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

A green card and a visa are two different ways to provide legal status in the United States. Both provide permission to live and work in the United States. The primary difference between a green card and a visa is the length of time the permission to remain in the United States is valid. A visa is typically a short-term document, such as a tourist visa, that permits a person to enter the United States for a certain amount of time and for a specific purpose (e.g., tourism, business, school, etc.). On the other hand, a green card grants a person permanent residence in the United States. It is valid for years or even decades, depending upon the type of green card. In California, a visa allows a person to enter the United States for a specific purpose, such as to study, work, or visit family. A green card, on the other hand, allows a person to live permanently in the United States. Immigrants who are issued green cards can live in the U.S. without fear of deportation and can eventually apply for citizenship. Green cards are issued through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) after a successful application process. An applicant must meet certain criteria in order to qualify for a green card. Visas, on the other hand, are usually obtained from the U.S. Embassy by submitting an application. Applicants must demonstrate to the Embassy that they meet certain requirements in order to obtain a visa. In summary, a visa is a short-term document that permits a person to enter the United States for a certain amount of time, while a green card provides legal residence in the United States and a path to U.S. citizenship.

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La diferencia entre una tarjeta verde y una visa depende de la finalidad con la que el interesado la solicitará. Una tarjeta verde es usualmente utilizada para los inmigrantes que desean establecerse permanentemente en los Estados Unidos. Una vez que alguna persona obtiene una tarjeta verde, esta le otorga el derecho de vivir y trabajar de manera legal en el país. Por otro lado, una visa es un permiso temporal que otorga a las personas el derecho de entrar al país para fines específicos, por ejemplo para visitar, estudiar o trabajar. La duración de la visa depende de la clase de visa solicitada. Para obtener una visa, los solicitantes deben proporcionar evidencia de que sus intenciones son temporales y que cumplen con los requisitos de la ley de inmigración de Estados Unidos. La tarjeta verde le otorga el derecho a una persona de entrar y salir de los Estados Unidos con libertad y sin restricciones, mientras que el titular de una visa debe actualizar o obtener una renovación si desea permanecer en el país.

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

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