How to maintain American green card status?

Effective ways to maintain green card status, and how to avoid common mistakes and take preventive measures.

I. Temporary Chapter of Green Card

When entering the United States with an immigrant visa, immigration officials will stamp their passports as temporary proof of permanent resident status. When I-485 is approved, the same signature will be obtained at the local office of the Immigration Bureau. The temporary green card signature can be used for work or overseas travel and is valid for 1 year. You can apply for an extension until you receive a real green card by mail.

At some international airports, immigration inspectors at entry points will ask immigrants with temporary green card signatures for further verification. Therefore, it is best to carry a copy of the application form for immigrant visa (I- 130 or I- 140) with you.

Second, always carry your documents with you.

American law stipulates that "every foreigner over the age of 65,438+08 must carry identification with him." This is particularly important in the post-9/ 1 1 era, because it will be inspected by many law enforcement departments, such as traveling in China or violating traffic laws.

Third, change the address.

The change of address must be notified to the Immigration Bureau within 10 days.

Fourth, retain the permanent residency in the United States.

If you expect to stay abroad for more than 1 year, you should apply for re-entry permit in advance, and the re-entry permit is valid for 2 years. If you can't return to the United States before the re-entry permit expires, or you don't apply for a re-entry permit before you leave the United States, but stay outside the United States for more than 1 year, you may get a "Returning Resident Visa" (SB- 1) for special immigrants in the State Council.

Verb (abbreviation of verb) military service registration (selective service registration)

If it is a male between 19 and 25 years old, he must register with military service registration Bureau.

Six, tax returns (tax returns)

As a permanent resident, you must report your income tax to the IRS and, if necessary, to the state, city or local tax authorities. If you have lived outside the United States for any period of time without reporting income tax, or declare yourself as a "non-resident" in the tax return, the United States government may think that you have given up your permanent resident status.

Tax filing is a very complicated matter. It is best to consult an accountant who knows both the tax laws of the United States and the tax laws of the country where you live overseas.

Don't call yourself an American citizen.

When stopped by law enforcement officers, if you are not an American citizen, please don't claim to be, otherwise it will constitute a crime. If convicted, they may be deported and lose their green card status.

Eight, the right to vote

Permanent residents can only vote in some state or local elections that do not require voters to be American citizens. If you are not an American citizen, please do not participate in national or local elections that require voters to be American citizens, or you will be punished by criminal law.

9. Handling immigration for relatives.

As a green card resident, you can apply for immigration for some relatives and let them come to the United States to live permanently together.

X. Renewal of green card

At present, the green card is valid for 10 years. You should apply for a new one six months before or six months after the expiration of the green card. If the green card is lost, stolen or destroyed, you should apply for a replacement green card. If your child is over 14 years old, you should also apply for a new green card unless the previous green card will expire before 16 years old.

XI。 social security card

After entering the United States with an immigrant visa, the first thing to do is to apply for a social security card. Social security numbers will be used for life. Therefore, it is necessary to properly keep the social security card and take it with you when traveling abroad.

Twelve. Work authorization

No matter permanent residents, conditional permanent residents or residents with temporary green card signatures, they can legally work in the United States. However, for security reasons, some jobs are only allowed for American citizens.

Thirteen, stay outside the United States for a long time

Generally speaking, 1 year, staying abroad for less than 6 months, there will be no problem. If you stay abroad for more than 6 months and less than 1 year, the Immigration Bureau will think that you have the intention to give up your permanent resident status. In practice, the immigration authorities may not find out, but once they find out that they don't actually live in the United States, they will expel them.

Fourteen commit a crime

As a permanent resident, if a crime is committed, it will not only be punished by criminal law, but also bring immigration consequences. I will be tried by an immigration judge, and my legal status in the United States will be affected. I may lose my green card, which may also have a serious impact on my future application for naturalization.

15. Conditional Residents

Conditional permanent resident green card is valid for 2 years and cannot be renewed. Therefore, if you want to maintain your permanent resident status, you must submit "I-75 1 Application Form for Termination of Residence Conditions" or "I-829 Application Form for Termination of Residence Conditions for Small Enterprises" within 90 days before the expiration of the conditional permanent resident green card. If you don't do this, you may lose your permanent resident status.

Sixteen. others

Please put the important documents brought from the country of birth in a safe place. These documents include passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce certificates, high school or university diplomas and certificates proving special training or skills.

Seventeen. convenience

Getting a green card in the United States is actually getting visas from some countries, which is very useful for helping holders enter some sovereign countries. If green card holders visit Caribbean island countries such as Mexico, Switzerland, Dominica and Jamaica, they do not need a visa to visit the country directly. In addition, green card holders can enter South Korea without a visa. These are the conveniences enjoyed by American green card holders. However, the US green card is not very equal in the part of mutual visits between the two countries. American green card holders do not need a visa to enter Canada, but Canadian green card holders are not free to enter the United States without a visa.