What is a green card; rights and obligations

This page is for people considering getting a green card and those who have recently become green card holders. It explains what rights your green card gives you, what obligations you assume in return, and what you need to pay attention to in order to keep the card. The ways to obtain the card are explained separately under sections 3.2–3.8.

• The official name of the green card is Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551). It gives you the right to live and work permanently in the United States.
• The cardholder is considered a "lawful permanent resident" (LPR).
• The card is generally valid for 10 years.
• The first card obtained through marriage or investment is a 2-year conditional card. See 3.10 Conditional green card and removal of conditions.
• According to USCIS, permanent resident status continues until you become a citizen or lose or abandon the status. The card itself is renewed when it expires.

• Through family: The spouse, unmarried child under 21, and parents of a U.S. citizen; as well as family preference categories subject to quotas. See 3.2 Green card through family.
• Through employment: EB-1, EB-2 (including the national interest waiver), and EB-3. See 3.4 Green card through employment.
• Through investment: EB-5. See 3.5 Green card through investment (EB-5) and the "Gold Card".
• Diversity visa (DV, "lottery"): See 3.6 Diversity visa.
• Asylum and refugee status: At least 1 year after obtaining status. See 3.7 Green card through asylum and refugee status.
• Other routes: Special immigrants such as religious workers, victims of human trafficking (T visa) and crime (U visa), and abused spouses, children, or parents (VAWA).
• For whether the application will be made from within the United States or from Türkiye, see 3.8 Application process.

• Live permanently anywhere in the United States. This right applies as long as you do not commit an act requiring your removal under immigration law.
• Work in any lawful job for which you qualify and that you choose. Some jobs are open only to citizens for security reasons.
• Benefit from the protection of all laws of the United States, your state, and your local government.
• Own property, attend public school, and obtain a driver’s license in your state.
• Receive Social Security, SSI, and Medicare if you meet the requirements. See 16.1 What benefits can immigrants receive?
• Join certain units of the U.S. armed forces.
• Request immigrant visas for your spouse and unmarried children (F2A and F2B categories).
• Travel abroad and return to the United States under certain conditions.
• Apply for U.S. citizenship when you meet the requirements.

• Comply with all federal, state, and local laws.
• File income tax returns and report your income to the U.S. tax authority (IRS) and the state tax authority. For who is considered a "resident" for tax purposes, see 15.1 Tax residency.
• Support democratic government. This support does not include voting.
• Men between 18 and 25 must register with the Selective Service System.
• If you are 18 or older, carry your status document with you at all times. You must show it if requested by an immigration or law-enforcement officer.
• Report your address to USCIS within 10 days after moving.
  • The fastest way is your USCIS online account; your address is updated immediately in the system.
  • A paper Form AR-11 also fulfills the legal obligation. AR-11 is free.
• Maintain your status: avoid extended non-temporary absences abroad and do not identify yourself as a "nonimmigrant" on your tax return.

• Those arriving from Türkiye with an immigrant visa:
  • After your visa is issued, you pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee online: $235.
  • USCIS recommends paying the fee after receiving the visa and before departing for the United States. You may also pay after arriving in the United States. The card will not be sent until the fee is paid.
  • A family member, friend, employer, or attorney may also pay the fee. They need your Alien Number (A-Number) and Department of State case number (DOS Case ID). This information is given to you at the Embassy.
  • K fiancé(e) visa holders and returning residents (SB-1) do not pay this fee.
  • You are admitted as a permanent resident upon entering the United States. The card is mailed to the address you gave the Department of State at your interview.
  • If your address has changed, give your new address to the border officer (CBP) upon entry.
• Those obtaining it through adjustment of status from within the United States (Form I-485): do not pay a separate immigrant fee; the I-485 filing fee is sufficient.

• You replace the card using Form I-90 in the following situations:
  • if the card has expired or will expire within 6 months
  • if the card was lost, stolen, or damaged
  • if you obtained the card before age 14 and have turned 14 (provided the card does not expire before your 16th birthday)
  • if the card contains incorrect information
  • if you have legally changed your name or identity information
  • if the card sent by USCIS never reached you
• Fee (2026): $465 (paper) or $415 (online). No fee is charged if the mailed card could not be delivered and was returned to USCIS.
• When shown together with an expired card, the receipt notice for a renewal application is proof of your status and employment authorization for 36 months from the card’s expiration date.
• If you do not have your card and need proof of status, USCIS may place a temporary stamp (ADIT stamp) in your passport. Call the USCIS Contact Center for an appointment.
• If you are abroad, your card will expire within 6 months, and you will return within 1 year before the card expires, file Form I-90 when you return.
• A conditional (2-year) card is not renewed with Form I-90. To remove the condition, file Form I-751 for marriage or Form I-829 for investment.
• For details, see 3.11 Maintaining the card.

