How is a Green Card different from citizenship?
A “Green Card” means that you have permanent residency in the United States. It allows you to live, work, pay taxes, and claim benefits. It does not allow you to vote or get a federal job. It is not permanent, either, despite the name. You need to spend a certain amount of time in the U.S., otherwise you risk losing it. The specific period of time required is subject to change, but if you plan on leaving the country for more than a vacation, be sure to check into it. If you have been married for less than two years, then your Green Card is conditional. Once you have been in the conditional status for two years, you need to file form I-751, Joint Petition to Remove Conditional Basis of Alien’s Permanent Resident’s Status, during the 90-day period BEFORE the second anniversary of the date you were granted conditional permanent resident status.
