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

A visa and a green card are documents related to immigration, but they are different. A visa is a document that allows a foreign citizen to enter the United States temporarily. It is usually issued for a specific purpose, such as for tourism, business, study, or temporary work. Visas typically have an expiration date and must be renewed regularly. A green card, also known as a permanent resident card, is a form of identification for someone who is a permanent resident of the United States. It gives the holder the right to live and work in the U.S. indefinitely, and can eventually lead to citizenship. To obtain a green card, an individual must usually go through a process involving paperwork, an application fee, and an interview. In Massachusetts, visas and green cards are issued and regulated by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It is important to note that possessing a valid visa does not automatically qualify a foreign citizen for permanent residency. A visa is only a temporary permission to enter the U.S. and an individual must meet other qualifications to be eligible to apply for a green card.

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La diferencia entre una visa y una tarjeta verde es significativa para cualquier inmigrante que busca vivir y trabajar en el estado de Massachusetts. Una visa es un documento emitido por un gobierno extranjero que le permite a una persona entrar temporalmente en el estado. Las visas pueden ser de turismo, estudiante, trabajo temporal, inversiones extranjeras, etc. Las visas son de corta duración y se vencen una vez que la persona sale del estado. Por el contrario, una tarjeta verde es un documento de residencia permanente emitido por los Estados Unidos. Esta tarjeta garantiza permisos de trabajo e inmigración en el estado. Los titulares de tarjetas verdes también son elegibles para licencias de conducir, tarjetas de seguro social y beneficios públicos, como el Medicaid. Además, los titulares de tarjetas verdes pueden aplicar para la ciudadanía de los Estados Unidos después de cinco años de residencia permanente. En resumen, una visa es un documento temporal y una tarjeta verde un documento de residencia permanente.

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

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