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After Getting Your Green Card: How to Keep It
The technical name for holding a U.S. green card, or "lawful permanent residence," suggests that it lasts for as long as you like. The truth is more complicated, however. First, you are expected to carry the actual green card with you, which can lead to complications if it is lost or stolen. Second, your right to a green card itself may be lost if you take certain actions such as making your true home outside th U.S., committing a crime or security violation, or even failing to advise the U.S. immigration authorities when you change your address.
Retaining Your Right to U.S. Permanent Residence
Retaining Your Right to U.S. Permanent Residence
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Keeping Your Green Card After You Get It
How to avoid becoming deportable, abandoning your residence, or otherwise losing your green card rights.
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How to Travel Outside the U.S. With a Green Card
Though you have the right to travel, some cautions are in order.
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When Visa or Green Card Holders Must Pay U.S. Taxes
Failure to follow U.S. tax laws will hurt your ability to qualify for U.S. citizenship. It may also be considered a crime -- such that your green card could be revoked and you could be deported.
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How Falsely Claiming to Be a U.S. Citizen Can Make You Deportable
You can lose your green card by claiming to be a U.S. citizen before it's true.
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Can Green Card Holders Use Medical Marijuana in States Where It's Legal?
What's legal under state law may still be treated as a crime under federal immigration law.
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Grounds of Deportability: When Legal U.S. Residents Can Be Removed
A summary list of the statutory reasons why a green card holder may be removed from the United States.
FAQs About Your Green Card
FAQs About Your Green Card
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Do I Really Need to Carry My Green Card With Me?
Keeping your green card from getting lost or stolen is important, but the law nevertheless requires you to keep it with you at all times.
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Will a Green Card Holder With a DUI Be Allowed to Reenter the U.S.?
Some crimes can result in returning lawful permanent residents being found inadmissible or deportable, though DUIs are not usually among them.
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What If I Forgot to Tell USCIS of My Change of Address?
Don't put your green card at risk by failing to comply with this basic obligation under U.S. immigration law.
Renewing or Replacing the Card Itself
Renewing or Replacing the Card Itself
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Renewing an Expiring Green Card
Make sure to keep your green card up-to-date and valid.
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Mistake on Your Green Card: Who Pays the Replacement Fee?
If USCIS made the mistake, USCIS won't charge you the fee.
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How to Prove You're a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident
The green card and other ways to prove your status.
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Filling Out USCIS Form I-90 to Renew or Replace Green Card
Line-by-line instructions for permanent residents seeking to renew or replace their I-551 card.
Giving Up U.S. Permanent Residence
Giving Up U.S. Permanent Residence
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How to Voluntarily Abandon Lawful Permanent Residence (a Green Card)
No longer interested in holding a U.S. green card? Here's how to formally surrender it.
Working Toward U.S. Citizenship
Working Toward U.S. Citizenship
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When Can I Apply for U.S. Citizenship?
Five years of permanent residence is the usual prerequisite, but find out whether you fall into an exception allowing you to apply early.
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See More Issues When Traveling With a US Green Card Articles![]()
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Reapplying for Family-Based Permanent Residence After Abandoning U.S. Residence
Got a green card, lived abroad for a year or more, and now want to return? Here are some options.
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Don't Lose Your Green Card Due to Long Absence From U.S.: Get a Reentry Permit
Reentry permits and other options for lawful permanent residents taking a trip outside the U.S. or stranded overseas.
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If You've Received Public Benefits, Leaving U.S. Risks Being Refused Reentry
Though green card holders are eligible for some public benefits, that doesn’t make receiving them risk-free.
More Legal Topics
- Asylum & Refugee Status
- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
- Diversity Visa Lottery Green Cards
- Getting a Family-Based Green Card
- Getting an Employment-Based Green Card
- Getting a U.S. Temporary Visa
- Getting Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
- How to Get a Green Card
- Immigration Options for Undocumented Immigrants
- Asylum & Refugee Status
- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
- Diversity Visa Lottery Green Cards
- Getting a Family-Based Green Card
- Getting an Employment-Based Green Card
- Getting a U.S. Temporary Visa
- Getting Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
- How to Get a Green Card
- Immigration Options for Undocumented Immigrants
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