Green Card

Green Card: What It Means, How It Works, Requirements

What is a green card?
A green card is the informal name for the Permanent Resident Card issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It identifies noncitizens who are authorized to live and work in the United States indefinitely. The nickname comes from the card’s historic green color.

Key takeaways
* A green card grants lawful permanent resident status and employment authorization.
* Common pathways: family, employment, refugee/asylee status, special programs (including the Diversity Visa lottery and investor programs).
* The Diversity Visa (DV) lottery awards up to about 55,000 visas annually; demand far exceeds supply.
* Green cards generally expire every 10 years and must be renewed.
* Permanent residents age 18+ are legally required to carry their card; failure to do so can result in fines or jail.

How a green card works
Permanent resident status can be obtained through several main channels:
* Family-based immigration — spouses, children, parents, and certain other relatives of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.
* Employment-based immigration — through employer sponsorship or certain job categories that qualify for immigrant visas.
* Humanitarian categories — refugees and asylees may adjust status to permanent residency.
* Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV lottery) — a lottery intended to increase immigration from countries with historically low rates of U.S. immigration.
* Investor route (EB‑5 and similar programs) — qualifying investments above set thresholds may provide a path to permanent residency.
* Other special programs — various statutory provisions and humanitarian programs can also lead to a green card.

Eligibility rules and obligations
* Carrying the card: Permanent residents 18 or older must carry their green card at all times. Penalties for not carrying it can include fines (up to about $100) or jail (up to 30 days).
* Expiration and renewal: Most green cards expire every 10 years and must be renewed before expiration. Certain older cards (issued in specific past periods) may not have an expiration date.
* Conditional permanent residence: Individuals who received status through recent marriage or certain investment programs often receive conditional green cards valid for two years. They must file a petition to remove conditions (and demonstrate the qualifying relationship or investment) generally 90 days before the card’s expiration to obtain full permanent status.

The Diversity Visa (DV) lottery
* Purpose: The DV program increases immigration diversity by making visas available to nationals of countries with low recent immigration to the U.S.
* Scale and eligibility: The program makes up to roughly 55,000 immigrant visas available each year. Countries that have sent more than a set threshold of immigrants to the U.S. in recent years are excluded from eligibility.
* Family members: If a principal entrant wins and properly listed qualifying family members on the application, the spouse and any unmarried children under age 21 can also be eligible.
* Demand: Applications often number in the millions, while available visas are limited, so selection and eventual visa issuance represent a small fraction of applicants.

Practical tips
* Always list eligible family members on DV entries if you want them included.
* Keep your green card current—start renewal well before expiration.
* If you hold conditional status, track the deadline to remove conditions and file the required petition in time.
* For investor or employment pathways, consult official USCIS guidance or an immigration attorney about specific financial thresholds and documentation requirements.

Conclusion
A green card confers long-term legal residence and the right to work in the U.S., but it comes with specific eligibility rules, documentation requirements, and ongoing obligations (carrying the card and renewing it). Routes to a green card include family ties, employment, humanitarian relief, the DV lottery, and certain investor programs; each path has its own procedures and deadlines.