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

A green card and a visa are both documents that allow immigrants to legally live and work in the United States. However, they have different requirements and serve different purposes. A green card grants an immigrant permanent lawful status in the United States and the right to live and work here without restriction. In Washington, family-sponsored immigrants, including spouses and children, may apply for green cards, which are also known as lawful permanent resident cards. To obtain a green card, immigrants must go through a lengthy process that includes completing an application form, submitting supporting documents, and attending an interview. A visa is a document that allows a foreign national to enter the United States for a temporary period of time. A visa can be issued for a variety of purposes, including but not limited to business, travel, education, or employment. In the state of Washington, family-sponsored immigrants can apply for visas to live and work in the United States. Depending on the type of visa, immigrants may be eligible to receive work authorization and other rights. In Washington, family-sponsored immigrants must apply for either a green card or visa in order to stay and work in the United States. It’s important to understand the differences between the two documents because different requirements and processes apply to each.

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La diferencia entre una tarjeta verde y una visa es básicamente el propósito para el cual se otorgan. Una tarjeta verde es un documento de residencia permanente que permite a un extranjero vivir y trabajar en los Estados Unidos de forma indefinida, mientras que una visa es un documento temporal para un extranjero para ingresar temporalmente al país. La tarjeta verde es para aquellos que desean convertirse en ciudadanos permanentes de los Estados Unidos. Si obtiene una tarjeta verde, se le otorgará una tarjeta de identificación de residente permanente, también conocida como tarjeta verde. Se le otorgará un número de Seguro Social, así como también se le permitirá trabajar legalmente en los Estados Unidos. Una visa, por otro lado, es un documento temporal que solo permite a un extranjero ingresar al país durante un corto período de tiempo. Las visas más comunes son visas de visitantes, visas de trabajo, visas de estudiantes, visas de turismo, visas de inversionistas y visas de inmigrantes. Estos documentos también se conocen como visas de no inmigrante. Una visa no otorga un estado legal permanente y, generalmente, solo permite al extranjero permanecer en Estados Unidos durante un período específico de tiempo.

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