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Home / IAS Preparation / Green Card vs Citizenship

Green Card and Citizenship - Difference, Eligibility, Benefits, Rights And More

Last Updated on Jul 07, 2023
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A Green Card, also known as a Permanent Resident Card, is an identification document proving a person’s right to live permanently in the United States. All permanent residents receive a Green Card from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as evidence of their eligibility to dwell and work in the country. An individual and a state have a connection known as citizenship in which the individual is obligated to the state and hence entitled to its protection. Each state chooses the circumstances in which it will recognize people as citizens and the circumstances in which that recognition will be revoked. A state’s recognition of a person as a citizen typically entails granting civil, political, and social rights unavailable to non-citizens.

This topic of the difference between Green cards and Citizenship is important from the perspective of the UPSC IAS Examination. The topic falls under General Studies Paper 2 (Mains) and General Studies Paper 1 (Preliminary), particularly in the Indian Polity section.

In this article, we shall discuss the Difference between Green Card and Citizenship. We will also focus on the Rights and benefits of US Citizenship apart from having an insight into the eligibility for Green Card.

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What is a Green Card?
  • The identity card issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to legal permanent residents is commonly called a "green card." It got this nickname due to its green tint from 1946 to 1964. Although the cards changed color to blue, pink, and yellow later, the name "green card" stuck.
  • USCIS usually decides on green card applications. Sometimes an immigration judge or member of the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), on behalf of the U.S. Attorney General, may also grant permanent residency during removal proceedings.
  • The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV Program) makes 50,000 immigrant visas available each year to people from countries with low immigration rates to the U.S. Applicants are randomly chosen from all entries. The U.S. Department of State oversees the DV Program.
  • With their green card, permanent residents can avoid fines or jail.
  • Cards must be renewed every 10 years.
  • The card is called a "green card" due to its original color. It was previously called an "alien registration receipt card" or "certificate of alien registration." Permanent residents age 18 or older who don't have their green cards may be jailed for up to 30 days without any excuses.

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What is US citizenship?
  • Citizenship is the highest status granted under US immigration law, providing permanent residency rights.
  • American citizens enjoy rights, obligations, protections, and benefits derived from the US Constitution and laws, including freedom of expression, due process, and the right to vote (with exceptions in certain federal elections).
  • To obtain citizenship, individuals must pledge allegiance to the United States and take an oath to support and defend its constitution.
  • Dual citizenship is permitted in the US, allowing naturalized citizens to retain their previous citizenship while renouncing allegiance to their former country.
  • If allowed by the laws of their new country, US citizens can maintain their American citizenship. Those who wish to renounce their US citizenship formally can do so through an embassy.

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Difference between Green card and Citizenship

The difference between Green Card and Citizenship are elaborated in the table below for better understanding.

Green Card

Citizenship

A Green Card entitles the owner to remain in the United States permanently and to work there. In addition to giving the holder of a Green Card nearly all of the privileges of a US citizen, it also serves as an official ID document.

A lawful permanent resident who meets the criteria outlined by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act is given U.S. citizenship through the naturalization procedure (INA).

Green Card holders can enlist in some branches of the US military, but they cannot work for any federal agencies that accept applications from only US citizens.

The right to citizenship grants access to employment opportunities in all US government departments and military services.

A person with a Green Card may be expelled from the US for committing major crimes, engaging in espionage, or failing to notify the US government of a change of address.

A US citizen won’t be deported, but if fraud was committed during the citizenship application process, their status may be revoked instead.

Green Card holders are permitted to leave the nation, but they should avoid staying too long because it may jeopardise their right to live there.

A US citizen’s ability to travel abroad for an extended period of time will not have any negative effects on their citizenship.

Holders of green cards can apply for visas so that their wives and unmarried children can live in the United States.

When one becomes a citizen, they can file a petition to bring their spouses, children (both married and unmarried), siblings, and other relatives to live in the United States.

Green card holders cannot vote in elections.

A US citizen can vote in elections.

Green card holders are not qualified for the USA passport.

A US citizen can get a US passport after applying for it.

