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  • Green Card
    • Green Card Eligibility
      • Green Card for Employment-Based Immigrants
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      • Rights and Responsibilities of a Permanent Resident
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  4. Rights and Responsibilities of a Green Card Holder (Permanent Resident)

Rights and Responsibilities of a Green Card Holder (Permanent Resident)

Being a permanent resident means that you have new rights and responsibilities.

Your Rights as a Permanent Resident

As a permanent resident (Green Card holder), you have the right to:

  • Live permanently in the United States provided you do not commit any actions that would make you removable under immigration law
  • Work in the United States at any legal work of your qualification and choosing. (Please note that some jobs will be limited to U.S. citizens for security reasons)
  • Be protected by all laws of the United States, your state of residence and local jurisdictions

Your Responsibilities as a Permanent Resident

As a permanent resident, you are:

  • Required to obey all laws of the United States and localities;
  • Required to file your income tax returns and report your income to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and state taxing authorities;
  • Expected to support the democratic form of government (“support” does not include voting. Permanent residents cannot vote in federal, state, or local elections.); and
  • Required to register with the Selective Service, if you are a male age 18 through 25.

For more information, see the Maintaining Permanent Residence and International Travel as a Permanent Resident pages.

Related Links

More Information

  • Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants (PDF, 3.57 MB)
  • How Do I Get a Reentry Permit? (PDF, 667.32 KB)

Forms

  • Green Card Based Forms
  • I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card
  • I-131, Application for Travel Document

Other USCIS Links

  • Green Card Resources
  • How Do I Help My Relative Become a Lawful Permanent Resident? (PDF, 577.38 KB)
  • How Do I Renew or Replace My Permanent Resident Card? (PDF, 550.19 KB)
  • "How Do I" Guides for Permanent Residents

Non-USCIS Links

  • IRS: Taxation of Resident Aliens
Last Reviewed/Updated:
07/15/2015
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