U.S. Green Card Benefits: Rights and Advantages of Permanent Residency

Introduction: What To Know About Green Card Benefits

Getting a U.S. Green Card opens the door to life-changing opportunities for many immigrants. It represents stability, freedom, and the chance to build a secure future in the United States.

A Green Card, officially known as a Permanent Resident Card, gives you lawful permanent residency in the U.S. This means you have the legal right to live and work permanently in the United States, along with protection under U.S. laws. Beyond security, Green Card holders enjoy important benefits, including access to job opportunities, the ability to sponsor certain family members, and a clear pathway to U.S. citizenship.

Understanding these benefits is essential for anyone planning their future in America, as the Green Card offers not just legal rights but also a strong foundation for opportunity, safety, and an improved quality of life.

What Is a U.S. Green Card?

A U.S. Green Card is proof of lawful permanent residency. It allows immigrants to stay in the country on a permanent basis, unlike temporary visas that must be renewed. Green Card holders can live, work, and study freely in the United States, making it one of the most important steps in building a life here.

It’s important to note that having a Green Card is not the same as being a U.S. citizen. Green Card = permanent residency, while U.S. citizenship = full rights, such as voting in elections, applying for a U.S. passport, and petitioning for a wider range of family members. For many, a Green Card is the pathway to eventually becoming a U.S. citizen.

How Many People Get Green Cards Each Year?

Every year, hundreds of thousands of immigrants become lawful permanent residents of the United States. In fact, over one million people are granted Green Cards annually through different categories such as family sponsorship, employment, humanitarian relief, and the Diversity Visa Lottery.

Green Card Statistics by Category (FY 2024)

• Family-based Green Cards
  • Applications filed: 473,464
  • Approved: 412,475 (~87%)
  • Denied: 47,496 (~10%)
  • Average processing time: about 9 months
• Employment-based Green Cards
  • Applications filed: 129,814
  • Approved: 119,028 (~91%)
  • Denied: 13,485 (~9%)

Family sponsorship continues to be the largest category, followed by employment-based Green Cards. Other paths—such as refugee or asylee status and the Diversity Visa Lottery—also contribute to the total each year.

Why These Numbers Matter

These statistics show that Green Card benefits are not just theoretical—they affect millions of lives each year. Whether through family reunification or career opportunities, permanent residency provides stability and opens the door to long-term security in the United States.

Don’t miss your chance. If you don’t have a Green Card yet, now is the time to apply and secure your future in the U.S.

Key Benefits of Holding a Green Card

Holding a U.S. Green Card comes with significant benefits that enhance the quality of life and open doors to a wide range of opportunities for immigrants. Below are some of the rights of being a lawful permanent resident:

1. Live Permanently in the United States

A Green Card allows you to live permanently in the United States. It is valid for 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely, providing long-term stability compared to temporary visas.

2. Freedom to Work

Green Card holders can work for any employer in any industry, without needing employer sponsorship. This job flexibility offers greater career freedom than most temporary work visas.

3. Pathway to U.S. Citizenship

After maintaining permanent resident status for five years (or three years if married to a U.S. citizen), you can apply for U.S. citizenship, gaining full rights such as voting and applying for a U.S. passport. Discover the complete range of benefits available to U.S. citizens.

Note: If you have a conditional Green Card, you need to remove the conditions by filing Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence) during the 90-day period before your card expires. To learn more about this process, see our article on how to remove conditions on a Green Card. Once the conditions are removed and you become a permanent resident, you may then apply for U.S. citizenship after meeting the eligibility requirements.

4. Ability to Sponsor Family Members

Green Card holders can petition for certain family members—such as spouses and unmarried children—to receive their own Green Cards, helping to reunite families in the U.S. Learn more about Green Card through family members from our detailed guide.

5. Legal Protections Under U.S. Law

Permanent residents enjoy the same protections under federal, state, and local laws as U.S. citizens. This includes workplace protections, access to education, and equal treatment in the legal system.

6. Ease of International Travel

Permanent residents can travel abroad and re-enter the U.S. easily with a valid Green Card. For trips longer than six months, applying for a reentry permit is recommended or required if exceeding one year. Check out our travel guidelines for permanent residents.