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Rights and Benefits of US Lawful Permanent Residence
  • Upon becoming eligible, many non-citizens eagerly apply for a green card due to the numerous rights granted to holders.
  • Possessing a green card offers several advantages. It includes the freedom to travel domestically and internationally and seek immigration benefits for the entire family.
  • Individuals with green cards are generally allowed to travel for up to six months to maintain their green card status.
  • However, green card holders have limitations compared to American citizens, particularly when it comes to participating in US elections. Claiming citizenship falsely can lead to deportation.
  • Green card holders may sometimes receive different services and benefits than US citizens. They often need to wait five years before accessing federal program benefits.
  • Despite being called "permanent" residents, not all green card holders possess permanent residency status. They cannot permanently live outside the United States or leave the country anytime. Violating these conditions can result in the revocation of their residency and denial of re-entry into the country.

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Rights and Benefits of US Citizenship
  • The highest immigration status one can achieve in the United States is citizenship, which grants a legally permanent residence permit.
  • Citizens are not subject to deportation grounds applicable to green card holders unless they obtain citizenship through dishonest means.
  • Citizenship can only be revoked if it is obtained through fraudulent methods.
  • Citizens of the United States can apply for a passport after obtaining a Certificate of Naturalization, allowing them unlimited travel abroad without time restrictions and visa-free short-term visits to over 180 countries.
  • US citizens have the right to participate in any election in the country, providing an opportunity to influence local and national leadership.
  • Federal employment opportunities are available exclusively to American citizens, and government employees often enjoy higher wages and benefits compared to the private sector.
  • Upon naturalization, individuals gain access to government benefit programs reserved for US citizens, including federal student aid.
  • If married to a US citizen, real estate can be bequeathed to the spouse without incurring property taxes, leading to potential cost savings.
  • US tax law permits tax-free exchanges of real estate between married American citizens.

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Green Card Eligibility in the USA for Indians and Minimum Stay in the US for a Green Card

There are ten steps in the naturalization process, including filling out form N-400, the citizenship application, and making a free account to submit the form online.

  • Taking the Naturalization Test and in-person interviewing with an American. Most of them are American citizens with “Green Cards,” sometimes known as legal permanent residents. The person has two options: as an American citizen with Indian ancestry, the person either registers as an Overseas Citizen of India or applies for an Indian visa (OCI).
  • A foreign national must have lived in the US for at least three years after receiving their visa to be qualified for a U visa. To qualify for a green card, they had to remain in the country during the entire process.

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Conclusion

The US economy is the largest in GDP, accounting for one-fourth of the global GDP at the current market exchange rates. The United States is the world’s largest exporter and second-largest importer of products overall. Even though only 4.2% of the world’s population calls it home, it holds 30% of its wealth. The most powerful military in the world is that of the United States, which spends more than a third of all military spending worldwide.

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We hope all your doubts regarding the difference between Green Card and Citizenship are addressed after going through this article.Testbook provides comprehensive notes for different competitive examinations. It has always assured the quality of its product, like content pages, live tests, Gk and current affairs, mocks, and so on.Ace your UPSC preparation with the Testbook App!

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FAQs

to someone who has chosen to live and work permanently in the country. It serves as an ID card. A person who belongs to a certain state or region is recognised as having citizenship under the custom or law of a sovereign state or local jurisdiction.

A ten-year renewal of the card verifying your status as a lawful permanent resident is not necessary if you are a citizen of the United States. You won't even need to carry your green card or other kind of identification around with you all the time (although you will need a federal U.S. ID or passport when travelling).

Although certain Green Cards, also known as Permanent Resident Cards, do not have expiration dates, the majority are valid for ten years. The card is only valid if you have been awarded conditional permanent resident status, and it is only good for two years.

A resident permit issued by the US that enables an individual to live and work there permanently is referred to as a "green card" in this context. But it doesn't give you American citizenship. You must apply for citizenship and meet a number of requirements, including waiting at least five years after receiving the green card, before you may become a citizen.

Regardless of where they are born or if they are born abroad to Americans, people are citizens of the United States by birth. If you were under 18 and a legal permanent resident when one or both of your parents naturalised, or if you were adopted by a parent who is an U.S. citizen, you may also be eligible to obtain citizenship.
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