don't live in China"](https://www.economist.com/special-report/2018/05/19/why-many-rich-chinese-dont-live-in-china). *The Economist*. May 17, 2018. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180612011401/https://www.economist.com/special-report/2018/05/19/why-many-rich-chinese-dont-live-in-china) from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2018. 40. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-40)** See the USCIS [Processing Dates](https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/processTimesDisplay.do) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20091007063902/https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/processTimesDisplay.do) October 7, 2009, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine") for details. 41. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-41)** ["Our History"](https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/our-history). USCIS. May 25, 2011. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20131104032635/http://www.uscis.gov/about-us/our-history) from the original on November 4, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2012. 42. ^ [***a***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-:0_42-0) [***b***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-:0_42-1) [***c***](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-:0_42-2) ["The Green Card, Explained"](https://www.boundless.com/immigration-resources/the-green-card-explained/). *Boundless*. 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Retrieved July 19, 2024. 45. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-45)** [Application for Travel Document](https://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=b11747a55773d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20071202093619/http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=b11747a55773d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD) December 2, 2007, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), Documentation for form I-131, *USCIS Website*, retrieved December 3, 2007 46. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-46)** [Employment Authorization](https://www.usimmigration.org/forms/i-765-employment-authorization-ead) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20161108080942/https://www.usimmigration.org/forms/i-765-employment-authorization-ead) November 8, 2016, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), *US Immigration Website*, retrieved September 19, 2016 47. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-47)** [Application for Employment Authorization](https://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=73ddd59cb7a5d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20071204160614/http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=73ddd59cb7a5d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD) December 4, 2007, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine"), Documentation for form I-765, *USCIS Website*, retrieved December 3, 2007 48. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-48)** ["Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative"](https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-130.pdf) (PDF). [USCIS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USCIS "USCIS"). April 1, 2024. Retrieved May 15, 2025. 49. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-49)** ["I Married an Alien, Get Us Out of Here: Immigrant Visas for Spouses of US Citizens Living in the United Kingdom"](http://www.usvisalawyers.co.uk/article2.htm). Usvisalawyers.co.uk. December 11, 2012. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20121231173001/http://www.usvisalawyers.co.uk/article2.htm) from the original on December 31, 2012. Retrieved December 30, 2012. 50. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-50)** ["A Beginner's Guide to the Affidavit of Support"](http://www.usvisalawyers.co.uk/article10.htm). Usvisalawyers.co.uk. February 14, 2012. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120220154237/http://www.usvisalawyers.co.uk/article10.htm) from the original on February 20, 2012. Retrieved February 20, 2012. 51. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-51)** Kitanova, Maria (2019). "Axiological aspects of some models of euphimisation in Bulgarian language and traditional Bulgarian culture". *A View on Slavic Axiology*. pp. 159–168\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.31168/0428-2.9](https://doi.org/10.31168%2F0428-2.9). [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)") [978-5-7576-0428-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-5-7576-0428-2 "Special:BookSources/978-5-7576-0428-2") . 52. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-52)** "Fact Sheet: National Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Forum. Apr. 1983" (Document). National Immigration, Refugee & Citizenship Forum. 