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What is the Difference Between a Green Card and a Visa?

A green card is a lawful permanent resident in the United States. It grants you all of the rights and privileges that come with being an American citizen, minus those that are only granted to voting citizens (such as running for office). A visa is a document given by a consulate or embassy when someone needs to temporarily visit another country. The two types of visas most people hear about are tourist visas and student visas, but there are many other types of visas out there for various purposes.

Understanding the difference between a green card and a visa

A green card is evidence that you are a lawful permanent resident in the United States. It grants you many of the rights and privileges that come with being an American citizen, minus those that are only granted to citizens (such as voting or running for office). A visa is a document given by a consulate or embassy when someone needs to temporarily visit another country. There are really two types of visas. A nonimmigrant visa and immigrant visas.


Common examples of nonimmigrant visas are tourist, student, and certain temporary work visas. For immigrant visas, there are different types because it depends on your reason for wanting to immigrate (such as family-based or employment-based).

People who are inspected and admitted into the united states with an immigrant visa usually receive a green card in the mail shortly afterward. 

People who are inspected and admitted into the United States with a nonimmigrant visa are allowed in here only temporarily.

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