What does a green card give you?
1. It gives you the right to live in the United States for the rest of your life. Assuming that you don't violate the terms of your residency.
2. It gives you the right to work in the United States for the rest of your life. There is no longer any need to get employment authorization cards (work permits).
3. It gives you the right to apply for citizenship in 3 to 5 years.
4. It gives you the right to travel in and out of the United States. But don't leave for more than six months at a time without checking with your lawyer.
5. It gives you the right to file for a green card for your husband or wife and any unmarried children under the age of 21.
6. It allows you to apply for certain federal means-tested benefits. This includes programs like Medicare Medicaid, SSI, SNAP, TANF, CHIP, and Section 8 housing. However, these benefits are subject to restrictions that US citizens do not have to meet. The most common of these is the five year "look back" period. Most permanent residents have to keep their residency status for five years before being eligible to apply for benefits.
2. It gives you the right to work in the United States for the rest of your life. There is no longer any need to get employment authorization cards (work permits).
3. It gives you the right to apply for citizenship in 3 to 5 years.
4. It gives you the right to travel in and out of the United States. But don't leave for more than six months at a time without checking with your lawyer.
5. It gives you the right to file for a green card for your husband or wife and any unmarried children under the age of 21.
6. It allows you to apply for certain federal means-tested benefits. This includes programs like Medicare Medicaid, SSI, SNAP, TANF, CHIP, and Section 8 housing. However, these benefits are subject to restrictions that US citizens do not have to meet. The most common of these is the five year "look back" period. Most permanent residents have to keep their residency status for five years before being eligible to apply for benefits.