1983. 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[ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)") [978-0-87289-558-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-87289-558-4 "Special:BookSources/978-0-87289-558-4") . 55. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-55)** ["Including Immigration Parole in Reconciliation Will Help Millions"](https://www.americanprogress.org/article/including-immigration-parole-reconciliation-will-help-millions/). *Center for American Progress*. October 12, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2022. 56. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-56)** ["Registry Files, March 2, 1929 - March 31, 1944 \| USCIS"](https://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/genealogy/historical-record-series/registry-files-march-2-1929-march-31-1944). *www.uscis.gov*. January 2, 2020. Retrieved May 30, 2022. 57. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-57)** ["Family of Green Card Holders (Permanent Residents)"](https://www.uscis.gov/family/family-green-card-holders-permanent-residents). *U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services*. July 14, 2015. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160409063123/https://www.uscis.gov/family/family-green-card-holders-permanent-residents) from the original on April 9, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2016. 58. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-58)** Thronson, David B. (2006). "You Can't Get Here from Here: Toward a More Child-Centered Immigration Law". *Virginia Journal of Social Policy & the Law*. **14** (1): 58–86\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.17613/dgyxy-5y411](https://doi.org/10.17613%2Fdgyxy-5y411). [SSRN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SSRN_\(identifier\) "SSRN (identifier)") [1155221](https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1155221). 59. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-59)** "Millions stay in green-card limbo". *The Augusta Chronicle*. December 13, 2006. \[*[verification needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability "Wikipedia:Verifiability")*\] 60. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-60)** ["Family of U.S. Citizens"](https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-through-family). *USCIS*. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Retrieved October 1, 2025. 61. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-61)** Bier, David J. (August 11, 2025). ["Employer-Sponsored Green Card Processing Takes 3.4 Years, All-Time High"](https://www.cato.org/blog/employer-sponsored-green-card-processing-takes-34-years-all-time-high). *[Cato Institute](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cato_Institute "Cato Institute")*. Retrieved August 12, 2025. 62. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-62)** ["Permanent Labor Certification"](https://www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov/perm.cfm). Employment and Training Administration, US Department of Labor. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070107152920/http://www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov/perm.cfm) from the original on January 7, 2007. Retrieved December 31, 2006. 63. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-63)** ["What is Schedule A and who qualifies? OFLC Frequently Asked Questions and Answers"](https://www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov/faqsanswers.cfm#scheda1). Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070107152449/http://www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov/faqsanswers.cfm#scheda1) from the original on January 7, 2007. Retrieved January 6, 2007. 64. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-64)** ["Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers"](https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-140.pdf) (PDF). *[USCIS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USCIS "USCIS")*. April 1, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024. 65. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-65)** ["Employment-Based Visas"](https://web.archive.org/web/20061230113424/http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1323.html). US Department of State. Archived from [the original](https://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1323.html) on December 30, 2006. Retrieved December 31, 2006. 66. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-66)** ["Immigration Statistics"](https://www.dhs.gov/ximgtn/statistics/). US Department of Homeland Security. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20061230143641/http://www.dhs.gov/ximgtn/statistics/) from the original on December 30, 2006. 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Retrieved January 30, 2017. 98. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-98)** "[Visa Regime for Foreign Citizens](https://punetejashtme.gov.al/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/3-visa-regime-for-foreign-citiznes-01.11.2018.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190201134644/https://punetejashtme.gov.al/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/3-visa-regime-for-foreign-citiznes-01.11.2018.pdf) February 1, 2019, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")". *Ministria per Evropën dhe Punët e Jashtme*. January 11, 2018. "Foreigners that have a valid visa from the United States of America (USA) or United Kingdom (UK), with multiple entries, that has been used previously to enter that country, and/or those that have a valid Residence Permit in USA or UK." 99. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-99)** ["Immigration Department - Official Notice"](https://www.gov.ai/document/immigration/FB%20Post%20Acceptance%20of%20US%20UK%20and%20Can%20Visa.jpg). *Government of Anguilla*. Retrieved October 16, 2024. 100. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-100)** "[Visa on Arrival](http://www.immigration.gov.ag/visa-services/visa-on-arrival/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190128235850/http://www.immigration.gov.ag/visa-services/visa-on-arrival/) January 28, 2019, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")". *Antigua and Barbuda Department of Immigration, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Immigration*. Retrieved February 8, 2019. "Visas may be granted on arrival: To persons who are holders of a valid: United States Visa or permanent Resident Card; or A Canadian Visa or permanent Resident Card, or A United Kingdom Visa or Resident Card, or A Schengen Visa." 101. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-101)** "[Entering The Bahamas](https://www.bahamas.gov.bs/wps/portal/public/Landing/Entry%20and%20Departure/!ut/p/b1/vZHbbptAFEW_pR_gMDAwwOMYzMVcDRgwL5axA-JmY3MzfH3tqFIbt0laqcmcp5HW1j77bCIiNiQgWQAgiRAREtFx12fprs1Ox115_0doC2XLWAk0Z3CI5oFKeqYqLmwoe_AGbO4AkA2Mb4BFeXdAIJG2ZsBcYF70qzlYuToPMcAMA1SF8lhWXkNBAj_04I2Hwd_p3wGiX9fj0PK-nmZpOq9BmaSJgAiV_WQKjTossJf6s6K8Mrj0l83zdXdS3WbbOrHOGECD6jqet1MCTNu4GrIaNEh2x9I0RIvNZ6G0P3vpWZR109MQtYmHsdOmZKyCOK7rpjbE1BHCbXWuq_3ieOSaykp3WeKuDkfoNTJVuZkUmQqV7LUDOYoOT-8clXb52zbFEvaNHbQS3SIlYXsn26PHu_8e7N96e9Aj5iN9QESvT_uH5l-A96p9txzEfADcQprKqXomNjeMfQtTbIbwiBDQWzcfa3UqJicHV924aKBdpCO5BsBd9K65Li23XZpGrg6A9VVjwqM33aouisk92PbBd9ZzjHeni9w9Gr6O7q7ozzZ8SMh8uSH56SfVKHgz1KFucgIJIPXVhv8_4ZKIsrh6GvbVE3hCPA8RYG4-PAIcSRF-vkaseFrihT34VUaWLbuZTk20WMHerbBpdRuHZaSUnimt3eruUNXHw4QNCeZ11Q9rIcuVqssjhh6mVaycWGwf0-A8D5rOkzQkyoG_Cxr_spyEDF-68Nr3230aesJG8jMnLGTrUtRubM30VqOoHM3FOhaLLPCl_UUfZFMdkzwptfw8hMmZTXDXWIOXH4O-uq6KaSP4JX9tWwXQkskLkshpTcR13fUgQMMGRBWVkqSP2axwlIHkfs6Av30Hhon8Hg!!/dl4/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160204102445/https://www.bahamas.gov.bs/wps/portal/public/Landing/Entry%20and%20Departure/!ut/p/b1/vZHbbptAFEW_pR_gMDAwwOMYzMVcDRgwL5axA-JmY3MzfH3tqFIbt0laqcmcp5HW1j77bCIiNiQgWQAgiRAREtFx12fprs1Ox115_0doC2XLWAk0Z3CI5oFKeqYqLmwoe_AGbO4AkA2Mb4BFeXdAIJG2ZsBcYF70qzlYuToPMcAMA1SF8lhWXkNBAj_04I2Hwd_p3wGiX9fj0PK-nmZpOq9BmaSJgAiV_WQKjTossJf6s6K8Mrj0l83zdXdS3WbbOrHOGECD6jqet1MCTNu4GrIaNEh2x9I0RIvNZ6G0P3vpWZR109MQtYmHsdOmZKyCOK7rpjbE1BHCbXWuq_3ieOSaykp3WeKuDkfoNTJVuZkUmQqV7LUDOYoOT-8clXb52zbFEvaNHbQS3SIlYXsn26PHu_8e7N96e9Aj5iN9QESvT_uH5l-A96p9txzEfADcQprKqXomNjeMfQtTbIbwiBDQWzcfa3UqJicHV924aKBdpCO5BsBd9K65Li23XZpGrg6A9VVjwqM33aouisk92PbBd9ZzjHeni9w9Gr6O7q7ozzZ8SMh8uSH56SfVKHgz1KFucgIJIPXVhv8_4ZKIsrh6GvbVE3hCPA8RYG4-PAIcSRF-vkaseFrihT34VUaWLbuZTk20WMHerbBpdRuHZaSUnimt3eruUNXHw4QNCeZ11Q9rIcuVqssjhh6mVaycWGwf0-A8D5rOkzQkyoG_Cxr_spyEDF-68Nr3230aesJG8jMnLGTrUtRubM30VqOoHM3FOhaLLPCl_UUfZFMdkzwptfw8hMmZTXDXWIOXH4O-uq6KaSP4JX9tWwXQkskLkshpTcR13fUgQMMGRBWVkqSP2axwlIHkfs6Av30Hhon8Hg!!/dl4/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/) February 4, 2016, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")". *Department of Immigration*. Government of the Bahamas. Retrieved February 8, 2019. "All persons entering The Bahamas require a Bahamian visa except the following persons: United States Citizens entering as a bona fide visitor for a stay not exceeding eight (8) months. Alien residents of the United States who, upon arrival, are in possession of United States Alien Registration Cards for visits not exceeding thirty (30) days." 102. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-102)** "[Do I Need a Visa?](https://belize.com/belize-visa/)" *Belize High Commission London*. Retrieved January 8, 2019. "Nationals of the following countries do NOT require a visa to enter Belize as a tourist for a period of up to 30 days. – Any person who is the holder of a valid United States of America (USA) multiple entry visa or a Permanent Residency Card OR a valid Schengen multiple entry visa for a European Union (EU) member state." 103. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-103)** "[Immigration](https://web.archive.org/web/20071017175524/http://www.gov.bm/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=214&&PageID=512&mode=2&in_hi_userid=2&cached=true)". *Government of Bermuda*. May 22, 2008. Archived from [the original](http://www.gov.bm/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=214&&PageID=512&mode=2&in_hi_userid=2&cached=true) on October 17, 2007. 104. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-104)** ["British Virgin Islands International Travel Information"](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/BritishVirginIslands.html). *travel.state.gov*. Retrieved August 19, 2020. 105. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-105)** "[Countries/Territories requiring visas](http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170729061712/http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp) July 29, 2017, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")". *Cic.gc.ca*. July 11, 2011. Retrieved April 5, 2012. 106. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-106)** ["Find out about Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)"](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta/facts.html). April 25, 2022. 107. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-107)** "[List of Countries](https://www.immigration.gov.ky/portal/page/portal/immhome/visitinghere/visas/visitorsvisas/listofcountries) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20171230114824/http://www.immigration.gov.ky/portal/page/portal/immhome/visitinghere/visas/visitorsvisas/listofcountries) December 30, 2017, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")". *Immigration*. Government of the Cayman Islands. Retrieved February 8, 2019. "Exemptions. Even if you are a national of one of the countries listed above, you will NOT require a visa to enter the Cayman Islands if you are not a prohibited immigrant\*\* and you can satisfy an Immigration Officer on arrival in the Cayman Islands that you are ... you are resident in the United States of America; and you arrive directly from that country; and you produce on arrival a valid United States Alien Registration Card; and you produce on arrival a return or round trip ticket to the United States." 108. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-108)** "[Consular Visa](http://www.costarica-embassy.org/index.php?q=node/24) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190330221246/http://www.costarica-embassy.org/index.php?q=node%2F24) March 30, 2019, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")". *Embassy of Costa Rica in Washington, D.C.*. Retrieved February 8, 2018. "Situations that do not need tourist visa to enter Costa Rica. Nationals of countries that require a VISA to enter Costa Rica are NO LONGER REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR THE VISA if: ... You have permanent residence (Greencard holder) ... Permanent residents must show their residence card, which must be valid for at least six months. The residence card (Green Card) must meet the new security features according to the specifications by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The green card should have an expiration date according to the security features. ... Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into the country and once in Costa Rica, you can remain for a maximum of 30 calendar days, An extension of the stay must be requested at the Office of Migration in Costa Rica." 109. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-109)** "[Embassy of the Dominican Republic, in the United States](http://www.domrep.org/faqconsular.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20111217003057/http://www.domrep.org/faqconsular.html) December 17, 2011, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")". *Domrep.org*. Retrieved August 16, 2014. 110. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-110)** "[Do I need a visa for the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom?](https://www.netherlandsandyou.nl/travel-and-residence/caribbean-visas/do-i-need-a-visa-for-the-caribbean-parts-of-the-kingdom) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190621043734/https://www.netherlandsandyou.nl/travel-and-residence/caribbean-visas/do-i-need-a-visa-for-the-caribbean-parts-of-the-kingdom) June 21, 2019, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")". *Netherlandsandyou.nl*. Kingdom of the Netherlands. Retrieved February 8, 2019. "Do I need a visa for the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom? ... If you hold a permanent residence permit for the United States or Canada, you do not need a visa." 111. