American Green Card Information
- There are two types of green card issued to immigrants. A conditional green card is valid for two years and the holder is required to meet certain conditions, such as being married to the petitioning U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident or by making a substantial business investment in a new or existing business in order to remain eligible. Conditions may be lifted from the green card after two years of permanent residency. The other type of green card is the 10-year green card, which has no conditions.
- Holders of green cards are eligible to travel outside of the U.S. with few restrictions. When entering the U.S. after a trip away, they will be asked to present a green card and foreign passport. This information must also be presented in order to fly out of the country. The number of trips over the U.S. borders is not restricted; the green card acts like a multiple-entry visa in this case.
- A green-card holder is expected to maintain her primary residency in the U.S. If travel outside the U.S. for more than 180 consecutive days is needed, she must apply for and obtain a travel permit from the USCIS prior to travel. This will allow her to maintain her residency without jeopardizing her status in the U.S.
- It is legal for a green-card holder to work for any employer in the United States. The status is not tied to a single employer and the holder may change employers at will. There are no hourly limits for work with a green card. Green-card holders are issued a Social Security number and can apply for their card when they enter the U.S. They can also collect Social Security disability or retirement benefits when eligible.
- Once permanent residency is obtained, the path to citizenship has begun. Most green-card holders are eligible to apply for naturalization as a U.S. citizen after five years of continuous residency. Spouses of current citizens are eligible after three years. As long as residency has been maintained, the naturalization application can be filled out up to 90 days in advance of the anniversary of permanent residence, starting the naturalization process.