Benefits of Holding a U.S. Green Card
Every year, people all over the globe get a chance to apply for the US green card. In fact, winning the green card is a dream come true for many people who would want to live permanently in the US. Nevertheless, there are more benefits to obtaining a US green card. This is why many foreigners apply for the green card as soon as they become eligible. The green card is sometimes called the permanent residency. Below are the primary benefits of acquiring the US green card.
The Freedom to Live Permanently and Work in the US
After obtaining the green card, the law allows a person to live permanently in the US. Consequently, you enjoy all freedoms of a US citizen including free movement and working for any employer in the US. Besides, you can take any work you wish in the US including government jobs. A green card holder does not require any additional work authorization to work in the US. A person can also make the US a permanent home by even buying a home.
You Can Sponsor Relatives to Live in the US
One may go for a US green card application under many categories. The government issues a limited number of green cards under each category. Therefore, one must apply to the right category to increase chances of getting the green card. When one becomes a green card holder, the immediate family can apply for permanent residency through the family-based green card category. It is imperative to note that immediate family members include spouse, parents, and unmarried children. On the other hand, one can also sponsor married children and siblings under the preference family category.
Freedom of Movement
A green card holder can travel outside of the US and return freely without additional travel requirements. One can also travel to any state within the US or live in any part of the US. However, it is crucial to take additional steps to safeguard your permanent residency when leaving the country for more than six months.
Cheaper Education
Notably, tuition fees for colleges, vocational schools, and universities green card holders are lower than for those with a visa. Green Card holders can also claim ‘in-state’ status while applying for their children’s school admission by proving permanent residency. Due to this, one can save a considerable amount as compared to fees payable by ‘out of state’ residents. In addition, more financial aid is available to facilitate cheaper education for green card holders.
Legal Rights
With permanent residence in the US, a person may get many social benefits. These benefits include research grants, insurance coverage, social security benefits, taxation benefits, state sponsorship in education, research, health benefits, and retirement benefits. A US green card holder can own firearms, a house, cars, and other property in the US. One may even be able to secure financing for these purchases without facing residency-related challenges.
One Can Seek US Citizenship
After living in the US for five years as a green card holder, one you may qualify to apply for US citizenship. Full citizenship gives a person the right to vote and run for office.
Permanent Status
People with nonimmigrant visas are only allowed a specific status for a short period. In addition, one must reapply in order to extend their stay. However, the case is different with a green card. The green card s will only need to renew your green card every ten years or so. Often, people find this a very simple process.
A Possibility of More Job Opportunities
For immigrants with a work visa, job opportunities may be limited and a little hard to find. Typically, this is because an employer needs to sponsor the employee’s visa. For green card holders, the job market opens up considerably. This is generally because a number of jobs are open only to Green Card holders or US citizens. When one is a green card holder, the employer does not have to sponsor you. Therefore, an employer will be more open to hiring an immigrant.
Social Security Benefits
A visa may allow a person to work in the United States. However, the person will not be eligible for social security benefits no matter the period the job takes. A green card holder is entitled to social benefits after a certain period. To become eligible for social security benefits, one should work for not less than 10 continuous years in the US. This gives a person the guarantee of getting the same retirement benefits as a US citizen.
Do you want to live the American life? If yes, the ideal thing would be filing the applying to the green card lottery that comes once every year. If you need more information about the green card, get in touch with us. Our experts will be willing to guide you at every step of the path towards getting the green card.
