Difference between Green Card and US Passport

The Green Card or permanent residency in America offers almost the same benefits to the individual, and after receiving the US Green Card, one can obtain a US passport after three years. A person who has obtained the US Green Card does not have the right to vote in the US until they successfully receive a passport and is not recognized as a citizen, but as mentioned, they can benefit from citizen services in this country.

Feature	U.S. Citizenship	U.S. Green Card
Right to Vote in Local and National Elections	Yes	No
Travel Outside the U.S.	Unlimited	Cannot stay outside for more than 1 year
Eligibility for Financial and Educational Aid	Yes	No
Eligibility for Government Jobs	Yes	No
Possibility of Deportation	No, not possible	Yes, possible
Eligibility for U.S. Passport	Yes	Yes, but after a certain period and meeting requirements

New US Green Card Law

In August 2024, the US Department of Homeland Security introduced a new program titled “Keeping Families Together.” This program allows certain spouses and stepchildren of US citizens who have entered the US illegally, under certain conditions, to apply for a Green Card without leaving the country. Previously, individuals who entered the US without a visa had to return to their home country to obtain a Green Card, which was a lengthy and risky process.

An applicant with immigration to the US who is eager to obtain a Green Card or permanent residency in the country needs to choose a suitable path according to current laws. Therefore, seeking help from an immigration lawyer experienced in current US regulations will be very effective. 

 

Conditions for Obtaining a US Green Card

Various pathways such as family, job offers, investment, asylum in the US, or illegal immigration to the US are defined for obtaining a US Green Card, each having different conditions. The conditions for obtaining a US Green Card are detailed below.

 

Obtaining a Green Card through Work

Work-based Green Cards are categorized into two types. General jobs that can lead to a Green Card right from the start. Other jobs may take five years to qualify the applicant for a US Green Card.

 

Obtaining a Green Card through Investment

If you can create 10 jobs in the US or invest about 1.8 million euros in investment in the US, you can apply for a US Green Card.

 

Obtaining a Green Card through Education

Studying in the USA does not directly lead to obtaining a Green Card unless the applicant after education follows one of the pathways of marriage, winning the lottery, joining the US military, kinship, or seeking asylum.

 

Obtaining a Green Card through Marriage

Another way to obtain a US Green Card is by marrying a US citizen. If you marry in the US, you must work and live in this country for three years. Then, by providing complete documents, including your marriage certificate, you can apply for a Green Card.

 

Obtaining a Green Card through Lottery

One of the fastest and easiest ways to access a US Green Card is through the lottery. Obtaining a Green Card through the lottery does not require significant expenses. The annual lottery for the Green Card allows selected individuals to apply for it.

 

Obtaining a Green Card through Family-based method

Immigrating to the US through Family-based method allows individuals over 21 who are US citizens to apply to bring their parents or siblings. Under certain conditions, it is also possible to apply for Green Cards for second-degree relatives.

 

Which countries can you travel to with a US Green Card?

In response to this question, it should be noted that if you hold a US passport and are a citizen of this country, you can travel to 184 countries around the world without a visa; however, since Green Card holders are not considered US citizens, they cannot travel without a visa to all these 184 countries. Fortunately, travel to some countries such as Canada, Georgia, Singapore, Aruba, and Curacao, Mexico, Costa Rica, the British Virgin Islands, the Balkans, and Peru is possible without a visa.

 

Types of US Green Cards

Under the new US Green Card laws, methods for obtaining a Green Card include family, work, special immigrants, asylum, and other methods, each explained in their specific table below.

 

 

Obtaining a Green Card through EB3

Some U.S. employment agencies offer job opportunities that lead directly to a Green Card. These moderate-income jobs are limited and chosen by the agencies. If approved, applicants can move to the U.S. with their spouse and unmarried children under 22. The Malekpour Institute helps secure job offers and connects applicants with U.S. immigration lawyers. There’s no strict age limit (under 55 preferred), but applicants must work in the approved job for 1–2 years to keep their Green Card.

 

Obtaining a Green Card through Family

Based on the following criteria, you may be eligible to obtain a Green Card through family:

• If you are the parent of a person over 21 years old, a single child over 21 years old, or the spouse of a US citizen, you fall under this scheme.
• A person engaged to a US citizen and applying with the K1 or K2 visa also qualifies.
• A widow of a person who was a US citizen at the time of their death is also included in this classification.
• Parents, spouses, or children under 21 of a US citizen who is a victim of severe abuse are included.
• A single son or daughter; a sister or brother of a citizen over 21 years old. A married son or daughter of a US citizen, a spouse of a person with permanent residency in the US, and any unmarried or married child under 21 years old of a US citizen.

