A US permanent resident card, commonly known as a green card, is evidence that a foreign national has lawful permanent resident status in the United States. Lawful permanent residents can live and work in the US indefinitely, subject to immigration law and the continuing requirements of permanent residence.

Permanent residence can be obtained through a number of routes, including qualifying family relationships, employment-based categories, humanitarian routes, the Diversity Visa Program and certain special immigrant classifications.

Green card holders have many rights available to US citizens, including broad authorization to work in the United States, the ability to own property and access to certain public benefits where the relevant eligibility requirements are met. Some jobs remain restricted to US citizens and permanent residents cannot vote in federal elections.

Permanent resident status also carries ongoing responsibilities. Extended residence outside the United States, certain criminal conduct, immigration fraud and other issues can place status at risk. Travel needs particular care because permanent residence is based on the United States remaining the individual’s permanent home.

Most standard Permanent Resident Cards are issued with a 10-year validity period and should be renewed when required. Expiration of the physical card does not, by itself, terminate lawful permanent resident status. Conditional permanent residents are subject to separate rules and generally receive a card valid for two years.

The following guide explains eligibility, the application process, travel rules, renewal, conditional residence and the route from a US permanent resident card to US citizenship.

What is a US permanent resident card?

A lawful permanent resident is a foreign national who has been granted the right to live permanently in the United States. Permanent residents are issued what is commonly called a Green Card, formally known as a Permanent Resident Card.

The card provides evidence of lawful permanent resident status. Status and the physical card are not the same thing. A standard green card can expire while the holder remains a lawful permanent resident, although an expired card can cause practical problems when proving status, completing employment verification or traveling internationally.

Permanent residents are generally authorized to work in the United States without needing a separate Employment Authorization Document. They can usually work for any private employer, although some federal, government, security-sensitive and other positions require US citizenship.

A permanent resident can also petition for certain qualifying family members. An LPR can generally petition for a spouse and unmarried children through the family preference system. A permanent resident cannot petition for parents, siblings or married children unless and until they become a US citizen and the relevant US citizen category permits the petition.

Who is eligible for a US permanent resident card?

US immigration law provides several routes to lawful permanent residence. Each category has its own eligibility requirements and not every applicant requires the same petition, sponsor or application process.

Family-based permanent residence is available through specified relationships with US citizens and lawful permanent residents. Immediate relatives of US citizens include spouses, unmarried children under 21 and parents of US citizens who are at least 21 years old.

Other family relationships fall within the numerically limited family preference categories. These include spouses and unmarried children of lawful permanent residents, adult children of US citizens and siblings of qualifying adult US citizens. Waiting periods can be substantial because annual numerical limits apply to preference categories.

Employment-based permanent residence is divided into preference categories based on factors such as qualifications, occupation, achievements, job requirements and investment. Many employment-based applicants require employer sponsorship, but employer sponsorship is not universal. Certain EB-1 extraordinary ability applicants can self-petition, qualifying EB-2 applicants seeking a National Interest Waiver can self-petition and EB-5 investors follow a separate investment-based process.

Other routes can include permanent residence for refugees and asylees, Diversity Visa applicants, qualifying special immigrants and applicants under specific statutory programs.

Meeting the requirements of an immigrant category is only part of the assessment. Applicants must also satisfy the rules governing admissibility or qualify for an applicable exemption or waiver.

Grounds of inadmissibility can include certain health-related grounds, criminal grounds, security grounds, public charge where applicable, fraud or misrepresentation, unlawful presence and other immigration violations. The effect of a previous immigration or criminal issue depends on the particular statutory provision and facts. A previous immigration breach does not automatically make every applicant permanently ineligible for a green card.

How do I apply for a US permanent resident card?

The application process depends in large part on whether the applicant is applying from within the United States through adjustment of status or applying for an immigrant visa through a US embassy or consulate overseas.

Many green card categories begin with an underlying petition. Common examples include Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, for family-based cases and Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, for many employment-based cases.

