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People with a Green Card, who are also called “permanent residents,” are allowed to live and work in the United States for good. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) gives proof of this status with a card called a “green card,” which shows that the person is a permanent resident.
Between 1946 and 1964, Green Cards were green, which is how they got their name. In 2010, they were made green again, but people still called them “green cards” even when they were blue, yellow, or pink.
Permanent U.S. residents who are 18 or older must always carry their U.S. Green Card, no matter what their name is. If you do win, you will
Green Card Lottery, the Green Card you get must be renewed every ten years. After ten years, it’s easy to renew a Green Card online. Conditional permanent residents must renew their Green Cards every two years. This includes people who got their Green Cards through marriage or investments.
You may already know that having a Green Card gives you a lot of benefits. The most obvious is that it lets you live in the United States permanently. But it’s worth looking into what this really has to offer.
The requirements and laws can change, but the benefits of having a Green Card don’t always change. So, if you want to make sure you’re following the rules when you apply for a Green Card, you should keep up with the latest news.
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Changes to immigration laws are explained in detail on our website, so be sure to look there. But here, we’ll talk about the 7 best advantages you can do with a Green Card.
Advantages of Having A Green Card
Of course, this list is by no means exhaustive, as there are certainly more than 7 benefits to being a legal permanent resident in the United States. However, this list should be enough for those thinking of applying to know whether or not it’s worth it.
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People with a Green Card, who are also called “permanent residents,” can live and work in the United States for good. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) gives permanent residents a “green card” that shows they are permanent residents.
Green Cards were green between 1946 and 1964, which is how they got their name. In 2010, they were made green again, but even when they were blue, yellow, or pink, people still called them “green cards.”
Permanent U.S. residents who are 18 or older and have a different name must always carry their U.S. Green Card. If you do win, you will. If you win the Green Card Lottery, you have to get a new one every ten years. A Green Card is easy to renew online after ten years. Every two years, conditional permanent residents must get a new Green Card. People who got their Green Cards through marriage or investments are part of this group.
You might already know that having a Green Card gives you a lot of benefits. The most obvious benefit is that it lets you stay in the U.S. for good. But you should see what this really has to offer.
The rules and requirements for getting a Green Card can change, but the benefits don’t always. So, if you want to make sure you’re following the rules when you apply for a Green Card, you should read the news.
Our website has a lot of information about changes to immigration laws, so be sure to look there. But here, we’ll talk about the seven most important things you can do with a Green Card.
People with a Green Card can help their close relatives come to live in the United States. The USCIS says that immediate family members are spouses and children under the age of 21 who are not married.
You’ll have to wait until you’re a US citizen to bring in other family members. All of these, like siblings and parents, count as members of the preference category. Having your immediate family with you is a great place to start, though.
More Manageable University Fee
Many colleges, universities, and vocational schools in the United States charge out-of-state and international students higher tuition fees. There are states where it could amount to over 50% more tuition per year. With a Green Card, you are considered an in-state resident and can save money on college tuition.
As a permanent legal resident, you are also eligible to apply for – and receive – federal financial aid for your education. You might also qualify for significant financial aid from the government to pay for your studies, which can diminish – if not eliminate – tuition costs.
So, one of the biggest benefits of having a Green Card (for all ages) is access to university education. Considering how much some American universities can cost, this is a pretty good way into the system.
You Can Live Anywhere You Choose in the Country
With a Green Card, you can live anywhere you want, which is one of the best things about it. When you think about how big and different the US is, this is a pretty big deal.
Of course, if you want to get a Green Card for work, you’ll usually have to live close to where you work. But there are no limits on where you can live if you enter with a family Green Card or a Diversity Visa Lottery win.
This can be a bit overwhelming, though, especially if you don’t know much about the US outside of its most famous cities. But it’s always a good idea to look for communities from your home country or spend some time learning more about what’s out there.
You could also talk to someone who works with immigration about what you want from your life in the United States and see what they suggest. The immigration team will assist you in submitting an error-free application with guaranteed approval. There are lawyers specific to regions in the US to help you such as a family immigration lawyer in Philadelphia.
International Travel is A Breeze
Getting in and out of the United States is much easier with a Green Card than with a temporary visa or a student visa. This is one of the best things about having a Green Card. US Immigration services have to let all people in who have a Green Card, which shows that they can stay in the country permanently.
Having a Green Card that has expired will, of course, change some things. It doesn’t mean you’re no longer a legal permanent resident, but it can look a little strange. So, always start the process of renewing your card at least 6 months before it runs out. Since it lasts 10 years, you should have a lot of time to plan.
Please keep in mind that if you leave the country for six months or more, you could run into more problems. US Immigration will then be able to ask you if you really want to make the US your permanent home. They could even take away your Green Card.
Access to the US’s Social Security System
The Social Security Administration (SSA), which is mostly paid for by payroll taxes, helps retirees and people with disabilities, as well as their families, stay financially stable. About 1 in 4 American families depend on the money they get from social security. These benefits range from help with food and child care to help with medical care.
Because they are permanent residents, people with a Green Card can get these social security benefits. For example, if someone has a Green Card and has worked in the United States for ten years, they can get retirement benefits.
This would also include the benefit of not having to pay for college, since it is paid for by the government. Even though people with a Green Card can’t get all the same social security benefits as citizens, it’s a good place to start.
But this could also be a problem (or a responsibility, depending on how you look at it): taxes. If you have a Green Card, you’ll have to file a tax return every year. If you don’t pay into the system, you can’t get anything out of it.
Compared to the tax system in your country, the US’s may be very complicated. So, having access to Social Security is obviously a huge benefit, but filing tax returns can be a huge downside, as any American will tell you.
Career Freedom (Under Certain Conditions)
Getting better job opportunities is another of the best things about having a Green Card. Green Cards based on employment are usually tied to the company that sponsored the application, but this doesn’t have to be permanent. You might be able to change jobs and keep your Green Card at the same time.
People with other types of Green Cards start out with a lot more freedom. For example, people who win the Diversity Visa Lottery can work any job they want, and so can the spouses of people who have Green Cards. This includes starting their own business, which is often seen as a key part of the “American Dream.”
But there are still some restrictions. For example, people with Green Cards can’t usually work in federal jobs that need security clearances. You’d have to be a full US citizen to do this.
Fewer Renewals Other Visas
A Green Card only needs to be renewed every 10 years. This is different from other types of residency permits, which need to be renewed every year or every two years. As was already said, the process to renew a Green Card begins about 6 months before the card’s expiration date. At that time, you need to fill out Form I-90 and send it to the USCIS.
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Conclusion
There are unquestionably a great number of positive aspects to holding a Green Card. There are many different ways to obtain a Green Card; however, entering the Green Card Lottery is likely the least difficult of these methods.