This material is offered primarily for educational reasons; it does not constitute legal counsel. Receiving these papers does not establish an attorney-client relationship, nor does their transmission. Readers should first consult a trained attorney before using these FAQs’ information.
What is a lawful permanent resident?
A permanent resident of the country has been allowed permission to live there permanently. The ability to work in the United States for most businesses or on your own is a benefit of permanent residence. Permanent residents are still entitled to citizenship in another nation.
An “alien registration card,” sometimes known as a “green card,” unofficially (because of the card’s former green tint), is given to permanent residents. You can apply for a card from Social Security and use your green card to demonstrate your employment eligibility.
Can I travel outside the united states as a permanent resident?
A permanent resident can leave the country but must return with a current alien registration card. A permanent resident should also travel with a valid passport from another nation.
The same grounds for refusal applied when you were granted permanent resident status still use when you try to enter the country again (such as health-related issues, certain criminal activity, terrorism, national security, public charge, willful misrepresentation, and false claims to U.S. citizenship).
Can I cast my ballot in American elections?
No, you cannot vote in elections unless you are a citizen of the United States.
Can I move out of my permanent home?
Yes. You may be susceptible to deportation if you are found guilty of certain crimes or other infractions and placed in removal procedures.
Additionally, the immigration authorities may examine your status to see if you have given up on your aim to make the U.S. your permanent home if you spend a lot of time abroad (usually more than six months at a time). Any time you are gone for more than a year, your permanent abode is assumed to have been abandoned. It is quite challenging to go over that assumption.
If you know you’ll be gone from the country for a while, you should apply for reentry permission before you go. A reentry permit, normally provided with a two-year validity period and does not ensure that you will be admitted to the United States, might help you prove that you want to live there permanently.
What obligations do I have as a permanent resident?
All permanent residents must:
- As a resident, I file income tax returns in the US.
- Respect all federal, state, and local laws. Sign up for the Selective Service
- if you’re a guy between 18 and 25
- In favor of a democratic system of governance
- Use Form AR-11 to notify the USCIS of any address changes
To learn more, visit the USCIS website.
What occurs if my green card runs out?
By submitting Form I-90 (application to replace permanent resident card), you may request a renewal of your alien registration card up to six months before it expires. For further information, go to the USCIS website.
Use Form I-751 (petition to remove the conditions on residence) if you are a conditional permanent resident.
Can permanent residents sponsor their relatives to immigrate to the United States?
Yes. Close relatives (spouse and unmarried children) can apply to become permanent residents and move live with you if you are a permanent resident. However, because they will be categorized as “preference relatives,” your family members might have to wait many years to enter the country or receive a green card. This is because only a certain number of immigrant visas are available to people in this category each year. You may find further details on the USCIS website.
When may permanent residents seek citizenship in the United States?
Permanent residents have the option to seek to become citizens of the United States through the naturalization process after a specific period of time, usually five years in most cases and three years for spouses of citizens.
Other conditions for naturalization include:
- A morally upright person
- reading, writing, and speaking English fluency
- knowledge of American history and governance
- Five years of continuous permanent residency in the United States before applying for citizenship, with at least 2 of those years spent physically in the country.
- Residence for at least three months previous to the application in the state or USCIS district where the application is made
Application for Naturalization Form N-400 is used to submit the request. Please visit the USCIS website for further information and tips.
What are some advantages to being a citizen of the U.S.?
A citizen of the United States may apply for a passport that the U.S. State Department grants. Americans can travel to a large number of nations without a visa.
A citizen of the United States is not barred from leaving and entering the country again at any point due to inadmissibility. No limitations exist on how long you can stay outside the country.
Citizens of the United States can vote in federal and municipal elections, hold certain public offices, and serve on juries. Only citizens of the United States are eligible for several national and state government grants, scholarships, and perks.
Citizens of the United States are entitled to special security clearances necessary for various positions with the U.S. government and other businesses.
You can apply for certain relatives to come to the United States as a U.S. citizen. In addition to the time it takes for the petition and interview to be processed, your spouse, unmarried children under 21, and parents will be regarded as direct relatives. They won’t have to wait to get permanent residence status. Your siblings and sisters, married children, and children over 21 are considered priority relatives and may be added to a waiting list for immigration. Siblings may need to wait for several years.
U.S. citizens cannot be expelled from the country unless they used fraud or deception to gain their citizenship or green card.
Can I speed up the naturalization procedure for my application?
In general, naturalization applications cannot be hastened. When a U.S. citizen spouse is undertaking an abroad assignment on behalf of a U.S. company, an application for accelerated naturalization is available expressly for permanent residents. You can find the processing timeframes for the N-400 at various USCIS locations here.
