What are the disadvantages of a green card?

Why you shouldn't get a green card?

Another huge tax consequence to consider before getting a Green Card is double taxation. Even though Green Card holders are required to pay US taxes, certain countries may still require their citizens to pay taxes in their home country, resulting in the foreign national getting taxed twice.

What can green card holders not do?

Green card holders cannot vote or run for public office; are not eligible for federal government jobs; cannot travel abroad for long periods; cannot sponsor family for green cards; and can be deported.

Can I stay on green card forever?

Although some Permanent Resident Cards, commonly known as Green Cards, contain no expiration date, most are valid for 10 years. If you have been granted conditional permanent resident status, the card is valid for 2 years. It is important to keep your card up-to-date.

Which is better green card or citizenship?

Simply put, the green card holder can legally live and work in the country. However, there are other benefits that the green card holder doesn't have that a citizen would have, one of which includes voting rights. It can take a couple of years for the green card holder to obtain permanent citizenship.

The Pros and Cons of Getting a Green Card

Can I get a U.S. passport with a green card?

Note, only citizens of the United States and non-citizen nationals can apply for a U.S. passport. Green card holders cannot obtain a United States passport unless they first become citizens.

How long do you have to stay in the US to maintain your green card?

Leaving the United States for less than six months is usually not a problem. An absence of six to 12 months triggers heightened USCIS scrutiny, and an absence of more than 12 months leads to a “rebuttable presumption” that LPR status has been abandoned.

Can you lose green card after divorce?

The good news is that there is nothing in U.S. immigration law saying that once people are divorced or their marriage is annulled, their efforts to get a green card are automatically over.

What benefits do green card holders have?

You are eligible to receive federal benefits such as social security or education assistance. Permanent residents may apply for government-sponsored financial aid for education. Additionally, green card holders are entitled to in-state or resident tuition rates at certain colleges and universities.

Can I lose my green card if I live abroad?

U.S. lawful permanent residents (green card holders) can lose their immigration status while living and working outside the United States, even if they visit the country often. Once immigrants have received a green card, they typically want to keep U.S. residency and have the ability to travel abroad.

How long can you stay out of the country with a green card?

The law states that if a Green Card holder remains outside of the United States for one year and one day during any one trip, they are considered to have abandoned their residency and lose their Green Card and permanent resident status.

Does a green card holder have to live in the US?

Your Rights as a Permanent Resident

As a permanent resident (Green Card holder), you have the right to: Live permanently in the United States provided you do not commit any actions that would make you removable under immigration law.

Can you be deported with a green card?

Even someone with a green card (lawful permanent residence) can, upon committing certain acts or crimes, become deportable from the United States. By Ilona Bray, J.D. U.S. law contains a long list of grounds upon which non-citizens or immigrants may be deported (removed) back to their country of origin.

How difficult is green card?

No matter how you attempt it, it's not easy to get a green card. The process of getting a green card can be very long and complicated. Doing it incorrectly could waste years and a lot of money. It also could expose you to deportation, criminal charges, and being barred from ever entering the US.

What disqualifies you from getting a green card?

Under U.S. immigration law, three types of criminal convictions make you “inadmissible.” This means if you have a conviction for any of these three types of crimes, you can't get a green card: Aggravated felonies. Illegal drug involvement. Crimes involving moral turpitude.

What to do after getting a green card?

Can I change job after getting green card?

Once your employment sponsored I-485 is approved, you are a lawful permanent resident able to work for whomever you wish (or not at all). Many attorneys, myself included, advise you to not change positions or employers until 180 days or six months from the date of filing the I-485 or after approval.

What rights do you have with a green card?

A green card gives its holder the legal right to live and work in the U.S. on a permanent basis (as long as they abide by certain terms). You can apply for many government jobs with a green card, though some are reserved for U.S. citizens. Green card holders also receive various health, educational, and other benefits.

How long do you have to stay married for green card?

When you obtain a green card through marriage, it will either be a permanent renewable green card that is valid for ten years or a conditional two-year green card. The conditional green card is issued to applicants that have been married for less than two years at the time the green card is issued.

Who gets a 10-year green card?

If you got your residency through your employer or your parent or adult child or brother or sister you will be issued the regular 10-year card. Also if you get residency through marriage and have been married more than two years at the time you are granted then you also will get the regular 10-year card.

How long after green card can I get citizenship?

All green card holders, as long as they meet key conditions, can apply for U.S. citizenship after five years (known as the “five-year rule”) — but those with a U.S. spouse and a green card through marriage can apply after only three years (known as the “three-year rule”).

What happens if a green card holder stay out of the country more than 6 months?

If you are abroad for 6 months or more per year, you risk “abandoning” your green card. This is especially true after multiple prolonged absences or after a prior warning by a CBP officer at the airport.

Can green card holder go to Canada?

United States green card holders are considered lawful permanent residents of US and require eTA Canada Visa (Electronic Travel Authorization) to travel to Canada, if coming by plane.

What countries can you visit with US green card?

Can US green card holders travel to Europe?

Do Green Card Holders Need a Visa to Travel to Europe? US Green Card holders, who are also nationals of third countries that have not established a visa-free regime with the EU, will need to obtain a Schengen Visa, in order to be able to travel to Europe.