 

Obtaining a Green Card through Work

Obtaining a Green Card through work is as follows:

• Unskilled worker

Applicants can apply for entry-level jobs such as gardening and housekeeping. For this type of visa, no educational qualifications, investment, or language certificates are required; the applicant only needs to be able to converse in English and to have suitable physical condition and be between the ages of 25 to 40 for the work.

The duration of this process is about 1.5 to 2 years, which can be reduced to under a year by paying $2,500. This visa grants a Green Card simultaneously to both the applicant and their family.

 

• Migrant worker

If you possess extraordinary ability in arts, business, or sports, you will be prioritized as a migrant worker. If you are a multinational executive with specific criteria, a professor, or a distinguished researcher, you will be placed in the second priority.

If you are a professional with an advanced degree, you fall into the third priority for migrant workers if you have a degree that is at least equivalent to a bachelor’s degree of an American or have less than two years of education and experience in the field.

 

• Doctors

Doctors, if eligible, can practice full-time in specified clinics and medical centers designated by the government during a specified period of working in the US.

 

• Immigrant investor

An immigrant who has invested a minimum of $1.8 million in the US or in certain designated areas, $900,000, and created 10 full-time jobs.

 

Obtaining a Green Card through Lottery

One way to get a U.S. Green Card is through the DV Lottery. Applicants need a 12-year diploma or 2 years of work experience, plus a valid passport. All participants have an equal chance of winning, and over 90% of lottery winners successfully receive their Green Card.

The lottery registration period is from early October to November. Registration can be done in two ways. In the first case, the applicant can personally register through the https://dvprogram.state.gov website. The applicant must upload all the requested documents on this site.

In the second case, the applicant may seek assistance from agencies for registration. Please note that registering for the US Green Card is free, so any charges incurred by the agencies are for services such as reviewing and completing forms provided to the applicant.

 

 

Obtaining a Green Card through Asylum

To obtain a Green Card through asylum in the US, you must go through specific steps and meet particular conditions. Asylum is a legal route for those unable to return to their country due to fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political beliefs. Below are the main conditions for receiving a Green Card through asylum:

You are eligible if…	Conditions
Asylum Seeker	At least one year has passed since submitting the asylum case.
Refugee	You were accepted as a refugee at least one year ago.

Obtaining a Green Card for Victims of Crime and Human Trafficking

You are eligible if…	Conditions
Human Trafficking Victim	Currently holding a U.S. non-immigrant T visa.
Crime Victim	Currently holding a U.S. non-immigrant U visa.

 

The U.S. non-immigrant T visa allows human trafficking victims to stay in the U.S. for up to 4 years if they help law enforcement. It also covers certain family members and offers access to work, benefits, and a path to a Green Card. The U visa is for victims of specific crimes who’ve suffered abuse and assist in investigations, also leading to potential permanent residency.

 

Cost of a US Green Card

The costs that you need to incur to obtain this card involve application and processing fees for the applicant. The following table addresses these expenses:

Fee Name	Fee Amount (USD)
Green Card Processing	325 to 345
USCIS Fee for Immigrants	220
Biometrics Services	85
Medical Examinations	400 to 500

Steps to Obtain a US Green Card

In answer to the question of how to obtain a Green Card, the steps for obtaining a US Green Card are as follows:

1. Check eligibility
2. File an immigration petition
3. Get your application approved by USCIS
4. Choose a method
5. Complete biometrics
6. Attend a green card interview

 

 

Required Documents for a US Green Card

To obtain a Green Card, you need to prepare several documents, which vary depending on the method of obtaining the Green Card; however, some documents are consistent across all methods. The following are the mentioned documents.

• Clearance Certificate
• ID
• Copy of passport page with non-immigrant visa
• Two color photographs
• Medical Examination
• Form AG325 Biographical Information Sheet

 

Time Frame for Issuing a US Green Card

Considering that there are various pathways to obtaining a Green Card, the time frame for getting a US Green Card also varies. In general, there are four types of family-based Green Cards, marriage-based, employment-based, and visas for returning lawful permanent residents, all of which grant you legal permanent residency status in the US (LPR), with each having its own specific process and timeline.

Below, further details about the time frame for acquiring a US Green Card for each of these types are provided.

Application Path	Processing Time
Family	Average processing time: 6 months to 33 months Maximum time: Could take up to 10 years
Marriage	10 to 13 months
Employment	4 to 6 years
Returning Permanent Residents	_

Validity Period of a US Green Card

A Green Card or USCIS form I-551 is your proof of permanent residency in the United States. It also serves as a valid form of identification and proof that you are eligible to live and work in the United States. While the validity of a US Green Card has no expiration date in some of its types, it is generally valid for 10 years.