• You must show your valid green card when returning to the United States. The officer may also examine your passport or other identity documents.
• Short and temporary trips generally do not affect your status.
• Staying abroad for more than 1 year is a general measure indicating that you abandoned your status. Even shorter absences may be considered abandonment if it appears that the United States is not your permanent home.
• If you will stay more than 1 year, obtain a reentry permit (Form I-131) before departing. The paper filing fee is $630.
• If you stay more than 2 years, the permit expires. You need a returning resident visa (SB-1) to return; the immigrant visa requirements and medical examination are required again for this visa.
• Absences of 6 months or more may break the continuous residence requirement for citizenship.
• If your card is lost or stolen abroad, Form I-131A is required for a carrier document so the airline can allow you to board. The fee is $575.

• Your green card ends when you become a citizen.
• Status ends if an immigration judge issues a final removal order.
• Rescission: within the first 5 years, status may be rescinded if it is determined that you were actually ineligible when you applied.
• Abandonment: permanently moving to another country, identifying yourself as a "nonimmigrant" on a U.S. tax return, or staying abroad for an extended non-temporary period.
• Loss of status due to removal or abandonment is reported to the IRS.
• For details, see 3.12 Loss of the green card.

• USCIS Contact Center — case questions, appointment changes, card not received, ADIT stamp appointments
  • Phone: +1 800 375 5283 (TTY for people with hearing impairments: +1 800 767 1833)
  • Live assistance: Monday–Friday, 08:00–20:00 (U.S. Eastern Time). The automated voice system is available 24 hours; it provides service in English and Spanish.
  • From outside the United States: +1 212 620 3418
  • Web: uscis.gov/contactcenter (including the online assistant Emma)
• USCIS online account — address changes, case tracking, document uploads, secure messages
  • Web: my.uscis.gov
• Case status — check using your receipt number
  • Web: Case Status Online
• Questions about an expired card when starting work (Form I-9)
  • Phone: +1 888 897 7781 (TTY +1 877 875 6028)

• Failing to report your address within 10 days after moving.
• Waiting for the card to expire and not applying for renewal during the last 6 months.
• Trying to renew a conditional (2-year) card with I-90.
• Failing to obtain a reentry permit before departing when you will stay abroad for more than 1 year.
• Identifying yourself as a "nonresident" on your tax return.
• Voting in any election.
• Paying by check or money order in a paper application. As a rule, USCIS requires payment by card (Form G-1450) or from a U.S. bank account (Form G-1650).
• Men between 18 and 25 forgetting to register with Selective Service.

• Can I vote with a green card? No. You cannot vote in any federal, state, or local election.
• My card expired; did my status also end? According to USCIS, status continues until you become a citizen or lose or abandon the status. However, you must renew the card using I-90. The I-90 receipt notice, together with the old card, is proof of status for 36 months.
• Do I have to carry the card with me at all times? Yes, if you are 18 or older.
• Can I stay in Türkiye for a long time? Short and temporary trips are not a problem. If you will stay longer than 1 year, obtain a reentry permit before leaving. If your situation is complicated, consult an immigration attorney.
• The mailed card was lost in the mail. What should I do? Call the USCIS Contact Center. If the card could not be delivered and was returned to USCIS, I-90 is free.
• I have just arrived in the United States. What should I do first? See 10.0 New arrivals: first 30-day checklist.
• Will receiving public benefits affect my green card? See 16.5 Public charge.

• Guide for new immigrants: Welcome to the United States (M-618) (PDF)
• Form I-90, card renewal (PDF)
• Form AR-11, change of address (PDF)
• USCIS Fee Schedule G-1055 (PDF)
• USCIS fee calculator
• USCIS online account
• Report a change of address
• Check case status
• USCIS Contact Center
• Selective Service registration
• IRS – Taxation of resident aliens