Green Card vs. Citizenship: All You Need To Know

Updated: 6 June 2022

While many individuals use the terms “permanent resident” and “citizen” interchangeably, the two terms are not the same and there are some major differences. Green card holders have limited rights, compared to naturalized US citizens, who have all of the rights granted by the US Constitution.

In this article, we’re going to explain both statuses and highlight the differences.

Green Card vs. Citizenship

Many of the same rights apply to both green card holders and US citizens, such as the freedom to live and work continuously in the United States. Citizens of the United States, on the other hand, enjoy a number of advantages that green card holders do not.

Benefits You Can Enjoy as a Green Card Holder

You can make a visa application for your spouse so they can join you in the US. You can also add your children who are not married
You can be eligible to get social security or medicare benefits, as well as federal benefits such as food stamps, assistance for families in need
You might serve in some branches of the US military

Your Responsibilities as a Green Card Holder

Staying outside of the United States for less than a year is normally acceptable, but longer trips may jeopardize your green card status

Benefits You Can Have as a US Citizen

You have the right to run for office in a public election
You can vote in elections (local, state and federal)
You can apply for visas for you relatives, including your sisters and brothers, and their immediate relatives
Your children who are born outside the US can get US citizenship too
You can enjoy visa-free travel to many countries with your US passport
You can seek assistance at a US embassy abroad
You can make a job application at certain federal agencies

Your Responsibilities as a US Citizen

When called to service, you must serve on a jury or in the military

Benefits for Both Green Card Holders and US Citizens

There are some mutual benefits for green card holders and US Citizens :

Are eligible to acquire/rent property in the US
Can get a driving license
Study in public schools and colleges
Open bank accounts
Apply for social security number

How To Get a Green Card: All You Need To Know Click to Read >

Responsibilities for Both Green Card Holders and US Citizens

The mutual responsibilities for green card holders and US Citizens include:

Filing income tax returns
Registering with the Selective Service (for males between the ages of 18-25)

	Green Card Holders	US Citizens
Freedom to travel anywhere in the US	No restrictions	No restrictions
Trips outside the US	Up to 364 days and up to two years (approval is required)	No restrictions
Validity	Unlimited / needs to be renewed every 10 years	Unlimited
Work restrictions	None	None
Eligibility to become a US citizen	Possible after five years	–
Social security pension	No restrictions	No restrictions
Voting right	Limited	No restrictions
Jury Duty	No	Yes
Military service	Only certain positions	Yes
Medicare	Available after five years	Yes
Access to university	No restrictions	No restrictions

Green Card to Citizenship

You can be eligible for US citizenship after getting your green card. However, there are certain criteria:

You’re at least 18 years old
Since you’ve received your green card, you have lived in the US for at least five years
You have spent at least 30 months of those five years in the US
From the time you submit Form N-400 until you become a US. citizen, you’ve lived in the United States continuously
You’ve spent at least three months in your state or district of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
You are able to read, write, and communicate in basic English.
You can pass a basic US history and government test
Your character reflects the US Constitution’s values

Note that these requirements might change for certain people, such as spouses or children of US citizens.

Green Card to Citizenship: Processing Time and Steps

As we’ve explained above, to be eligible for citizenship (naturalized) you need to have lived in the US for a certain period of time. After this, you can start your citizenship application.

The route to citizenship (naturalization) is a multi-step procedure that takes about 15 months on average.

The Application Process

Once you become eligible, you can start your application process by filling out Form N-400. You’ll also need to submit supporting documents that prove your eligibility from green card to citizenship.

Step 1: Your application is processed by USCIS. This takes around eight months.

Step 2: Attend the biometrics appointment while USCIS is processing your application.

Step 3: Complete the citizenship interview and exam.

Step 4: USCIS approves your application.

Step 5: You’ll take the Oath of Allegiance and be granted your Naturalization Certificate.

You can expect to get your US citizenship in between 12-18 months.