7. Participation in the Political Process

While you cannot vote, you are eligible to volunteer for candidates and donate to political campaigns, engaging in civic life to some extent.

8. Eligibility for More Job Opportunities

You can apply for a wide variety of jobs, including some government positions requiring security clearances unavailable to visa holders.

9. Protection from Deportation

Green Card status is not temporary and cannot be revoked due to changes in immigration laws. Deportation risk exists only if you commit crimes or serious immigration violations.

10. No Need to Renounce Your Original Citizenship

Holding a permanent resident status does not require giving up citizenship in your home country, allowing dual national status if your country permits.

11. Access to Social Security, Medicare, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Green Card holders who work and pay Social Security taxes earn credits toward retirement benefits and may qualify for Medicare after five years of residency. Additionally, low-income permanent residents who are elderly, blind, or disabled may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), offering cash assistance for basic needs.

12. SNAP EBT (Food Stamps)

Green Card holders may be eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits if they have been legal residents for at least five years and meet income requirements. This program supports low-income families with food assistance.

Responsibilities of Green Card Holders

Along with the many benefits, Green Card holders have important responsibilities to maintain their lawful permanent resident (LPR) status in the U.S. These responsibilities include:

1. Obeying All Laws

Green Card holders must follow all federal, state, and local laws. Failure to do so may jeopardize their status.

2. Filing Taxes

As a Green Card holder, you are required to report income and file U.S. federal, state, and local tax returns, just like U.S. citizens.

3. Carrying Your Green Card

You must carry proof of your permanent resident status at all times and be able to present it to immigration or law enforcement officials if asked.

4. Updating USCIS About Address Changes

You must notify USCIS within 10 days of moving by filing Form AR-11 (Alien’s Change of Address).

5. Maintaining Continuous Residency

Avoid long trips outside the U.S. that may jeopardize your residency status. Absences longer than six months—especially one year or more—could risk losing permanent resident status unless a reentry permit is obtained.

6. Supporting Democratic Values

Green Card holders are expected to respect the U.S. system of government and avoid any actions that contravene the Constitution.

7. Selective Service Registration (for Men 18–25)

Male Green Card holders aged 18 through 25 must register with the Selective Service System.

These responsibilities are essential to preserve the privileges of permanent residency and to avoid risking removal from the United States. Compliance ensures Green Card holders can continue enjoying the benefits of their status and eventually pursue U.S. citizenship if eligible.

Limitations and Restrictions of Green Cards

While Green Card holders enjoy many benefits, they are not U.S. citizens and therefore do not have all the rights and privileges that citizenship confers. Here are some important limitations to understand:

1. No Right to Vote: Green Card holders cannot vote in federal, state, or most local elections. Voting rights are reserved exclusively for U.S. citizens.
2. Cannot Run for Political Office: Permanent residents are not eligible to run for elected political positions.
3. Not Issued a U.S. Passport: Green Card holders are not eligible for a U.S. passport, which is available only to citizens.
4. Renewal Required Every Ten Years: Green Cards must be renewed every 10 years to maintain legal validity. Check our Green Card renewal guide if your Green Card has expired or will expire within the next six months.
5. No Automatic Citizenship for Children Born Abroad: Citizenship or permanent residency does not automatically extend to children born outside the U.S.; separate immigration processes apply.
6. Risk of Losing Green Card: Long absences from the U.S., failure to meet residency requirements, or certain criminal activities may lead to loss of permanent resident status.

To understand these limitations better and see how they compare to full citizenship rights and responsibilities, see our detailed guide on Green Card vs Citizenship.

Conclusion: Why a Green Card Matters

A U.S. Green Card is more than proof of permanent residency—it is a gateway to stability, opportunity, and security in the United States. It grants the right to live and work freely, access important legal protections and benefits, and sponsor family members for permanent residence. While it requires fulfilling responsibilities like following laws and maintaining residency, the advantages far outweigh the obligations.

For those seeking to make the U.S. their permanent home, obtaining a Green Card is a crucial milestone on the path to eventual citizenship and full integration into American society.

To ensure a smooth, error-free application process and increase your chances of success, trusted immigration solutions like Immigration Direct offer advanced immigration software paired with expert lawyer consultations, helping applicants submit applications confidently and accurately.