Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

For millions of people around the world, the stuff dreams are made of include a green card. Unfortunately, for most of them the possibility of getting a green card is as remote as winning the jackpot in the lotto!

A Green Card is a permanent visa to the USA which gives you the status of permanent resident and legal rights to work in United States. But did you know that a green card is actually not in green in color? The official name of the card is Permanent Resident Card (form I-551). The name “green card” comes from the fact that the predecessor, Alien Registration Receipt Card (form I-151), introduced at the end of World War II, was printed on green paper. Form I-551 was adopted in 1979 and has been printed on paper of various colors, none of which was green, but the term “green card” has nonetheless remained in use. Currently, the card is mostly yellowish-white and the only prominent green feature is the background of the lettering on the back. A card includes the holder’s name and photograph, and other information, and has been updated over the years with numerous anti-counterfeiting devices.

Benefits of a Green Card

A Green Card doesn’t mean citizenship. However, it’s just one step away from that; you might apply for citizenship after holding Green Card status for a certain period of time.

A Green Card is not issued for a lifetime. It is for a specific period, which is normally for 10 years. You need to revalidate it after that limit, if you choose to remain a non-citizen.

A Green Card allows you the freedom not only to reside in America but also the freedom to leave and return to the US anytime, to seek employment, to study according to your wish. It gives you many of the same rights as an American citizen and you can also retain your citizenship in your native country. With a green card, you can expand your business in America without any problems.

A green card holder can apply for United States citizenship, or naturalization, after five years of residency. This period is shortened to three years if married to a US citizen, or four years if permanent residency was received through political asylum.

However, Lawful Permanent Residents generally do not have the right to vote, the right to be elected in federal and state elections, the ability to bring family members to the United States (however permanent residents are allowed to sponsor certain family members), or eligibility for certain federal government jobs. Permanent residents pay taxes on their worldwide income, like US citizens.

The Path To A Green Card

There are 5 main ways an individual can obtain permanent residency or green card for United States: Sponsorship by an Employer, Investment, Sponsorship by a close Family Member in the United States, The Diversity Visa Lottery Program and Asylum & Refugee Status.

An immigrant usually has to go through a three-step process to get permanent residency. The whole process of getting a green card may take several years or decades, depending on the type of immigrant category and the country of birth.