What is the difference between a green card and a visa?

The primary difference between a green card and a visa is that a green card grants an individual the right to live and work permanently in the United States, while a visa is merely permission to temporarily enter the United States. A green card, also known as a permanent resident card, allows an individual to apply for federal benefits such as social security, health benefits, and protection from deportation. It also grants an individual the ability to travel in and out of the United States for up to six months. A green card holder may stay in the US indefinitely and may eventually become eligible for US citizenship. A visa, on the other hand, provides authorization to temporarily enter the United States for a certain length of time. Depending on the type of visa, the holder may be able to apply for asylee and refugee status, as well as various types of temporary employment. Depending on the type of visa, they may also be able to change their status while in the US. In California, the most common type of visa granted to immigrants is the family visa, which allows immigrants with family members who are US citizens to legally enter the United States. Family visas are processed based on the family relationship, and the individual must prove that the family relationship is valid and that the family is willing to support them financially. Finally, though both visas and green cards are important documents for immigration, green cards are the only documents which allow immigrants to remain in the United States indefinitely and eventually apply for US citizenship, as well as providing long-term benefits to immigrants.

THELAW.TV ofrece respuestas en español a todas las preguntas sobre la ley de inmigración.

La diferencia entre una tarjeta verde y una visa es que una tarjeta verde es un documento que otorga a un extranjero el estado de residencia permanente en los Estados Unidos. Esta tarjeta da a un extranjero los mismos derechos y privilegios que un ciudadano de los Estados Unidos. Por otro lado, una visa es un documento temporal que otorga a un extranjero el permiso de entrar temporalmente a los Estados Unidos. Estas visas son específicas para determinadas actividades temporales como el trabajo, la educación, el turismo, la visita familiar, etc. Una tarjeta verde le permite al extranjero trabajar en los Estados Unidos indefinidamente, mientras que una visa generalmente tiene una fecha de caducidad. Cuando una visa caduca, el titular debe dejar el país, solicitar una extensión o cambiar su estatus a una tarjeta verde para poder seguir viviendo en Estados Unidos.

Related FAQs

Do I need an attorney to help me with the immigration process?
What is the process for a child to become a US citizen?
How can I get a waiver of inadmissibility?
What is the process for applying for a re-entry permit?
What is a U visa?
What rights do US citizens have that non-citizens do not have?
What is the process for a spouse to become a US citizen?
What are the rights of someone in immigration court?
What is the process for applying for a T visa?
What is a conditional permanent resident status?

What is the difference between a green card and a visa?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts