Posted on: Nov 27, 2025 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Green Card vs Citizenship: Key Differences Guide

green card vs citizenship

Choosing between a US Green Card and US citizenship is a big decision that will change your life. There are different rights, duties, and chances with each choice. Both give you legal status, but the long-term pros and cons can be very different.

Understanding the Green Card vs citizenship debate is essential if you want to move to the US permanently or are already a resident. Let's closely examine both choices so you can make the best choice for your future.

What is a Green Card?

As a Permanent Resident Card, the Green Card lets people who are not US citizens live and work in the US permanently. It's not quite citizenship, but it still gives you a steady legal standing.

This is how you can get a Green Card:

1. Sponsorship for a family

2. Applications based on jobs

3. Programs for refugees or people seeking safety

4. Lottery for the Green Card (Diversity Visa Program)

5. Certain groups, such as investors or mistreated spouses

For many people, getting a Green Card is the first step towards becoming a US citizen.

Benefits of a Green Card

Having a Green Card is very helpful, especially if you want to stay for a long time. Some of the main perks are:

1. Living legally: You can live and work in the US forever.

2. Work flexibility: You are not bound to a particular company or job.

3. Become a citizen: After 3–5 years, you can apply to become a US citizen.

4. Social benefits: The ability to get Social Security and Medicare (after meeting specific requirements).

5. Right to travel: You can leave and come back to the US, but there are some rules.

Having a Green Card also makes it easier to help close family members become permanent residents in the future.

Limitations of a Green Card

There are many good things about it, but there are also some significant problems to think about. These are the main problems:

1. Not allowed to vote: People with a Green Card cannot vote in US elections.

2. Possible deportation: If you break the law seriously, you could lose your position.

3. Limits on re-entry: If you stay outside of the US for more than a year, you may lose your position.

4. Need for renewal: You have to renew the green card every 10 years.

5. Fewer jobs in the government: US citizens are the only ones who can apply for some government jobs.

Check your re-entry papers and travel insurance cover often if you travel a lot to ensure they are up-to-date and legal.

Who Is Eligible for a US Green Card?

Your eligibility depends on the type of entry you have. Here's how it works:

1. Based on family: People who are married to or living with a US citizen or permanent resident

2. Based on employment: People with specific skills or job openings

3. Asylum seekers and refugees: After a year of living in the US

4. Extra categories: Foreign investors (EB-5), mistreated family members, and Afghan and Iraqi citizens

5. Lottery for Diversity Visas: People from places where few people come to the US.

Each category has its own rules for how to apply and how many spots are available.

How to Get a Green Card?

The steps for applying vary, but usually they are:

1. Putting in a petition: By a backer (job or family member) or, in some cases, by petitioning on your own.

2. Waiting for priority date: Especially for groups based on family and work.

3. Getting a visa number: Based on the rules for the year and your country.

4. Status changes or processing at the consulate: Each state has different rules.

5. Medical tests and checks of the background

6. Meeting and final approval

You might also want to download the Universal Travel Pass if you are getting ready for a lot of local or cross-state travel. It's a valid digital pass that lets you easily get through security checks.

What is US Citizenship?

Citizenship is the top level of admission that the United States gives out. It gives you all the rights and legal protections the Constitution gives you, like the right to vote and get all government benefits.

You can become a citizen of the United States in one of two ways:

1. By birth in the US or to parents from the US, or

2. Through naturalisation (if you have a Green Card)

Unlike a Green Card, it is permanent, and you don't have to renew your citizenship.

Who Is Eligible for US Citizenship?

To become a citizen through naturalisation, you must:

1. Age 18 or older

2. Five years with a Green Card, or three years if married to a US citizen

3. Display a permanent address and real presence in the United States.

4. Being of good moral character is essential.

5. Do well on the English and civics tests

There are some exceptions for people in the military, partners of US citizens stationed abroad, and other unique situations.

How to Get US Citizenship?

There are several steps in the process of becoming a citizen:

1. Fill out Form N-400, which is an application for naturalisation.

2. For fingerprints and background checks, make a biometrics appointment.

3. Discussion with USCIS. Take the English test, the civics test, and the in-person discussion

4. Taking the oath ceremony, swearing loyalty to the US.

5. After taking the oath, you can get a US visa and a Certificate of Naturalisation.

Difference Between a Permanent Resident (Green Card) and a Citizen

Understanding the Green Card vs citizenship benefits can help you ensure that your objectives align with the appropriate status.

Feature Green Card Holder US Citizen
Voting Rights No Yes
Passport Cannot apply Can apply for a US passport
Deportation Risk Yes (in case of crimes) No (except for fraud cases)
Stay Outside the US Restricted (max 1 year) Unlimited
Federal Jobs Limited Full eligibility
Petitioning Family Limited to close family More family categories are eligible
Travel Flexibility Moderate, requires re-entry docs Full freedom
Renewals Every 10 years No renewal required

Anyone travelling abroad should get international travel insurance regardless of status. This is especially important if they are going to a country that needs proof of coverage or medical benefits while they are there.

Conclusion

The decision between a Green Card vs citizenship relies on your long-term goals. You can get a Green Card if you want to be flexible, make a few promises, and find a way to settle down. But US citizenship is the best way to participate in government, protect yourself from removal fully, and have all of your rights.

It's smart to weigh the pros and cons. You can make a choice that will affect your family, job, and freedom in the future by understanding the Green Card vs citizenship benefits.

FAQs

1. If I move a lot, can I lose my Green Card?

Yes. It's possible to lose your standing if you stay outside of the US for more than 12 months without a re-entry pass. Always ensure you have the proper paperwork and travel insurance cover.

2. Do I have to give up the citizenship I have now?

Depending on the rules in your home country, becoming a US citizen may require you to give up your original citizenship. In most cases, though, the US lets people have multiple passports.

3. What happens if I fail the test to become a citizen?

You can try again. You have 60 to 90 days to retake the test if you fail either the English or civics test at your USCIS interview.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.


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