USA Green Card: Requirements & Info

The Permanent Resident Card for the United States, also known as a Green Card, is in high demand among people looking to immigrate. With a Green Card, the holder receives permanent residency, work authorization, and the right to start a business anywhere in America. After 3 to 5 years, it is even possible to obtain U.S. citizenship.

The history of the Green Card

For more than two hundred years, the United States has been the world’s most sought-after country for immigration. Even at the beginning of the 20th century, immigration to the United States was possible with almost no requirements and largely unregulated. The first restrictions came after the American Civil War with the “Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.” This led in 1933 to the creation of the “U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service” (INS).

Worldwide, the Green Card—officially called the “Legal Permanent Resident Card”—is the most sought-after immigration visa in the world. Since 1940, it has been mandatory for all residents who do not have U.S. citizenship to register under the “Alien Registration Act.” The entry document for permanent residence was printed on green paper and is therefore the first “Green Card.”

The difference between a Green Card and a regular visa is that you are allowed to stay in the United States for an unlimited period of time and without being tied to a specific purpose. Because the Green Card was and still is the most sought-after document in the world, counterfeiters went to work—often successfully. As a result, the card’s design was repeatedly redesigned, and only since 1977 has a machine-readable card been issued.

The U.S. government assumes that since 2007 the Green Card has been developed to be largely counterfeit-proof. The new design has the following features:

Photo of the Green Card holder (both sides)
Predominantly green color palette (both sides)
Stylized depiction of the Statue of Liberty (both sides)
Stylized depiction of the American flag (both sides)
No longer any cardholder signature on the back
Optical stripe only on the front

Requirements you must meet to obtain a Green Card

The hurdles to getting a Green Card are very high. There are several ways:

You have a job in the United States and the employer confirms this in writing.
It involves family reunification—if a close family member already lives in the United States and is a Green Card holder or a U.S. citizen.
By winning the Green Card lottery.

Requirements for filing a Green Card application

Depending on the category, the requirements differ. In general, an application must be filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Since 2004, filing has been possible exclusively online. After the application is reviewed and approved, a consular process usually follows through the U.S. consulate in your home country.

Green Card costs

Entering the Green Card lottery is not associated with any costs. As the application process continues, you will then incur costs:

Medical exam: between €200 and €400
Consular fee: approx. €280 per person
Green Card issuance fee (Immigrant Fee): approx. $220 (approx. €187) per person

Green Card visa categories

Anyone applying for a Green Card is assigned to certain categories by the immigration authority.

Green Card visa EB-1 – For individuals of national interest to the United States

Individuals who are of national interest to the United States (for example, famous researchers, renowned scientists, managers and executives of large industrial companies, or top athletes).

Green Card visa EB-2 – For individuals with exceptional ability

Individuals who can demonstrate exceptional ability (people with an excellent university degree and individuals with outstanding abilities in research, science, business, or artistic talent). A job offer from a U.S. employer is required.

Green Card visa EB-3 – For skilled workers

College graduates or highly qualified skilled workers with at least two years of professional experience—always with the understanding that no equally qualified employee can fill the position.

Green Card visa EB-4 – For religious workers

Religious workers who have already been active in their church or congregation in their home country for at least two years.

Green Card visa EB-5 – For investors

Investors who invest a substantial sum in expanding a business enterprise and at the same time guarantee at least ten new jobs. However, the Green Card is generally issued for only two years at first.

Green Card through family

If you have parents or close relatives who already live in the United States, a family-based Green Card may be an option. However, this process requires a lot of perseverance because it can involve a long waiting period. Parents of a U.S. citizen and the minor children of a U.S. citizen under 21 receive the family-based Green Card immediately with the immigration approval.

Where can you apply for a Green Card?

Since 2004, applications can only be submitted online. You must submit it to the U.S. immigration authority, “United States Citizenship and Immigration Services” (USCIS). In the annual Green Card lottery, 55,000 Green Cards are awarded each year.

The following information is requested when applying:

Last name, first name
Date of birth, place of birth, and country
Address
Passport information (number, issuing country, and expiration date)
Marital status + information about children
Photo
Education level

For your consulate interview appointment:

Current police clearance certificate
Birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, and proof of custody
Financial documentation (€5,000 to €10,000 recommended as start-up capital)
Medical documentation of vaccinations
Valid passport
Military records

How to proceed with the application

You submit your application to USCIS and at the same time provide a sponsor who is either a U.S. citizen, your employer, or a Green Card holder. If your application is approved, the actual process begins. The immigration authority forwards the application to the National Visa Center. Processing takes about 11 weeks before you are invited to the final interview at the U.S. embassy.

You must bring the following documents to the embassy interview:

The written interview invitation from the NVC
Passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond the planned date of entry)
Two color biometric passport photos for each applicant
Results of the medical exam in an unopened envelope

And this is what happens next on the way to your Green Card

After completion, you will receive a sealed package with numerous documents. You must present this unopened to U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon arrival in the United States. The visa is generally issued for six months, and entry must take place within that time. You must spend at least 183 days per year in the United States.

You can lose your status if:

You stay outside the United States for more than 364 days without filing a reentry permit
You commit a crime and violate immigration law
You accept U.S. citizenship (possible after 5 years)
You officially give up your Green Card

These rights you have as a Green Card holder

Your rights as a Green Card holder are almost fully equivalent to the rights of a U.S. citizen. You may choose your place of residence freely, move and travel freely within the United States, and choose your job at any time. It is possible to purchase real estate or claim public benefits. You can attend public schools or colleges, and pursuing a university degree is also possible. However, since you keep the citizenship of your home country, you are not allowed to vote in elections.

Duties and tax obligations as a Green Card holder

All income, salary, rental income, and investment income must be taxed. If the United States is listed as the primary residence, U.S. estate tax also applies to any estate assets.

The advantages of a Green Card

The advantage of a Green Card compared to a work permit is especially apparent in times of crisis. Green Card holders are better off because their residency is not tied to a specific employer. If they lose their job, permanent residents can apply for a new job. Green Card holders are definitely allowed to reenter.