Green Card: Living and Working in the United States

The Green Card, also known as a Permanent Resident Card, allows non-Americans to live, work, and study in the United States permanently. This makes the Green Card the undisputed number 1 most popular visa in the world, since it allows non-American travellers to fulfill their dream of emigrating to the US and become an American citizen after 5 years.

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What is a Green Card ?

With a U.S. Permanent Resident Card - also called Green Card - you can live and work in the United States of America permanently. As a Green Card holder you have almost all the rights of a US citizen and the possibility to become a citizen after living in the USA for five years. Hence, the Green Card is your ticket to the land of your dreams!

Immigration made easy

Obtaining a Green Card offers a more stable and long-term option for living in the United States compared to temporary work visas with expiration dates. The permanence and lifetime validity of a Lawful Permanent Residence status provide a sense of security and assurance for individuals looking to settle in the country permanently. Temporarily visas, on the other hand, come with the constant need for renewal and the risk of not being able to remain in the US long-term.

The Green Card as an ID

The Green Card indicates your legal status as a permanent resident and includes important identifying information, such as your name, photo, and date of birth. In addition to serving as a form of identification, it is also necessary for accessing certain benefits and services, such as healthcare and social security.

The US Green Card
Example Green Card
The current US Green Card as of 2024

The Green Card serves as proof of your lawful permanent resident status in the United States. Without it, you may have difficulties accessing certain services and benefits, employment opportunities, healthcare, and educational resources.

A Green Card contains the following elements or data:

  • The Cardholder's name, photograph and fingerprint
  • The USCIS number (uniquely assigned number)
  • The Visa category e.g. "DV1" for the Green Card Lottery
  • Country and date of birth
  • Date of issue, and expiration date

Several changes have been implemented to increase the security of the Green Card

  • Highly secure holographic images
  • Embedded security chip
  • Biometric data such as a fingerprint

It is important to keep your Green Card with you at all times to avoid any potential issues. If you lose your Green Card or it is stolen, it is essential to report the loss or theft to the proper authorities and apply for a replacement as soon as possible.

What does a Green Card look like?

As of 2024, the current Green Card color is mostly pale green. While the majority of Green Cards are green, there have been instances of other colors such as pink and blue being used for different types of cards or during specific time periods. The decision to return to a green design for the Green Card was likely intended to reinforce the traditional association of the card with its namesake color.

First Steps when applying for a Green Card

To apply for a Green Card, the first step is to determine your possibilities for immigrating to the US. This can be done through family sponsorship, employment, refugee or asylum status, or other special programs. The application process for a Green Card will vary depending on your reason for immigrating to the US or the type of your qualifications.

Green Card Lottery
Who Yourself
Where We submit your Application
Obstacles Very few
How Apply now
Employment-based Green Card
Who Your employer in the US
Where U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Obstacles Long wait times and significant uncertainty
How Learn more
Family-based Green Card
Who Your relative*
Where U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Obstacles Long wait times
How Learn more
Investment-based Green Card
Who Yourself
Where U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Obstacles Minimum investment of $800,000
How Learn more

*Your relative must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

Green Card Application process

To apply for a Green Card, eligible foreign nationals must first fill out and submit an application, then attend an in-person interview and pass a background check. Once approved, the applicant is granted a permanent resident visa and is allowed to legally live and work in the United States. We will submit your application and guide you through every step until your Green Card is issued. This can be lengthy process, however the benefits of having a Green Card are substantial.

Green Card Benefits
Permanent Residency

Permanent Residency in the US

Work permit

A Work permit to work anywhere in the US

Easy entry

Easy entry and exit without a visa or ESTA

Education

Government-sponsored financial aid for education

Family

*Family members are eligible for a Green Card as well

Citizenship

Apply for US citizenship after 5 years

*Eligible Family members only include your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21

Additional Benefits of living in the US
  • Economic Opportunity
    The US has been home to a vibrant labor market thanks to its very large number of private businesses. This allows immigrants and newcomers to pick up work soon after arriving in the United States and, over time, gradually increase their skills and earnings.
  • Environment
    According to the OECD's Better Life Index, the United States rank first in housing and among the top nations in terms of average income, health, education, skills, jobs, safety, and environmental quality.
  • Quality of Life
    According to Numbeo's 2022 Quality of Life Index, 40 out the top 100 cities with the highest quality of life are in the United States.
Green Card vs. US Visa
Work permit Permanent Residency Life-long validity Citizenship after 5 years Right to vote Medicare Government-sponsored aid for education
US Visa
Green Card
US Citizenship
What does a Green Card cost

We provide a paid service for putting together all required forms and documents and by submitting them to U.S Authorities. This will require an application fee depending on the plan you choose. If your entry is selected there will be additional fees connected with your immigration to the United States. This will include:

  • The USCIS Immigrant fee of $220
  • The Biometrics Services fee of $85
  • The State Department Processing fee of $325
  • The Medical Examination is around 200$ but this amount can vary significantly.

Click here to learn more about the cost of a Green Card

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Green Card renewal

Your Green Card is valid for up to 10 years. If your Green Card is expired or about to expire within the next 6 months, you must renew it. If you let your Green Card expire you are still a lawful permanent US resident and you can keep that status for life.

Nevertheless you must have a valid Green Card with you at all times as it identifies you as a lawful permanent resident.

You must renew your Green Card if:

  • You lost your Green Card
  • Your Green Card is about to expire within the next six months
  • Your Green Card has already expired
  • You received a Green Card below the age of 14 and now turn 14
  • Your personal information has changed (example: you changed your name)

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How to renew a Green Card

You can renew your Green Card by filing Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. This form should be filed within six months before the Green Card expiration date. The renewal process requires submission of the form along with required fees, current photos, evidence of any name changes, and evidence of continuation of permanent residency status.
Make sure to:

  • File From I-90
  • Prepare current photos
  • Bring a passport in case your Green Card has been lost
  • Be prepared to show evidence in case there is a change in your personal information (example: you changed your name).

After the USCIS finished reviewing your request, your Green Card will be renewed for an additional 10 years.

Eligibility for a Green Card renewal

The USCIS will deny a request for a Green Card renewal if:

  • You have committed a crime that makes you deportable
  • You have stayed abroad for more than 12 months
How to apply for U.S. citizenship

The path of becomming a U.S. citizen as a Green Card holder requires filling out Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. Before doing so, it is important to meet all eligibility requirements, including maintaining continuous residence in the US for at least five years (or three years if you are married to a US citizen).
You must:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Be able to read, write and speak basic English.
  • Renew your Green Card if it will expire within six months or if it has already expired.
  • Have spent a minimum of 30 months in the US within the last five years (18 months within the last three years if married to a U.S. citizen)
  • Have a clean criminal record
  • Respect the United States Constitution (violations of the law)
  • Have sufficient knowledge of American history and government

Click here to learn more about the Naturalization and U.S. citizenship

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