This information is offered primarily for educational reasons and does not constitute legal advice. The transmission of these papers is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship, and receipt does not constitute one. Readers should not act on the information in these FAQs without first consulting with a licensed attorney.
What is the definition of a lawful permanent resident?
A lawful permanent resident is someone who has been granted the indefinite permission to dwell in the United States. Permanent residence entails the ability to work in the United States for most employers or for yourself. Permanent residents retain their citizenship from another country.
Permanent residents receive a “alien registration card,” also known colloquially as a green card (because at one time the card was green in color). You can use your green card to show your eligibility for employment and to apply for a social security card.
As a permanent resident, is I allowed to go outside the United States?
A permanent resident may travel outside the United States but must provide a valid alien registration card upon re-entry. Also, a permanent resident must travel using an unexpired passport from another nation.
When you return to the United States, you are subject to the same grounds of inadmissibility as when you were granted permanent resident status (e.g., health-related concerns, certain criminal activity, terrorism, national security, public charge, willful misrepresentation and false claims to U.S. citizenship).
Is it legal for me to vote in US elections?
No, only citizens of the United States can vote in elections.
Can I lose my permanent address?
Yes. If you commit certain crimes or other infractions, you could be placed in removal procedures and deported.
Furthermore, if you remain outside the United States for an extended period of time (usually more than 6 months at a time), immigration officials may investigate your status to determine if you have abandoned your intention to make the United States your permanent home. Absences of one year or more result in the assumption that you have abandoned your permanent residence. That assumption is incredibly tough to overcome.
If you know you’ll be out of the country for a lengthy period of time, you should apply for a reentry permission before you leave. A reentry permit is normally good for two years and does not guarantee access into the United States.
What are my obligations as a permanent resident?
Permanent residents must do the following:
- As a resident, you must file income tax returns in the United States.
- Follow all federal, state, and local laws.
- Sign up for the Selective Service (if you are male and between age 18 through 25)
- Encourage the use of a democratic type of government.
- Use Form AR-11 to notify the USCIS of any address changes.
For further information, please visit the USCIS website.
What happens if my green card runs out?
You may renew your alien registration card up to 6 months before its expiration date by submitting Form I-90 (application to replace permanent resident card). For further information, go to the USCIS website.
Form I-751 must be used if you are a conditional permanent resident (petition to remove the conditions on residence).
Can permanent residents sponsor family members to visit the United States?
Yes. Permanent residents may petition for close family members (spouse and unmarried children) to get permanent residency and join them. Your family members, on the other hand, will be considered “preference relatives,” which means that only a limited number of immigrant visas are available to people in this category each year, and they will likely spend many years on a waiting list before being allowed to enter the US or obtain a green card.
When do permanent residents become eligible to seek for citizenship in the United States?
Permanent residents may petition to become U.S. citizens after a specific period of time – five years in most cases, three years for spouses of U.S. citizens – through a procedure known as naturalization.
Naturalization requires the following additional requirements:
- Excellent moral character
- English reading, writing, and speaking abilities
- Knowledge of American history and governance
- Continued residence in the United States as a permanent resident for at least 5 years prior to applying for naturalization, with physical presence in the United States for at least half of that period.
- For at least three months prior to the application, you must have lived in the state or USCIS district where you are applying.
What are some of the advantages of being a citizen of the United States?
A citizen of the United States may apply for a passport issued by the United States State Department. Numerous nations enable US citizens to travel visa-free.
A US citizen may leave and reenter the country at any time without being subject to inadmissibility. There are no temporal limits on how long you can stay outside the United States.
Citizens of the United States can vote in federal and municipal elections, perform certain government jobs, and serve on juries. Numerous federal and state government grants, scholarships, and benefits are exclusively available to citizens of the United States.
Citizens of the United States are eligible for special security clearance, which is necessary for various positions with the United States government and other employers.
You can petition for selected relatives to immigrate to the United States as a US citizen. Your spouse, unmarried children under the age of 21, and parents will be considered immediate relations and will not be required to wait for permanent residency (beyond the processing time of the petition and interview process). Your married children and children above the age of 21, as well as your brothers and sisters, are considered priority relatives and may be placed on an immigration waiting list. Siblings may have to wait for several years.
Citizens of the United States cannot be deported unless they committed fraud or misrepresented themselves in order to earn their green card or citizenship.
Is there any way to speed the processing of my naturalization application?
Naturalization applications are often not expedited. There is an expedited naturalization application expressly for permanent resident spouses of a U.S. citizen who will be taking an overseas assignment on behalf of a U.S. company. The N-400 processing times at various USCIS offices can be seen here.