What is a Green Card, and how can you get one?
A Green Card is basically a residency card for the United States, and it proves one’s identification as an individual who is residing in the US on a permanent basis but is still not a resident.
Below are some of the most important facts about Green Cards, including how to get one.
Table of Contents
What is a Green Card?
Officially known as a Permanent Resident Card, a US Green Card is legal proof of an immigrant’s right to live and work in the USA. You’re known as a lawful permanent resident (LPR) if you have a Green Card. It’s the closest you can be to a full US citizen.
Importantly, it gives the cardholder almost all the same rights as a US citizen, which is the best thing about it. For example, a Green Card holder can:
- Own property
- Be protected by US law
- Get great benefits and affordable healthcare
- Open a bank account, take out loans, etc.
- Receive Social Security benefits
- Start you on your path to citizenship
- Stay indefinitely in the United States of America
The reason why this residency card is known as a Green Card is that it’s green. The color of this card has changed several times, but since 2005 this card has been prominently in green color.
What to do with a Green Card
There are some rules that Green Card holders should follow when they are in possession of it. If a person is not a citizen and is residing in the US using a Green Card, they must always carry it with them. If not, it can lead to difficulties if stopped by police.
Green Card holders must also bring their card to job interviews so the employer can confirm their legal right to work in the USA. When asked what a Green Card is, most cardholders say it is a right to work. Therefore, you must bring it to your job.
As of 2024, the Green Card contains various important pieces of information that identify and verify the holder’s status as a lawful permanent resident.
Here are the key details typically found on a Green Card:
- Name of the Holder: Includes the full legal name (first, middle, and last names).
- Alien Registration Number (A-Number): A unique seven- to nine-digit number assigned to the holder by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
- USCIS Number: Often the same as the Alien Registration Number but labeled differently.
- Category: Indicates the basis on which the green card was issued (e.g., family, employment).
- Country of Birth: The country where the holder was born.
- Date of Birth: The holder’s birthdate.
- Resident Since: The date the holder was granted permanent resident status.
- Card Expiry Date: The date on which the card’s validity expires.
- Gender: The holder’s gender.
- Photo of the Holder: A photograph for identification purposes.
- Signature of the Holder: A digital or printed signature.
- Physical and Biometric Features: Depending on the version of the card, it may include biometric identifiers such as fingerprints.
- Machine Readable Zone (MRZ): Similar to those found on passports, this is used for automated border processing.
The Green Card uses several security features to prevent fraud and ensure the card’s authenticity, including holograms, microprinting, and a tactile feature. The design and features may be updated periodically to enhance security.
The main reason for holding a green card at all times is safety in the US. Before 9/11, this rule was not enforced, but since the increase in security threats, the government has established this rule: even if a person travels domestically, they must have their Green Card with them. Previously, an individual only had to carry it when returning from a foreign trip.
How do you get a Green Card?
To get a Green Card, you must meet certain eligibility criteria. The process can be very long, depending on your reasons for applying and your country of origin. Generally, there are two main groups that apply:
Work-related Green Card Holders
One way of getting a Green Card is through employment. Generally, it only applies to specialized roles for which there are few applicants already in the US. Your potential employer is involved in the application process, acting as your sponsor.
This is arguably the quickest way to get a Green Card through the traditional methods. You can read more about work-related visas and who qualifies for a Work Permit in the United States.
Family-based – Green Card Holders
The other common method for getting a Green Card is via family sponsorship. It only applies to immediate family and requires them to be US citizens. Specifically, you’re only eligible if you’re a spouse, child, or parent of a US citizen.
Other relatives can apply through the family preference program, but this isn’t always guaranteed. Getting a Green Card through the family is obviously less common than through work because it relies on existing connections with the country.
How do you get a Green Card if the above doesn’t apply to you?
If neither of these options applies to you, there are two more that might work. However, these are a bit more difficult because of the starting requirements.
What is a Green Card, and how can it be used for investment?
If you invest at least $800,000 in the American economy with an EB-5 Visa and create jobs as part of it, you automatically become eligible for a Green Card. Of course, this option requires a lot of money, but it essentially involves buying a pathway to citizenship.
The EB-5 investment amount increased from $500,000 to $800,000 on March 16, 2022, when President Joe Biden signed the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022. This legislation updated several aspects of the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, including the investment thresholds.
As of 2024, Chinese and Indian investors continue to be significant participants in the EB-5 Visa program, though the dynamics have evolved somewhat. The issuance of EB-5 visas saw a substantial year-over-year growth of 81% in the first quarter of FY2024, with Chinese, Vietnamese, and Indian nationals together accounting for nearly 88% of all visas issued during this period. Chinese and Indian investors remain among the largest groups to receive EB-5 visas, underscoring their ongoing strong involvement in the program.
However, investors from these countries face challenges due to visa backlogs. Particularly for Indian investors, final action dates for EB-5 applications jumped significantly, moving two years forward to December 1, 2020, which suggests an easing of previous backlogs. Despite this, the high demand from these nations means they continue to experience longer waiting times compared to other countries.
In addition, there are substantial backlogs for Urban Targeted Employment Area (TEA) projects, particularly affecting Chinese and Indian investors. Those investing in Urban TEA projects after February 2024 might face at least a five-year delay in obtaining their temporary Green Cards. This backlog is due to oversubscription in the Urban TEA category and the limited number of visas available compared to the number of investors.
Overall, while the EB-5 program is still a popular route for obtaining a Green Card in the U.S., the dynamics and specific challenges can vary significantly by investor nationality and the type of investment project.
Other options: How to apply for the Diversity Visa Program!
By far, the easiest option is to apply for a Green Card via the Diversity Visa Program, also known as the Green Card Lottery. All applicants can enter a yearly draw to win a Green Card without any of the other requirements being in place.
Your country must be on the Eligible Green Card Country List, which is updated yearly. For this, it must have sent fewer than 50,000 immigrants to the US in the previous 5 years. As such, the list changes regularly. Always check if your country is on the list before applying.
Important Facts to know as a Green Card holder.
Along with knowing which category best applies to you, there are some important things you must consider about Green Cards. These include:
Abiding by the Law as a Green Card holder.
This is an obvious one, but Green Card holders must abide by American law. Failing to do so can lead to you losing your Green Card, which in turn can mean deportation. At best, you might be sent to a US prison, although this in itself isn’t ideal.
What is a Green Card, and how do you renew it?
A Green Card lasts for 10 years. This doesn’t mean you lose your status, but like most passports, you need to get a new copy of the card six months before its expiry date.
Pathway to Citizenship as a Green Card holder.
Providing you continue to meet the criteria, you can apply for US citizenship after 5 years. Doing so brings a lot of benefits, as it puts you on the same level as people born in the country. Of course, it’s not a simple process and isn’t always guaranteed. Even so, it’s worth applying for if you plan to stay in the US long-term. What is a green card vs citizenship?
What is a Green Card, and how to get on easily?
Unless you have a job lined up or family in the country, the easiest way to get a Green Card is via the Electronic Diversity Immigrant Visa Program. Luckily, the US Green Card Office has a team of experts in this area. So, contact us for help to see if you’re eligible and to guide you through your application.
