Green Card Benefits
The US Green Card enables you to access the United States as a permanent resident, minus the bureaucracy. If you are a green card holder and wish to reside permanently in the United States, there are no restrictions on where you can go, all 50 states are open to you. You can get almost all the rights of a US citizen, excluding voting, without giving up your current citizenship. If you determine you want to become a US citizen, you can petition for citizenship after five years of residing in the United States.
In order to get assistance with your green card application, call us at +1 844 290 6312. Our immigration attorneys can evaluate your eligibility for a Green Card and help you submit an application.
Page Contents
- What are the Benefits of a Green Card?
- The Responsibilities of Having a Green Card
- Limitations of Having a Green Card
- Public Benefits for Green Card Holders
- Financial Benefits for Students
- Working in The USA with A Green Card
- Moving to the USA as a Family
- Retirement in the USA
- How Can IAS USA Help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Benefits of a Green Card?
A U.S. green card enables an individual to reside, work, and begin the naturalization process in the country. The bearer of this card is considered a permanent resident of the US and therefore becomes qualified for many, but not all, of the same advantages as citizens.
The American government grants more than a million green cards each year. Three groups of persons are often granted permanent resident status: those who already possess a green card and are given a new one, relatives of U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and those in the country on work visas.
There are some benefits of green card holders:
- You may travel to and reside in any part of the United States. To travel, you are not required to verify your legal immigration status with government agencies.
- You are qualified for several federal benefits: Social Security and government-sponsored financial assistance for education. You also receive resident or in-state tuition rates at certain colleges and universities. You are eligible for Social Security benefits if you have lived long enough in the United States.
- You can register for a variety of jobs. Employment opportunities are greater for green card holders than for those with work visas. Permanent residents can, for instance, register for positions requiring security clearances and government work.
- Other family members may be sponsored for a green card. Families of permanent residents are given preference, although not as much preference as those of United States citizens. Spouses, children, parents, and siblings (as well as the children and spouses of those spouses, children, and siblings) are considered eligible family members.
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The Responsibilities of Having a Green Card
In general, those who have a valid green card have the same rights and obligations as American citizens, with the exception that they are not permitted to vote or hold political place in any capacity that calls for naturalization as a citizen of the United States:
- Respect federal, state, and local laws;
- You are required to file your income tax returns and disclose your income to both the Internal Revenue Service of the United States and the taxation authorities of the state in which you live;
- If you are a man between the ages of 18 and 25, you are required to register with the Selective Service;
- Notice the longest period of time that one may be absent from the United States, which is one year.
Limitations of Having a Green Card
There are several limitations of green card holders:
- You are not eligible to vote in American elections.
- When it comes to sponsoring family members for green cards, you will get a lesser priority than U.S. citizens would.
- You must renew your valid green card every ten years.
- Your green card cannot be given to another person. Children who are born in countries other than the United States are not automatically covered by it.
- A green card holder is not eligible to apply for a passport in the United States.
- If you have lived in the United States for at least eight years and then permanently departed the country, you will be required to pay taxes related to expatriation and leaving. This restriction is applicable even to former citizens of the United States who have given up their citizenship.
- Your application to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) does not ensure that you will be completely safe from deportation. For example, if you commit certain offenses, you may risk deportation under immigration law.
Public Benefits for Green Card Holders
You may be curious about the benefits of being a permanent resident of the United States, whether you already have a green card issued by the United States, or if you are in the process of submitting your application for a green card at the moment.
Green card holders are eligible for a variety of public benefits, such as:
- Supplemental Security Income
A programme called Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is available to low- or no-income families with blind, elderly, or handicapped members. The goal of this programme is to address the fundamental requirements of those who qualify by giving qualified individuals cash for housing, clothes, and food.
To determine your eligibility for this programme, you must do some research first. To apply for SSI after determining your eligibility, go to the Social Security Administration website. - Social Security Benefits
You could get credits each time you file your taxes as a permanent US resident if you work and pay Social Security taxes. Up to four credits may be earned annually, and after earning 40 credits (or working in the US for around ten years), you become eligible for Social Security benefits. For every US$1,160 earned up to a maximum of US$4,640, green card holders get 1 credit. If you’re married or have kids, they are eligible to get these benefits as your dependents. - Medicare
Most of the time, if a green card holder has lived in the country for at least five years, they may be eligible for medicare. However, owing to the program’s particular and stringent qualifying requirements, a new immigrant or a recent holder of a green card won’t be eligible for Medicare insurance. - SNAP EBT
Food stamps are provided via the SNAP EBT programme to low-income households and families with a disabled family member. If you are a green card holder and have been a legal citizen for at least five years, you can be eligible for this programme if your household has a low income. The monthly income requirement for eligible families in 2021 is $1,810 USD.