Some applicants can self-petition or qualify under a process that does not require the same form of family or employer petition. The correct procedure therefore depends on the immigrant category.

Adjustment of Status

An eligible applicant who is in the United States may be able to apply for lawful permanent residence through adjustment of status by filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, with US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Eligibility to adjust status is not based solely on being physically present in the United States. The applicant must satisfy the statutory requirements for adjustment and the rules that apply to the relevant immigrant category.

In many preference cases, an immigrant visa must be immediately available before Form I-485 can be filed. Visa availability is determined by the applicant’s category, priority date and the Department of State Visa Bulletin.

The underlying immigrant petition does not always have to be approved before Form I-485 is filed. Certain categories permit concurrent filing of the petition and adjustment application where an immigrant visa is immediately available and the other filing requirements are met.

In other cases, the applicant must wait until the underlying petition has been approved and a visa number is available before filing Form I-485.

USCIS may require biometrics and may schedule the applicant for an adjustment interview. Whether an interview is required depends on the category and facts of the case and USCIS may waive an interview where permitted.

Consular Processing

An applicant applying from outside the United States will generally use consular processing rather than Form I-485.

In petition-based cases, USCIS generally sends the approved petition to the Department of State’s National Visa Center, known as NVC. NVC creates the immigrant visa case and, when the case is ready to proceed, requests the required fees, forms and supporting evidence.

Applicants generally complete Form DS-260, Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application, through the Consular Electronic Application Center.

Supporting documentation can include civil records, financial evidence and an Affidavit of Support where required. Applicants must also complete the required medical examination and attend an immigrant visa interview at the appropriate US embassy or consulate.

Following current Department of State policy, immigrant visa applicants are generally scheduled to interview in the consular district for their place of residence or, where requested and permitted, in their country of nationality. Limited exceptions may apply.

If the immigrant visa is approved, the applicant uses the visa to seek admission to the United States. Admission on the immigrant visa generally activates lawful permanent resident status.

How long does a green card application take?

There is no single processing time for obtaining permanent residence.

Timing can depend on the immigrant category, visa availability, country of chargeability, priority date, USCIS processing, NVC processing, consular capacity and whether additional evidence or administrative processing is required.

Immediate relatives of US citizens are not subject to the annual numerical limits that apply to family and employment preference categories. Preference applicants may have to wait until their priority date becomes eligible under the Visa Bulletin before the case can progress to final approval.

Applicants should therefore check current USCIS processing information, the Visa Bulletin and, for consular cases, current NVC and embassy information rather than relying on a general estimated timeframe.

Public charge and green card applications

The public charge ground of inadmissibility under section 212(a)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act applies to certain applicants for admission and adjustment of status. It does not apply to every green card category and statutory exemptions apply to specified groups.

The rules are currently in transition. Applications governed by the 2022 public charge regulations remain subject to that framework through September 17, 2026.

From September 18, 2026, a new DHS final rule rescinds the 2022 regulatory framework and restores broader discretion to immigration officers when assessing whether an applicant is likely at any time to become a public charge.

For adjustment applications filed on or after September 18, 2026, and applications for admission made on or after that date, officers can assess the relevant facts under the statutory totality-of-the-circumstances framework and applicable DHS policy.

Factors can include the applicant’s age, health, family status, assets, resources, financial status, education and skills, together with an Affidavit of Support where one is required. No single factor should be considered in isolation from the statutory framework and applicable agency guidance.

Applicants should also distinguish public charge inadmissibility from the separate financial sponsorship requirements that apply to many family-based immigrant cases.

US permanent resident card rights and responsibilities

Lawful permanent residence gives an individual the right to live indefinitely in the United States, provided the status is maintained.

Permanent residents are generally authorized to work without a separate work permit. They can own property, operate businesses, attend public schools and colleges subject to applicable rules and qualify for certain government benefits where they meet the program requirements.

