Green Card: 3 things not to do after becoming a lawful permanent resident in the US
Green card holders are not US citizens and are not eligible to vote in any elections.
When a person receives a new set of laws it comes into force green card In America after years of waiting and lots of paperwork. Many green card holders get into trouble because they claim to be US citizens and think they can vote but a green card only makes a person a legal permanent resident in the country, not a US citizen. Immigration lawyer Moumita Rahman explains what happens after getting a green card in the US.
What can a green card holder do?
- The green card holder becomes eligible for US citizenship. If you received your green card through marriage to a US citizen and you continue to live with your spouse, you can apply for naturalization after three years, and for other categories it is five years.
- A green card holder can petition for other family members, unmarried adult children, etc. Unlike US citizens, a green card holder’s relatives are not considered their family members and although a green card holder can petition for a relative, their approval will depend on the availability of a visa.
- As a green card holder, you are no longer tied to your employer. You can change jobs, change fields. But one should be careful about leaving their employer who sponsored the employment-based green card soon after approval.
- Green card holders are allowed to start a company, hire employees, and purchase commercial property.
What a green card holder can’t do
- Green card holders are not allowed to vote in any election. It does not matter how many years the green card holder has lived in the US. pay taxes etc
- Green card holders cannot do jury duty. If someone receives a notice for jury duty, they must inform the authorities that they are not a US citizen but a green card holder.
- You cannot claim to be a US citizen in any way. Never check the box on any form as it will invite trouble.
What should a green card holder do?
- File taxes every year like a US citizen. It must be filed as a US tax resident and not as a non-resident alien. Green card holders must report their worldwide income.
- You must keep your address updated with USCIS within 10 days whenever you move, even if it’s across the street.
- If your green card has any conditions, you must remove the conditions.
- Renew your green card before it expires.
- Men between the ages of 18 and 25 must register for Selective Service within 30 days of turning 18 or within 30 days of receiving a green card – whichever comes first.
- Will have to be physically present in America for six months.