When a person receives his or her green card in the US after waiting years and completing a lot of paperwork, a new set of laws come into effect. Many green card holders get into trouble because they claim to be US citizens and think they can vote but a green card only makes a person a legal permanent resident in the country, not a US citizen. Immigration lawyer Moumita Rahman explains what happens after getting a green card in the US.
What can a green card holder do?
- The green card holder becomes eligible for US citizenship. If you received your green card through marriage to a US citizen and you continue to live with your spouse, you can apply for naturalization after three years, and for other categories it is five years.
- A green card holder can petition for other family members, unmarried adult children, etc. Unlike US citizens, a green card holder’s relatives are not considered their family members and although a green card holder can petition for a relative, their approval will depend on the availability of a visa.
- As a green card holder, you are no longer tied to your employer. You can change jobs, change fields. But one should be careful about leaving their employer who sponsored the employment-based green card soon after approval.
- Green card holders are allowed to start a company, hire employees, and purchase commercial property.
What a green card holder can’t do
- Green card holders are not allowed to vote in any election. It does not matter how many years the green card holder has lived in the US. pay taxes etc
- Green card holders cannot do jury duty. If someone receives a notice for jury duty, they must inform the authorities that they are not a US citizen but a green card holder.
- You cannot claim to be a US citizen in any way. Never check the box on any form as it will invite trouble.
What should a green card holder do?
- File taxes every year like a US citizen. It must be filed as a US tax resident and not as a non-resident alien. Green card holders must report their worldwide income.
- You must keep your address updated with USCIS within 10 days whenever you move, even if it’s across the street.
- If your green card has any conditions, you must remove the conditions.
- Renew your green card before it expires.
- Men between the ages of 18 and 25 must register for Selective Service within 30 days of turning 18 or within 30 days of receiving a green card – whichever comes first.
- Will have to be physically present in America for six months.