Financial Benefits for Students
Having a Green Card may help with the financial issue in a significant way. Depending on the institution, those who enter the country as permanent residents (i.e., holders of green cards) may save up to 80% on tuition.
You are qualified to receive government benefits like education grants or social security. Applicants for government-sponsored student financial assistance must be permanent residents. Additionally, several schools and institutions provide in-state or resident tuition rates to holders of green cards.
Working in The USA with A Green Card
The USCIS will send you a new Social Security card with a SSN (Social Security Number) after you have received your Green Card. You may work in the US, pay taxes, and transact with financial institutions using your SSN. While residing in the United States, having an SSN is necessary.
You may get social security benefits in the US if you have an SSN. You will pay Social Security taxes and get credit for them when you work in the United States. You may use it to get the rewards after you reach the required age after serving for around ten years.
Furthermore, your identity is made up of an SSN. It will be used by your employer to determine your eligibility, and certain businesses or organizations may request it in order to create new accounts. You must formally register with the US government and keep that registration current.
After receiving a green card, you must visit your local Social Security Administration office and complete the SS-5 form, or “Application for Social Security Card,” in order to update your SSN. There are 18 items total on this one form. You must provide supporting documentation to demonstrate your identity, citizenship, and age.
IAS can help you in your green card process and get your SSN. Call us on +1 844 290 6312.
Moving to the USA as a Family
U.S. immigration law enables some noncitizens who are relatives of citizens and legal permanent residents to get a Green Card and become lawful permanent residents. Citizens of the United States can bring in more distant relatives than permanent residents. In addition, applicants related to US citizens can obtain their Green Cards and enter the country more quickly than relatives of permanent residents.
The following “preference immigrant” categories for families include other family members who are qualified to apply for a Green Card:
- First preference (F1) is given to unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age and older) of U.S. citizens;
- second preference (F2A) is given to spouses and kids (unmarried and under 21 years of age) of legal permanent residents;
- third preference (F3) is given to married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens;
- and fourth preference (F4) is given to brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens (if that is possible).
Retirement in the USA
Green Card-holding retirees in the United States enjoy many benefits. If you are a retired green card holder, you are eligible for both your native country’s and the United States’ pensions. Green card retirees who reside in the United States are also eligible for Medicare along with other social welfare programs. The only requirement is five years of residence in the United States.
Individuals who move to the United States at age 65 or older may be eligible to receive Social Security benefits, just like citizens born in the United States. In other instances, immigrants may only participate in the retirement programs of their native country. Moreover, some immigrants are eligible for benefits in both countries.
How Can IAS USA Help?
Thousands of foreign nationals have decided to relocate permanently to the United States and are diligently researching their options for doing so. When applying for permanent residency in the United States, you will submit an application for a green card, which is evidence that the Green Card holder is a lawful permanent resident.
We are aware that these procedures sometimes might be confusing and complicated, and assistance often doesn’t appear to be readily available. However, our legal staff members are qualified and experienced enough to support you in getting the results you want.
Our team has already assisted many clients in obtaining a green card, and we are excited to offer you our outstanding services.
IAS will provide you with individualized legal advice and comprehensive support until you get your green card. For more information about the services we offer, and how we can help you with any issues relating to your green card or green card application, reach out to us at +1 844 290 6312, or contact us online.
Last modified on June 15th, 2023 at 8:58 am
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Frequently Asked Questions
Green Cards have no expiration date and are typically valid for ten years. If you have been granted permanent resident status with conditions, your certificate is valid for two years.
US citizens and individuals with green cards are eligible to register for a visa on arrival in Dubai. Visas are readily available upon landing at the airport, Dubai International
If you hold a Green Card from the United States and you are also a citizen of a third country that does not have a visa-free travel agreement with the European Union, you will need to apply for a Schengen Visa in order to be allowed to travel to Europe.