What Is A Lawful Permanent Resident?

A lawful permanent resident, also known as a Green Card holder, is a foreign national who has been granted the right to live and work in the United States indefinitely. The process of becoming a lawful permanent resident is known as obtaining a Green Card, which is a physical card that serves as proof of an individual’s permanent resident status.

Obtaining a Green Card can be a lengthy and complex process, as there are several different categories that an individual may fall under in order to be eligible for a Green Card. Some common categories include being sponsored by a family member who is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, being sponsored by an employer, or being a refugee or asylee. There are also special categories for individuals who have extraordinary abilities in certain fields, such as science, art, or athletics.

Once an individual has obtained a Green Card, they are allowed to live and work in the United States indefinitely, as long as they do not engage in any activities that would disqualify them from permanent resident status. This includes committing crimes, failing to pay taxes, or violating immigration laws.

Green Card holders also have the right to travel in and out of the United States, although they may need to obtain a travel document known as a re-entry permit if they plan to be outside the country for an extended period of time. Check out for more info.

One of the main advantages of being a lawful permanent resident is that it allows an individual to apply for U.S. citizenship after a certain period of time. In order to be eligible for citizenship, a Green Card holder must have lived in the United States as a permanent resident for at least five years, or three years if they are married to a U.S. citizen. They must also meet certain other requirements, such as being able to speak and read English and having a basic understanding of U.S. history and government.

Becoming a U.S. citizen has several benefits, including the right to vote in elections and to hold certain government jobs that are not available to non-citizens. It also allows an individual to petition for certain family members to come to the United States and become permanent residents themselves.

Although being a lawful permanent resident does not offer all of the same rights and privileges as U.S. citizenship, it is still a highly sought-after status as it allows an individual to live and work in the United States indefinitely and provides a pathway to citizenship. It is important for Green Card holders to understand their rights and responsibilities as permanent residents, as any actions that could disqualify them from permanent resident status could result in the loss of their Green Card and the ability to live and work in the United States.