Permanent residents may qualify for Social Security, Medicare and other programs where the applicable contribution, residence, immigration status and other requirements are met.

Permanent residents can also serve in the US armed forces where they meet military eligibility requirements and may later qualify for naturalization under rules that can differ from the standard civilian naturalization provisions.

Responsibilities include obeying federal, state and local law, filing required tax returns and maintaining permanent residence in the United States.

Permanent residents who are required to file US tax returns should generally file consistently with their status as US residents for federal tax purposes. Filing as a nonresident alien or failing to file required returns can be relevant to whether the individual intended to maintain the United States as their permanent home.

Most male permanent residents between the ages of 18 and 25 must register with the Selective Service, subject to the applicable statutory rules and exceptions.

Permanent residents aged 18 or older are also generally required under federal immigration law to carry evidence of alien registration.

Travel outside the United States with a green card

Permanent residents can travel outside the United States, but international travel needs to remain consistent with maintaining the United States as their permanent home.

A short trip abroad will not normally affect permanent resident status. Length of absence is important, but there is no rule that automatically preserves status simply because a permanent resident returns to the United States once every six months or once every year.

Abandonment depends on the facts. Immigration authorities can consider whether the absence was intended to be temporary, the purpose of the trip, the length of time abroad, US family and employment ties, ownership or leasing of a US home, tax filings and other evidence showing where the person’s permanent home is located.

A permanent resident can therefore face an abandonment issue after an absence of less than one year if the surrounding evidence indicates that the person moved their permanent home outside the United States.

An absence of one year or more creates more serious travel-document and readmission issues, but the passage of one year does not itself operate as an automatic statutory cancellation of permanent resident status.

Green card travel and the six-month rule

Six months is frequently misunderstood in the green card context.

An absence of more than six months can be relevant to admission and naturalization. A permanent resident who has been outside the United States for at least 181 days can be treated as an applicant for admission for specified immigration purposes.

For naturalization, an absence of more than six months but less than one year can create a presumption that the applicant’s continuous residence has been interrupted. That issue is separate from whether the person has abandoned permanent resident status.

Applicants should therefore avoid treating six months as a safe harbor for maintaining a green card.

Travel for more than one year

A Permanent Resident Card is generally used as a travel document for return to the United States following a temporary absence of less than one year.

A permanent resident who expects to remain outside the United States for one year or more should consider obtaining a reentry permit before departure.

A reentry permit is requested using Form I-131 and the applicant must be physically present in the United States when the application is filed. The document is generally issued for a period of up to two years, although shorter validity periods can apply in some circumstances.

A reentry permit can provide evidence that the permanent resident intended the absence to be temporary and can be used instead of a Permanent Resident Card as the relevant US travel document during its validity.

A reentry permit does not guarantee admission to the United States and does not conclusively prevent a finding of abandonment. CBP can still consider the facts when the permanent resident seeks admission.

A permanent resident who is already abroad cannot solve a prolonged absence by applying for a reentry permit from overseas because the application must be filed while the applicant is physically present in the United States.

Returning Resident visas

A permanent resident who remained outside the United States beyond the period permitted by their travel documentation may, depending on the circumstances, need to consider a Returning Resident, or SB-1, immigrant visa.

SB-1 eligibility is not automatic. The applicant generally needs to show that they departed the United States with the intention of returning and that the extended stay abroad resulted from circumstances beyond their control and for which they were not responsible.

A person facing a prolonged absence should therefore take advice before assuming that permanent resident status can simply be resumed after returning to the United States.

Does international travel affect US citizenship eligibility?

Travel can affect naturalization even where permanent resident status has not been abandoned.

The standard five-year naturalization route generally requires five years of continuous residence and at least 30 months of physical presence in the United States during that period.

Applicants relying on the three-year rule for qualifying spouses of US citizens generally need three years of continuous residence and at least 18 months of physical presence during that period.

An absence of more than six months but less than one year can create a rebuttable presumption that continuous residence has been disrupted. An absence of one year or more generally breaks continuous residence for naturalization unless a specific statutory exception applies.

Certain permanent residents working abroad in qualifying employment may be able to preserve continuous residence for naturalization through Form N-470. The requirements are narrow and approval does not generally remove the separate physical presence requirement.

Renewing a US permanent resident card

Most standard Permanent Resident Cards are valid for 10 years. A lawful permanent resident with a 10-year card generally uses Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, to renew an expiring or expired card.

USCIS generally permits renewal where the card will expire within the next six months or has already expired.

Expiration of a 10-year card does not itself terminate permanent resident status. The holder remains a lawful permanent resident unless that status has been abandoned, rescinded, terminated under an applicable conditional residence provision or ended through another lawful process.

An expired card can nevertheless create practical difficulties when traveling, proving immigration status or completing certain administrative processes.

USCIS may issue a Form I-90 receipt notice that, when presented with the expired card, extends evidence of permanent resident status for the period stated on the notice. Temporary evidence of status may also be available from USCIS in appropriate cases.

Applicants should not use Form I-90 to renew a two-year conditional green card simply because the card is expiring. Conditional residents follow the separate procedures for removing conditions.

What happens if a green card is lost, stolen or damaged?

A permanent resident in the United States whose card has been lost, stolen, destroyed or materially damaged will generally file Form I-90 to obtain a replacement.

Where evidence of status is needed before the replacement card arrives, USCIS may be able to provide temporary evidence of lawful permanent residence.

A permanent resident whose green card is lost, stolen or destroyed while outside the United States may need carrier documentation before an airline or other transportation provider will allow travel to the United States.

Form I-131A can be used in qualifying cases to request carrier documentation where a Permanent Resident Card has been lost, stolen or destroyed during a temporary trip abroad. Different requirements apply depending on the length of absence and whether the traveler holds other valid documentation such as a reentry permit.

A boarding foil or other carrier documentation does not itself determine admissibility. The permanent resident remains subject to inspection by CBP on arrival.

Conditional permanent residence

Some immigrants receive lawful permanent residence on a conditional basis for two years.

Marriage-based conditional residence generally applies where permanent residence is obtained through a qualifying marriage that was less than two years old when permanent resident status was granted.

A conditional permanent resident is already a lawful permanent resident. The two-year period does not mean the person is waiting to become a permanent resident. Instead, conditions are attached to the status and must be removed under the applicable statutory procedure.

Marriage-based conditional permanent residents generally file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence. Joint petitions are normally filed during the 90-day period immediately before the second anniversary of the grant of conditional residence.

Waivers of the joint filing requirement are available in specified circumstances, including certain cases involving termination of a good-faith marriage, battery or extreme cruelty and extreme hardship.

A late joint Form I-751 can also be accepted where the applicant establishes good cause and extenuating circumstances for the late filing.

EB-5 immigrant investors can also hold conditional permanent resident status. Qualifying EB-5 conditional residents generally use Form I-829, Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status, rather than Form I-751.

Failure to comply with the applicable removal-of-conditions requirements can result in termination of conditional permanent resident status and removal proceedings. The exact consequences and available remedies depend on the type of conditional residence and the facts.

Can permanent resident status be lost?

Lawful permanent residence is intended to be permanent, but status can be lost or terminated in defined circumstances.

One risk is abandonment. A permanent resident who establishes a permanent home outside the United States can be found to have abandoned LPR status even where the physical green card remains unexpired.

Certain criminal convictions or conduct can make a permanent resident removable from the United States. The immigration effect of an offense depends on the statute of conviction, sentence, immigration history and the particular removal ground involved. A criminal conviction does not automatically cancel every green card.

Fraud or willful misrepresentation in obtaining permanent residence can also result in serious immigration consequences. Depending on the circumstances, the government may pursue rescission or removal proceedings or rely on other statutory remedies.

