I Got My Green Card! What Happens Now?

You have your green card, congratulations! Learn about your rights and responsibilities as a new U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident to help maintain your status.

Your New Rights and Responsibilities

Congratulations! Receiving your green card (officially called a Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551) is a life-changing milestone. It means you have been granted permission to live and work in the United States permanently.

Now that you're a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR), it's important to understand both the new rights you've gained and the key responsibilities you must follow to maintain your status. This guide breaks down what you need to know as you start your new life in the U.S.

Your Rights as a Green Card Holder

As a Lawful Permanent Resident, you now have many of the same rights as U.S. citizens.

Here’s what you can now do:

• Live Permanently in the U.S.: You have the right to live anywhere you choose in the United States.
• Work Legally in the U.S.: You can work at almost any job without needing a special work permit (EAD). (Note: Some federal jobs may be restricted to U.S. citizens only).
• Own Property: You have the right to own a house, car, and other property in the United States.
• Be Protected by Law: You are protected by all federal, state, and local laws of the United States.
• Apply for a Driver's License: You can apply for a driver's license in your state or territory.
• Attend Public Schools and Colleges: You are eligible to attend public schools and colleges.
• Travel Outside the U.S.: You can travel internationally. However, there are important rules about how long you can be outside the U.S. without risking your permanent resident status (more on that below).
• Sponsor Relatives: You can file immigrant petitions (using Form I-130) for certain immediate family members, like your spouse and unmarried children, to get their own green cards.
• Receive Social Security Benefits: If you meet the requirements (usually by working and paying taxes for a certain number of years), you can receive Social Security retirement, disability, and survivor benefits.
• Apply for U.S. Citizenship: After meeting certain requirements (like living in the U.S. for three or five years), you can apply to become a U.S. citizen.

Your Responsibilities as a Green Card Holder

Maintaining your permanent resident status means following certain rules. These responsibilities are very important.

Here’s what you are required to do:

• Obey All Laws: You must obey all federal, state, and local laws. Committing certain crimes can put you at risk of being deported and losing your green card.
  
  
• File Your Taxes: You must file income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and your state's tax department every year, just like U.S. citizens.
  
  
• Carry Your Green Card: It's generally recommended to carry proof of your permanent resident status with you. While you don't always need the physical card in your pocket every minute, you should have it available as your official government-issued ID.
  
  
• Update Your Address with USCIS: This is a critical responsibility. If you move, you must report your new address to USCIS within 10 days of moving. The easiest way to do this is by using the official USCIS Online Change of Address tool.
  
  
• Support the U.S. System of Government: You must support the democratic form of government and not try to change it through illegal means.
  
  
• Register with the Selective Service (if required): If you are a male between the ages of 18 and 25, you must register with the Selective Service System.

A Note on Maintaining Your Residence

Your green card gives you the right to live permanently in the United States. USCIS expects you to make the U.S. your primary home.

• Traveling Abroad: You can travel, but if you stay outside the U.S. for more than one year, USCIS may determine that you have "abandoned" your residency.
  
  
• For Long Trips: If you know you need to be outside the U.S. for one year or more, you should apply for a Re-entry Permit using Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, before you leave the country. This shows USCIS that you don't intend to abandon your status.

The Path to U.S. Citizenship

For many, getting a green card is a major step toward becoming a U.S. citizen. Being a Lawful Permanent Resident is a requirement before you can apply for citizenship through the process called "naturalization."

After you meet the eligibility requirements—which typically include holding your green card for a certain number of years (usually five years, or three if married to a U.S. citizen), demonstrating good moral character, and passing English and civics tests—you can choose to apply to become a full U.S. citizen.

Welcome to your new life as a U.S. permanent resident! Understanding these rights and responsibilities is the key to successfully living in the United States and, if you choose, eventually becoming a citizen.

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