A green card is often the first major step toward building a life in the United States. It allows a person to live and work in the country as a lawful permanent resident. However, a green card is not the same as U.S. citizenship. Citizens hold rights and protections that permanent residents do not. These distinctions often lead many green card holders to pursue citizenship through naturalization.
Green card and U.S. citizenship comparison
A green card identifies someone as a lawful permanent resident (LPR) of the U.S. A citizen holds full national status. Both can live and work in the country, but their rights and obligations are not the same.
1. Voting and political participation
- Green card holders: Cannot vote in federal elections or run for elected office.
- U.S. citizens: Can vote in all federal, state, and local elections and can run for elected office, except for President and Vice President.
2. Legal protection and deportation
- Green card holders: Can lose status and be removed from the United States if they commit certain crimes or violate immigration law.
- U.S. citizens: Cannot be removed or deported from the United States.
3. Travel and residency
- Green card holders: May travel abroad but must maintain U.S. residence and present their green card when re-entering the country.
- U.S. citizens: Can travel freely with a U.S. passport and re-enter the country without restriction.
4. Sponsoring family members
- Green card holders: May sponsor only a spouse and unmarried children.
- U.S. citizens: May sponsor a spouse, children (married or unmarried), parents, and siblings.
5. Government employment and Benefits
- Green card holders: May apply for most jobs but cannot hold positions that require U.S. citizenship, including certain federal jobs and security-related roles.
- U.S. citizens: Eligible for all public employment and benefits programs restricted to citizens.
6. Duration and renewal
- Green card holders: Must renew their cards every ten years using Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card.
- U.S. citizens: Do not renew citizenship. Status is permanent.
Reasons to naturalize
Naturalization is the process through which an LPR becomes a U.S. citizen. Many residents choose this step because it provides lasting security and the full legal and civic rights that come with citizenship.
Permanent security
Citizenship eliminates the possibility of losing legal status. A permanent resident can lose residency through certain legal violations or by remaining outside the country for extended periods. Citizenship is permanent and cannot be taken away under normal circumstances. It provides complete assurance of one’s right to remain in the U.S. for life.
Legal independence
Green card holders remain subject to immigration requirements such as card renewal, address updates, and residence rules. Citizens are fully independent under U.S. law. They are not required to maintain immigration records or prove continued residence. This independence allows individuals to live and work in the country without administrative restrictions tied to immigration status.
Direct voice in government
Citizens gain the right to vote in all elections. Voting allows them to choose leaders, influence laws, and take part in national and local decision-making. This participation gives citizens a direct role in shaping policies that affect their lives and communities.
Simplified family immigration
Citizens can petition for more categories of relatives, and some family applications are processed without annual limits. This results in shorter waiting times and greater flexibility to reunite with immediate family members. Therefore, naturalization strengthens family stability and creates opportunities for families to live together in the U.S.
Access to more opportunities
Citizenship removes employment and benefit restrictions that apply to permanent residents. It opens the full range of professional and public service opportunities, including federal jobs, government contracts, and scholarships reserved for citizens. This expanded access often improves career advancement and long-term economic stability.
Lifelong status
Unlike a green card, citizenship does not expire or require renewal. It provides a permanent legal foundation that remains valid regardless of changes in law or residence. This lifelong status gives citizens the confidence to plan their futures without concern about losing their right to live in the U.S.
Confirmed Sources
- USCIS. https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-we-grant-your-green-card/rights-and-responsibilities-of-a-green-card-holder-permanent-resident
- USCIS. https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship
- USCIS. https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-we-grant-your-green-card/maintaining-permanent-residence
- USCIS. https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-eligibility-categories
- USCIS. https://www.uscis.gov/i-90