Categories: WORLD

Green Card: 3 Things Not to Do After Becoming a Legal Permanent Resident of the United States

Green card holders are not U.S. citizens and they are not eligible to vote in any election.

A whole new set of laws will apply when individuals receive their information green card In the US after years of waiting and doing a lot of paperwork. Many green card holders get into trouble because they claim to be U.S. citizens and think they can vote, but a green card only makes an individual a legal permanent resident of the country, not a U.S. citizen. Immigration attorney Moumita Rahman explains what to expect after receiving a green card in the United States.

What green card holders can do

  • Green card holders are eligible for U.S. citizenship. If you obtained your green card by marrying a U.S. citizen and continue to live with your spouse, you can apply for naturalization after three years, while other categories take five years.
  • Green card holders can apply for other family members, unmarried adult children, etc. Unlike U.S. citizens, relatives of green card holders are not considered family members, and although green card holders can petition for relatives, approval will depend on visa availability.
  • As a green card holder, you are no longer tied to your employer. You can change jobs, change fields. But you should be careful when leaving the employer that sponsored your green card immediately after being approved.
  • Green card holders can start companies, hire employees, and purchase commercial real estate.

What green card holders cannot do

  • Green card holders are not allowed to vote in any election. It does not matter how many years a green card holder has lived in the United States. Pay taxes etc.
  • Green card holders cannot serve on juries. If someone receives any notice of jury duty, they must inform authorities that they are not a U.S. citizen but a green card holder.
  • You cannot claim to be a U.S. citizen in any way. Never check the boxes on any form as this can lead to trouble.

What green card holders must do

  • File your taxes every year like a U.S. citizen. It should be filed as a U.S. tax resident and not as a nonresident alien. Green card holders must report their worldwide income.
  • When you move, you must update your address with USCIS within 10 days, even if it is across the street.
  • If there are any conditions on your green card, you must remove those conditions.
  • Renew your green card before it expires.
  • Men between the ages of 18 and 25 must register for the Selective Service within 30 days of turning 18 or 30 days of receiving their green card, whichever is earlier.
  • Must physically reside in the United States for six months.
Tags: American green card holderCan green card holders vote?green cardGreen Card NewsGuide to U.S. Permanent ResidentsObligations of green card holdersU.S. Citizenship Application
4 days ago
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