If conditional permanent residency has been granted to you, the card is valid for 2 years. Make sure to keep your card updated. Without a valid card, proving your permanent residency may be difficult for you, which can also affect your ability to travel or prove eligibility for work in the United States.

 

Conditions for Renewing a US Green Card

To renew a US Green Card, which is typically valid for 10 years, you must apply about six months before its expiration by filling out form I-90. The applicant must have maintained continuous residence in the US, not have engaged in serious crimes, and have paid taxes. The renewal fee is currently $540 (including $455 for the form and $85 for biometric services).

After submitting the application, you will receive a receipt that serves as temporary residency proof until the new card is issued. The renewal process usually takes between 6 to 12 months.

 

Benefits of a Green Card

The US Green Card grants you the right to enter the United States as a permanent resident. If you wish to reside in the United States indefinitely, there are no limitations in this regard, and all 50 states are open to you.

Additionally, with this card, you can enjoy nearly all the rights and benefits of US citizenship, except for voting rights. If you decide to become a citizen of the United States, you can apply for US citizenship after five years of living in the US. The benefits of a US Green Card are as follows.

Lower Education Costs	Legal Work Authorization
Access to Health Insurance	Ability to Obtain U.S. Passport and Travel to 184 Countries Without a Visa
Permanent Residency in the United States	Sponsorship for Family Members
Ability to Re-enter the U.S. Without a Visa

 

Applying for a US Green Card for First-Degree Relatives

To apply for a US Green Card for first-degree relatives (Immediate Relatives) of US citizens, such as spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents, there is no need to wait for a visa quota because this group does not fall under quotas.

To obtain a U.S. Green Card through family sponsorship, the U.S. citizen must submit Form I-130. If the relative is in the U.S., they can file Form I-485 at the same time. Required documents include proof of relationship, birth certificates, citizenship proof, and Form I-864 (financial support). Processing usually takes 12–18 months.

 

The Fastest Method to Receive a Green Card or US Green Card

There are different pathways established to receive a Green Card in the US, some of which are quicker than others. Generally, individuals who receive temporary residency in the US become eligible for a Green Card after five years; however, through some immigration pathways such as the lottery, certain investment methods, some work visas, and special visa categories, individuals can directly receive a Green Card.

Thus, each individual can use the conditions and resume they have, with the help of an expert lawyer, to select the fastest way to obtain a Green Card or US Green Card.

 

Converting a Green Card to a Passport

Permanent residency status (Green Card) confirms your right to live indefinitely in the United States. This includes the right to reside and the right to work, as permanent status is also issued for immediate family members. Therefore, the conditions for converting a Green Card to a passport are presented in the table below.

Applicant Conditions	Minimum Time Living in the U.S.	Time to Apply for Passport
Green Card Holder (No Special Conditions)	30 months (2.5 years)	After 5 years
Green Card Holder Married to a U.S. Citizen	18 months (1.5 years)	After 3 years
Widow of a U.S. Citizen Who Died in Honorable Military Service	Not required	Any time
Green Card Holder with at Least 1 Year of Military Service in Peacetime	Not required	During service or within 6 months after honorable discharge
Green Card Holder with Less Than 1 Year of Military Service in Peacetime	30 months (2.5 years)	After 5 years

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Obtaining a US Green Card

• How long does it take to obtain a US Green Card?

The process of obtaining a Green Card takes between 7 to 33 months. The timeline depends on the type of residency card, the region, the processing office, and other influential factors. Obtaining a Green Card based on family relations can take from 1 to 10 years.

 

• What is the difference between a US Green Card and the country’s passport?

A Green Card is actually a permanent residency card for the US, whereas a passport is for individuals who acquire citizenship of a country.

 

• How do I get a US Green Card?

The significant ways to obtain this card include family, work, special immigrants, crime victims, and other methods. Each of these paths has its specific classifications, explained in detail in the article.

 

• What is the easiest method to obtain a Green Card?

Undoubtedly, the easiest method to obtain a Green Card is the lottery.

 

• How long is a US Green Card valid?

A Green Card provides indefinite permanent residency in the US, but it must be renewed every 10 years.

This article reviewed U.S. Green Card requirements, laws, and costs. Since processing times are long, it’s recommended to contact Malekpour Immigration Institute for expert evaluation and guidance on the best U.S. immigration options. You can also ask questions about Green Card eligibility in the comments section for personalized answers.