Green Card vs Citizenship: Key Differences You Should Understand

Many foreign nationals dream about living and working in the United States.

Thanks to immigrant visas, some people with the desire and the right qualifications can make this dream a reality. However, some visas allow foreign nationals to stay only temporarily. Not all confer lawful permanent resident status.

To live in the United States freely over the long term, you’ll need to get a Green Card or become a U.S. citizen.

But what’s the difference between being a Green Card holder and being a citizen? Which is easier to get? Which one is the best fit for your goals?

In this article, we’ll answer these questions and more to help you decide whether one or both of these paths make sense for you.

What Is a Green Card?

The United States issues about one million Green Cards to foreign nationals each year.

A Green Card gives its recipient lawful permanent resident status in the United States. This means they can live and work in the country permanently. Green Card holders have permanent primary homes in the United States, but they are not citizens.

They enjoy the following rights.

Right to Live and Work in the United States

An individual with a permanent resident card can reside almost anywhere in the United States for as long as they wish, provided that they are not found guilty of serious crimes. However, they must continue to renew their physical Green Cards every 10 years.

They also have far greater opportunities than non-residents throughout the U.S. job market. Lawful permanent resident status expands the types of employment opportunities available and work location possibilities. Unlike holders of some other visa types, they can change jobs without employer sponsorship.

Access to Social Programs

Green Card holders may qualify for many social services, including Medicare, health insurance, and life insurance. It’s easier to be approved for government-backed mortgage loan programs, too.

Those who pay into the system via jobs can also receive Social Security benefits once they reach retirement age, and potentially other social welfare programs.

Children who are permanent residents can enroll in U.S. public schools. Those who are pursuing higher-level education will have a better chance of acceptance at U.S. universities, may qualify for federal student financial aid, and can also receive discounted in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities.

Property Rights

Permanent residents can buy and own property, including real estate, in the United States.

Legal Protections

Green Card holders have protection under U.S. law, including the right to a fair trial and access to the U.S. justice system.

Freedom to Travel

They can travel into and out of the United States freely.

However, repeated lengthy absences may attract greater scrutiny and questioning from U.S. immigration authorities about whether they intend to maintain their lawful permanent resident status. This increases the risk of permanent residence being revoked.

In general, it’s best for a Green Card holder to limit their foreign travel duration to less than one year at a time.

Ability to Sponsor Family Members

With Green Card status, an individual can sponsor immediate relatives for Green Cards.

Pathway to Citizenship

After five years of lawful permanent residence (three years if they are married to a U.S. citizen), a qualified Green Card holder can apply for U.S. citizenship via naturalization.

What Is the Difference Between Permanent Residency and Citizenship?

Unlike Green Card holders, U.S. citizens have the following rights and responsibilities:

Rights of Citizenship

• Voting: Citizens may participate in the political process by voting in any election, from local to federal elections.
• More Job Opportunities: Citizens gain even greater access to professional opportunities, including eligibility for many federal jobs at U.S. government agencies and associated federal benefits. Citizens generally have better employment prospects and higher salaries than noncitizens.
• Travel: Citizens can obtain passports. They have greater freedom to travel abroad for extended periods without incurring additional scrutiny from immigration authorities and risking deportation from the United States.
• Overseas Assistance: Citizens can access U.S. Citizen Services from U.S. embassies and consulates while abroad. This can include emergency financial and legal assistance, passport services, and help if you are the victim of a crime.
• Protection Against Deportation: Citizens cannot be deported to their former country even if they are convicted of serious criminal offenses. Citizenship is valid for life and cannot be revoked except under very unusual circumstances.
• Ability to Run for Office: Citizens can run for and hold most public offices as well as other political positions in America.
• Sponsorship: Citizens who sponsor immediate relatives for Green Cards will receive expedited processing.

Responsibilities of Citizenship

A U.S. citizen must also serve the country, and gains the following responsibilities:

• Allegiance: They must swear allegiance to the United States and renounce allegiance to any other country. They must also support the U.S. Constitution and U.S. laws.
• Taxes: They are required to file all applicable U.S. taxes for life, including on income earned abroad.
• Jury Duty: They must be willing to serve on a jury if summoned to do so.
• Selective Service Registration: Applies only to males between 18 and 25 years old.

How to Become a U.S. Citizen

The main way to become a U.S. citizen is through birth in the United States or by having at least one U.S. citizen parent.

For foreign nationals, the most common route to citizenship is via naturalization. This requires you to first become a permanent resident (Green Card holder).

How Can You Acquire a Green Card?

These are some of the most popular ways for a foreign national to become a permanent resident.

• Sponsorship by a relative: Spouses, children, or siblings of U.S. citizens (or Green Card holders in some cases) may qualify for family-based visas.
• Green Card Lottery: Also called the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program. This allows individuals from countries with low immigration rates to the United States to apply for immigrant visas.
• Be a priority worker or have an extraordinary ability (EB1): The employment-based first preference visa is intended for those with exceptional abilities and achievements or those with qualifying professional experiences.
• Have an advanced degree or exceptional ability (EB2): The employment-based second preference visa is intended for those who are highly educated, have exceptional abilities, or have skills judged to be of great value to U.S. national interests.
• Be a skilled worker, professional, or unskilled worker (EB3): The employment-based third preference visa is intended for those who can fill labor gaps in the United States.
• Make a qualifying investment (EB-5): The employment-based fifth preference visa is intended for foreign investors who create jobs for U.S. workers with qualifying investments.

How to Convert a Green Card to Citizenship

Lawful permanent residency is a stepping stone to U.S. citizenship by naturalization.

Below are some of the prerequisites before applying for citizenship as a permanent resident:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Maintain lawful permanent resident status for at least five years.
• Be able to speak and write English.
• Pay your taxes on time and in full.
• Abide by the law and have a clean criminal record.

Citizenship by Naturalization: Key Steps

Be ready to do the following under the U.S. citizenship by naturalization application process:

• Submit Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, along with the correct fees and documentation to USCIS.
• Complete an in-person biometrics appointment. You’ll have to provide fingerprints, signatures, and other identifying information.
• Pass an interview focused on your application and background.
• Pass an English language and U.S. civics test.
• Wait for a decision from USCIS on your application.
• Attend a naturalization ceremony and take the oath of allegiance.

Expect the naturalization process to take several months from start to finish.

EB5AN Opens Doors to Green Cards and Eventual Citizenship

Most foreign nationals must become lawful permanent residents of the United States before they can apply to become U.S. citizens.

Since 1990, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program has been one of the most reliable and straightforward paths to lawful permanent residency.

The EB-5 application process can be complex. Be sure to work with an experienced immigration attorney and trusted partners with a track record of success before you apply.

EB5AN has helped more than 2,300 families from 70+ countries relocate to the United States as lawful permanent residents. Our expert team has more than a decade of experience, and offers clients first-rate, low-risk EB-5 regional center projects with 100% USCIS project approval rate to date.

To learn more about how you can become an EB-5 Green Card holder—and eventually a U.S. citizen, book a free call with us today.