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Receiving a Green Card is one of the most significant milestones in the immigration journey of anyone who decides to build a life in the United States. The green card formalizes the status of Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR), opens unrestricted access to the American job market, and unlocks social, educational, and family benefits. But permanent residency is not a blank check. It comes with obligations whose violation can cost exactly what took years to achieve.
This guide walks through, point by point, what a permanent resident can do, what they must comply with, and what they should avoid to preserve their status — with references to current forms and fees as of 2025.
What it means to be a permanent resident
A lawful permanent resident is a person authorized to live and work in the United States indefinitely, on terms comparable to those of a citizen for economic and social purposes, but without full political rights. Residency is evidenced by Form I-551, commonly known as the Green Card, valid for ten years in the case of unconditional residency or two years in the case of conditional residency granted through a recent marriage or the EB-5 program.
The status can be obtained through a family petition, job offer, investment, granted asylum, diversity lottery, and other pathways. Regardless of the route, once the card is issued, the holder enters a unique regime of rights and obligations governed primarily by the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and USCIS regulations.
Rights of the Green Card holder
Unrestricted employment
A permanent resident may accept any job in any state, for any private or public employer, without the need for additional sponsorship or an Employment Authorization Document. Excluded are federal positions requiring U.S. citizenship for national security reasons, such as certain military and intelligence roles, and some elected offices.
Education and in-state tuition
After meeting the domicile requirements of the state where they reside — typically twelve months — the LPR pays reduced in-state tuition at public universities and has full access to free K–12 education. They are also eligible for most federal student aid programs, including FAFSA and Pell Grant, unlike holders of temporary visas.
Family sponsorship
A permanent resident may petition for the immigration of their spouse and unmarried children under 21 through Form I-130, under the F2A preference category, and for unmarried children over 21 under the F2B category. It is not possible to sponsor parents or siblings while holding only permanent resident status — that capacity is reserved for U.S. citizens.
Access to public benefits
LPRs may contribute to and benefit from Social Security, Medicare, and coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. Federal programs such as SNAP, TANF, and non-emergency Medicaid typically require five years of permanent residency before full eligibility, with state-level exceptions. Veterans, refugees, and children have more favorable rules in many states.
Freedom to travel
Leaving and re-entering the United States is a right of the permanent resident, as long as the rules for maintaining status are followed. Short trips of under six months generally do not pose problems. Longer absences require extra caution, as detailed below.
Duties of the permanent resident
Full compliance with the law
Any criminal conviction, even for seemingly minor offenses, can trigger devastating immigration consequences. Crimes classified as aggravated felonies or crimes involving moral turpitude lead to removal proceedings with very limited defenses. Before accepting any criminal plea deal, the resident must consult an immigration attorney, because a poorly calibrated plea bargain can end their life in the United States.
Maintaining U.S. domicile
The Green Card presupposes primary residence on American soil. Continuous absences exceeding six months create a presumption of abandonment and may be questioned by CBP upon reentry. For planned absences between one and two years, the resident should apply in advance for a Re-entry Permit via Form I-131, with the current fee of $575. Absences exceeding two years typically require a Returning Resident Visa (SB-1) at the consulate. Even recurring shorter trips may constitute abandonment if the pattern indicates that the actual domicile is outside the United States.
Tax obligations as a tax resident
The LPR is treated as a tax resident by the IRS from the date of admission and must report worldwide income annually, even when living abroad. There are additional obligations such as the FBAR for foreign accounts exceeding $10,000 at any point during the year and Form 8938 for foreign financial assets above the applicable thresholds. Claiming non-resident status on a federal tax return is considered evidence of abandonment of permanent residency.
Address updates
Any change of address must be reported to USCIS within ten days using Form AR-11, which is free and available online. The obligation also applies to dependents who are in the United States. Non-compliance, though rarely penalized in isolation, may result in a fine and complicate the delivery of critical documents.
Card renewal
The green card is valid for ten years. Renewal is done through Form I-90, with a fee of $465 by paper or $415 online, per the USCIS fee schedule in effect since April 1, 2024. Biometrics are already included in the fee. Conditional residents do not use Form I-90 and must remove the condition through Form I-751 (marriage-based) or Form I-829 (EB-5) before the second anniversary of their approval.
Selective Service registration
Men between the ages of 18 and 25, including permanent residents, must register with the Selective Service System. Failure to do so prevents future applications for federal benefits and naturalization itself.
The path to U.S. citizenship
The greatest long-term benefit of the Green Card is the possibility of naturalization. The general rule requires five years of continuous permanent residency, with at least half that time as physical presence in the United States. Spouses of U.S. citizens may apply after three years, provided they have been married and cohabitating throughout the entire period. The petition uses Form N-400, with a fee of $760 by paper or $710 online per the April 2024 fee schedule adjustment.
The process includes an English test, American civics exam, and an interview with a USCIS officer. Once approved, the applicant takes the Oath of Allegiance and gains the right to vote, a U.S. passport, eligibility for federal offices not reserved for native-born citizens, and protection against deportation. Citizens may also sponsor parents and siblings, significantly expanding the scope of family-based immigration.
Common risks that lead to loss of status
Three situations account for the majority of cases of involuntary loss of residency. The first is extended absence without a Re-entry Permit, which triggers questioning at the port of entry and can escalate to proceedings before an immigration judge. The second is a criminal conviction without specialized legal guidance, particularly for drug possession, fraud, domestic violence, and weapons offenses. The third is making false statements to the government, especially in applications for social benefits or at immigration checkpoints upon returning from travel, constituting future inadmissibility under INA §212(a)(6)(C).
Maintaining the Green Card is not simply carrying the physical card. It means sustaining, year after year, the set of behaviors that confirm a genuine intention to live in the United States as a resident. For those who follow this routine, the status provides stability until naturalization. For those who neglect it, residency can be revoked just as quickly as it was obtained.
Victoria Harper
Editor-in-Chief
Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.
