1. Immigration and Green Cards
Immigrant:
Refers to the permanent settlement of citizens of one country in another country.
Green card:
The permanent residence permit issued to foreign citizens, holding a green card, can be exempted from entry visas for a certain period of time, to achieve freedom to come and go.
Immigrant Visas:
This is what we call a green card, and having a green card can permanently reside in the United States, but it does not mean that you are a U.S. citizen, because you do not have a U.S. passport, so you are still Chinese.
Nonimmigrant Visas:
Indicates that your status in the United States is not immigrant status, for example, if you are an international student, then you are holding an international student visa; If you are here to travel, then you have a tourist visa, if you are here for business, then you have a business visa.
In general, as long as it is not an immigrant visa, it is a non-immigrant visa.
The only difference between the rights and obligations of a green card holder and that of a U.S. citizen is that they do not have the right to vote.
The same is true of Canada, where the difference between a PR card and a Canadian passport is only the right to vote.
In fact, it is good not to have a U.S. passport, for example, Chinese get a U.S. green card, you can continue to hold a Chinese passport, it is still Chinese, and you do not need to re-apply for a visa to return to China.
Of course, if you specifically want to change your nationality to become a U.S. citizen to exercise the right to vote, you can become a U.S. citizen after 5 years of holding a green card and submit an application to take the naturalization test.
After changing the nationality, it is necessary to apply for a visa to return to China, and it is much more convenient for the green card holder to return to China, and the round trip will not be stuck by the visa.
Of course, whether to be naturalized or not?
I believe that everyone often thinks about this question, is naturalization good or not naturalized?
So next, let's analyze the differences and advantages of the two.
2. Citizenship and Green Cards
1. The right to vote and to be elected
Green card holders have only permanent residency, are not citizens, and do not have the right to vote.
Cannot participate in the election of presidents, governors, legislators, etc.
Similarly, green card holders do not have the right to vote and cannot participate in elections for president, governor, congressman, etc.
2. Visa-free areas
Countries and regions where the "U.S. Green Card" can be visa-free
Canada
Costa Rica
Georgia
Peru
Singapore
Balkans (Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro)
British Virgin Islands
Belize
Dominican Republic
Jamaica
Aruba and Curaçao
You can also enter Bonaire, Saba, Sint Eustatius and Sint Maarten visa-free, and foreigners with temporary or permanent residence permits can enter Europe without a visa, however, this does not include some of the European islands in the Netherlands.
Countries and regions where the "Citizen Passport" can be visa-free:
Europe (Visa Waiver)
Albania
Andorra
Austria
Belgium
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark and Greenland
Finland
France and Monaco
Germany
Gibraltar
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malta
Moldova
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romanian
Serbia and Montenegro
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
United Kingdom
Armenia
Turkey
Africa (Visa Waiver)
Botswana
Côte d’Ivoire
Kosovo
Lesotho
Malawi
Mauritius
Morocco
Namibia
Reunion
Senegal
Seychelles
South Africa
Eswatini
Tunisia
(Visa on arrival)
Comoros Islands
Djibouti
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Rwanda
Tanzania
Togo
Tonga
Uganda
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Asia (Visa Waiver)
Brunei Darussalam
Georgia
Hong Kong
Israel
Japan
Kyrgyzstan
Macau
Malaysia
Mongolia
Philippines
Singapore
Korea
Taiwan
Thailand
(Visa on arrival)
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bali
Cambodia
Indonesia
Jordan
Kuwait
Laos
Lebanon
Nepal
Oman
Qatar
Sri Lanka
Timor-Leste
United Arab Emirates
Vietnam
Yemen
Americas (Visa Waiver)
Canada
Mexico
Belize
Costa Rica
El Salvador
Guatemala
Honduras
Nicaragua
Panama
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
French Guiana
Guyana
Peru
Trinidad and Tobago
Uruguay
Venezuela
Caribbean (Visa Waiver)
Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Aruba
Bahamas
Barbados
Bermuda
British Virgin Islands
Cuba
Dominica
Dominican Republic
French Antilles/Caribbean/West Indies
Grenada
Haiti
Jamaica
Montserrat
Saint Kitts Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Turks and Caicos Islands
United States Virgin Islands
U.S. citizens can travel visa-free to 26 EU countries for up to 90 days.
3. Residency
Green card:
If you are staying outside of U.S. territory for more than 1 year, USCIS considers that you are automatically abandoning your green card.
Unless you can prove that there are other special circumstances that result in continuous residence being interrupted.
Proof conditions:
The applicant did not terminate his employment in the United States
The applicant's immediate family remains in the United States
The applicant retains a U.S. residence
The applicant is not employed abroad
In addition, green card holders who want to apply to become U.S. citizens at a later date will need to meet the conditions for continuous residency. Must have obtained a green card for at least 5 years (3 years for a marriage green card) and have actually resided in the United States at least half of the time at the time of application.
4. Apply for a green card for a relative
Green card:
The scope of green card holders applying for immigration as relatives is relatively small and has a long waiting period.
Citizen:
U.S. citizens apply for a large green card for their spouse and do not need to wait.
5. Benefits
Green card:
Retirement Benefits:
U.S. green card holders who accumulate 10 years of tax records can receive a federally issued pension after retirement, which is between $1000 and $1200.
Save on tuition fees:
Primary and secondary schools in the United States do not need to pay tuition fees before the age of 18, and the compulsory education policy is implemented.
During college, green card holders charge local students a fee that is usually one-third of the tuition fee for international students.
Student loans are not available for international students, but green card holders can apply for student loans, as are U.S. citizens.
Freedom of employment:
Green card holders can hold all kinds of positions like U.S. citizens, but must be U.S. citizens if they are important positions in the country or involve sensitive core positions such as the military.
Government Support:
Green card holders, like native Americans, are eligible for U.S. government-supported job training programs, as well as supplemental nutrition assistance programs, Medicaid programs, maternal and child nutrition assistance programs, social security grants, and so on.
In general, there is not much difference between green cards and U.S. citizens, and everyone chooses according to their actual situation.
In addition, green card holders need to check their green card validity period regularly.