Conditional permanent residents are also subject to statutory termination provisions if the conditions on residence are not properly removed.

Permanent residents with criminal, fraud, extended travel or abandonment issues should take legal advice before international travel, filing for naturalization or making any formal statement about their status.

How does a US permanent resident card differ from US citizenship?

Lawful permanent residence and US citizenship are different legal statuses.

Permanent residence allows a person to live and work indefinitely in the United States but remains subject to immigration law. A permanent resident can potentially lose status through abandonment, removal or other statutory processes.

A naturalized US citizen generally has greater security of status and additional constitutional and statutory rights.

US citizens can obtain US passports, vote in federal elections and in state and local elections where eligible, serve on juries subject to local qualification rules and qualify for positions that require US citizenship.

Citizens also have broader family immigration rights. A US citizen aged 21 or older can, for example, petition for parents and siblings, while lawful permanent residents cannot. Spouses, unmarried children under 21 and parents of qualifying US citizens are classified as immediate relatives and are not subject to the annual preference-category numerical limits.

Citizenship can also affect the citizenship position of children born or residing outside the United States, but citizenship for a child is governed by separate statutory rules. Naturalization of a parent does not automatically confer citizenship on every child in every circumstance. Eligibility depends on factors such as the child’s age, residence, custody and the citizenship and physical presence history of the parent or parents.

Naturalized citizens may also qualify to run for many elected offices, subject to the constitutional and statutory requirements that apply to the particular office.

When can I apply for US citizenship?

Most lawful permanent residents become eligible to apply for naturalization under the standard five-year rule.

An applicant generally must be at least 18 years old, have held lawful permanent resident status for the required period, satisfy continuous residence and physical presence requirements and have lived for the required period within the relevant state or USCIS district.

The standard five-year route generally requires at least 30 months of physical presence in the United States during the five years immediately preceding the application.

An applicant must also establish good moral character during the applicable statutory period, demonstrate attachment to the principles of the US Constitution and satisfy the English and civics requirements unless an exception or accommodation applies.

USCIS permits qualifying applicants to file Form N-400 up to 90 calendar days before completing the required continuous residence period. Early filing does not remove the requirement to satisfy all other eligibility requirements.

Three-year naturalization rule for spouses of US citizens

The three-year naturalization provision is narrower than simply being married to a US citizen.

An applicant relying on the three-year rule generally must have been a lawful permanent resident for at least three years, have been married to and living in marital union with the same US citizen spouse for the required three-year period and have a spouse who has been a US citizen throughout that period.

The applicant must generally remain legally married to the US citizen spouse through naturalization and must satisfy the other applicable requirements, including continuous residence, physical presence, good moral character and English and civics testing unless an exception applies.

The three-year route generally requires at least 18 months of physical presence in the United States during the relevant three-year period.

English and civics requirements

Most naturalization applicants must demonstrate an ability to read, write and speak basic English and must pass a civics test covering US history and government.

Statutory exceptions and modifications apply to certain applicants based on age and length of permanent residence. Applicants with qualifying physical or developmental disabilities or mental impairments may also qualify for an exception from specified testing requirements.

Applicants should therefore check which testing rules apply to their circumstances rather than assume that every naturalization applicant takes the same examination.

After USCIS approves the naturalization application, the applicant must complete the Oath of Allegiance before becoming a US citizen, unless an applicable legal exception modifies the oath requirement.

Need assistance?

NNU Immigration’s specialist US immigration attorneys can advise on all types of Green Card application, including family and employment routes, adjustment of status, consular processing, travel and abandonment issues, removal of conditions and naturalization.

Permanent residence cases can raise different issues depending on the applicant’s immigration history, travel, family circumstances and route to a green card. Early advice can also be important where there has been a prolonged absence from the United States, previous immigration noncompliance, criminal history or a potential ground of inadmissibility.

If you have a specific question or require support with an application, contact us.