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-111)** "[Aruba Entry Requirements](https://www.visitaruba.com/traveling-to-aruba/entry-requirements-and-visas/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190114163215/https://www.visitaruba.com/traveling-to-aruba/entry-requirements-and-visas/) January 14, 2019, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")". *Visit Aruba*. Carib Media. Retrieved February 8, 2019. "Visa required persons exempted from the visa requirement. Click here to download a list of nationals who need a Visa to travel to Aruba. The following persons, who normally require a visa, are exempt from this requirement: Holders of a valid residence permit (temporary or permanent) from: another part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; the United States of America; Canada, The Schengen Territory, United Kingdom, Ireland." 112. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-112)** ["Guatemala International Travel Information"](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Guatemala.html). *travel.state.gov*. Retrieved August 19, 2020. 113. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-113)** ["Honduras International Travel Information"](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Honduras.html). *travel.state.gov*. Retrieved August 19, 2020. 114. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-114)** ["Jamaica International Travel Information"](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Jamaica.html). *travel.state.gov*. Retrieved August 19, 2020. 115. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-115)** ["Embassy of the Republic Kosovo, in Washington DC"](http://ambasada-ks.net/us/?page=2,128). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160621210454/http://www.ambasada-ks.net/us/?page=2,128) from the original on June 21, 2016. Retrieved August 12, 2016. 116. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-116)** ["Instituto Nacional de Migracion"](http://www.inm.gob.mx/index.php/page/paises_visa/en.html). www.inm.gob.mx. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150712194229/http://www.inm.gob.mx/index.php/page/paises_visa/en.html) from the original on July 12, 2015. Retrieved August 4, 2015. 117. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-117)** "[Montenegro Visa Regimes](https://www.visit-montenegro.com/montenegro-visa-regimes/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190404120130/https://www.visit-montenegro.com/montenegro-visa-regimes/) April 4, 2019, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")". *Visit Montenegro*. Holders of travel documents containing a valid Schengen visa, a valid visa of the United States of America, United Kingdom, Ireland, or a permission to stay in these countries, may enter and stay, or pass through the territory of Montenegro up to 30 days, and not longer than the expiry of visa, if the period of validity of the visa is less than 30 days." 118. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-118)** "[Immigration and Visas". *Embassy of Panama in Washington, D.C.* Retrieved 8 2019. "Visa Waiver: There is a Law in effect regarding tourist visas for entering the Republic of Panama; EXECUTIVE DECREE \# 591 states that: “Those who hold a valid passport with a 3 months validity left and a multiple entry visa with a remaining ONE year validity from ONE of the following countries: USA, Australia, Canada, or United Kingdom, which has been used at least one time to enter these countries, may enter the Republic of Panama regardless of their nationality."](https://www.embassyofpanama.org/visas-1) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190209124432/https://www.embassyofpanama.org/visas-1) February 9, 2019, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine") 119. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-119)** "[Travel to Serbia](http://www.washington.mfa.gov.rs/consularservicestext.php?subaction=showfull&id=1348565352&ucat=17&template=MeniENG&#disqus_thread) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160406033647/http://www.washington.mfa.gov.rs/consularservicestext.php?subaction=showfull&id=1348565352&ucat=17&template=MeniENG&#disqus_thread) April 6, 2016, at the [Wayback Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayback_Machine "Wayback Machine")". *Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Washington, D.C.* Retrieved February 8, 2019. "Foreign nationals who have a valid US visa or lawful residence in the United States (green card) may enter the Republic of Serbia without visas and stay no longer than 90 days within six month period. Visa must be valid for the whole duration of stay in the Republic of Serbia." 120. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-120)** ["US suspends green card lottery scheme after Brown shooting"](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gp4ze002mo). *www.bbc.com*. December 19, 2025. Retrieved December 31, 2025. 121. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-121)** Staff (December 19, 2025). ["Trump suspends US green card lottery in wake of Brown University and MIT shootings"](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/19/trump-suspends-us-green-card-lottery-dv1-visa-program). *The Guardian*. [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [0261-3077](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0261-3077). Retrieved December 31, 2025. 122. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-122)** Press, The Associated (December 19, 2025). ["Trump suspends U.S. green card lottery after Brown University and MIT shootings"](https://www.npr.org/2025/12/19/nx-s1-5649339/trump-suspends-u-s-green-card-lottery-after-brown-university-and-mit-shootings). *NPR*. Retrieved December 31, 2025. 123. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-123)** Staff, Al Jazeera. ["Trump government suspends visa lottery linked to Brown University suspect"](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/20/trump-government-suspends-visa-lottery-linked-to-brown-university-suspect). *Al Jazeera*. Retrieved December 31, 2025. 124. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-124)** ["Trump administration suspends green card lottery after Brown University shooting"](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/12/19/trump-administration-suspends-the-us-green-card-lottery_6748661_4.html). December 19, 2025. Retrieved December 31, 2025. 125. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-125)** Ohlen, Elsa (December 19, 2025). ["Trump suspends U.S. green card lottery after Brown University shooting"](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/19/us-green-card-lottery-suspended-after-brown-shooting-officials-say.html). *CNBC*. Retrieved December 31, 2025. 126. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-126)** ["Trump administration suspends green-card lottery after Brown shooting"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2025/12/19/trump-brown-university-kristi-noem-green-card/). *The Washington Post*. December 19, 2025. [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [0190-8286](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0190-8286). Retrieved December 31, 2025. 127. **[^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_card#cite_ref-127)** ["Trump Administration Pauses Diversity Immigration Program After Brown Shooting"](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/19/us/brown-shooting-suspect-diversity-visa-program.html). [![Wikimedia Commons logo](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/20px-Commons-logo.svg.png)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Commons-logo.svg) Media related to [Green Cards (United States)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Green_Cards_\(United_States\) "commons:Category:Green Cards (United States)") at Wikimedia Commons - [Green Card](https://www.uscis.gov/green-card) at USCIS.gov - [Types of employment-based Green Card application categories](https://web.archive.org/web/20061230113424/http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1323.html) - Frost, Amanda (2021). *You Are Not American: Citizenship Stripping from Dred Scott to the Dreamers*. Beacon Press. [ISBN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN_\(identifier\) "ISBN (identifier)") [978-0-8070-5143-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-8070-5143-6 "Special:BookSources/978-0-8070-5143-6") . - Birkvad, Simon Roland (March 2023). "'Citizenship Cheaters' before the Law: Reading Fraud-Based Denaturalization in Norway through Lenses of Exceptionalism". *International Political Sociology*. **17** (1) olad006. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1093/ips/olad006](https://doi.org/10.1093%2Fips%2Folad006). [ProQuest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ProQuest "ProQuest") [2823849892](https://www.proquest.com/docview/2823849892). - Dhillon, Hardeep (February 2023). "The Making of Modern US Citizenship and Alienage: The History of Asian Immigration, Racial Capital, and US Law". *Law and History Review*. **41** (1): 1–42\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1017/S0738248023000019](https://doi.org/10.1017%2FS0738248023000019). - Berman, Lila Corwin (November 2022). "How a Citizen Becomes an Alien: Three Cases of American Jews and Citizenship Lost, Regained, and Lost Again". *Modern American History*. **5** (3): 289–311\. [doi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doi_\(identifier\) "Doi (identifier)"):[10\.1017/mah.2022.18](https://doi.org/10.1017%2Fmah.2022.18). [ProQuest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ProQuest "ProQuest") [2756622343](https://www.proquest.com/docview/2756622343).
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