US permanent resident card FAQs

What is a US Permanent Resident Card?

A US Permanent Resident Card, commonly called a green card, is evidence that an individual holds lawful permanent resident status. Lawful permanent residents can live indefinitely in the United States and are generally authorized to work without a separate work permit.

How can I get a US Permanent Resident Card?

Permanent residence can be available through qualifying family relationships, employment-based categories, refugee or asylee provisions, the Diversity Visa Program, investment and certain special immigrant or statutory routes. Eligibility and the application procedure depend on the category.

Do all green card applicants file Form I-485?

No. Form I-485 is used for adjustment of status by eligible applicants applying from within the United States. Applicants using consular processing generally apply for an immigrant visa through the Department of State and complete Form DS-260 instead.

Can I file Form I-485 before my immigrant petition is approved?

In some categories, yes. Concurrent filing can be available where the immigration category permits it, an immigrant visa is immediately available and the applicant meets the other filing requirements. Other applicants must wait for petition approval before filing Form I-485.

How long is a US Permanent Resident Card valid?

Most standard Permanent Resident Cards are valid for 10 years. Conditional permanent residents generally receive cards valid for two years. Expiration of a standard 10-year card does not itself terminate lawful permanent resident status.

Can I travel outside the US with a green card?

Yes. Permanent residents can travel abroad, but prolonged or repeated absences can raise questions about whether the United States remains their permanent home. Abandonment is assessed from the overall facts rather than through a simple six-month or one-year rule.

What happens if I stay outside the United States for more than six months?

An absence of more than six months can affect naturalization continuous residence and can result in additional scrutiny when returning to the United States. It does not automatically mean permanent resident status has been abandoned.

What happens if I stay outside the United States for more than one year?

An absence of one year or more can create serious documentation and readmission issues. Permanent residents who expect to remain overseas for a year or more should consider applying for a reentry permit before leaving the United States. A person already abroad cannot apply for a reentry permit from overseas.

Does a reentry permit guarantee that I will keep my green card?

No. A reentry permit can support evidence that an absence was intended to be temporary and can provide appropriate travel documentation, but it does not guarantee admission or prevent immigration authorities from considering whether permanent residence has been abandoned.

Can a green card holder apply for US citizenship?

Yes. Most permanent residents can apply for naturalization after satisfying the five-year permanent residence requirement and the other eligibility criteria. A qualifying spouse of a US citizen may be eligible under the three-year rule where all statutory requirements are met.

What happens if my green card expires?

Expiration of a standard 10-year Permanent Resident Card does not normally terminate lawful permanent resident status. The card should still be renewed because an expired card can make travel and proof of status more difficult.

How do I renew my US Permanent Resident Card?

A permanent resident with an expiring or expired standard 10-year card generally files Form I-90 with USCIS. Conditional permanent residents do not use Form I-90 simply to renew their two-year card and instead follow the applicable process for removing conditions.

What is the difference between conditional and unconditional permanent residence?

A conditional permanent resident already holds lawful permanent resident status but the status is subject to conditions for an initial two-year period. Marriage-based conditional residents generally use Form I-751 to remove conditions, while qualifying EB-5 investors generally use Form I-829.

Can I work in the US with a green card?

Yes. Lawful permanent residents are generally authorized to work in the United States without a separate Employment Authorization Document. Certain government, security-sensitive and other positions may be restricted to US citizens.

Can I lose permanent resident status because of a criminal conviction?

Certain criminal convictions or conduct can make a lawful permanent resident removable or inadmissible. The immigration consequences depend on the specific offense, statute, sentence and immigration history, so a criminal conviction does not automatically cancel every green card.

Does filing US taxes as a nonresident affect a green card?

It can. A permanent resident who is required to file as a US resident but files as a nonresident alien may create evidence relevant to whether they intended to maintain the United States as their permanent home. Tax and immigration advice may be required where there has been inconsistent filing.

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