US Green Card benefits, yes, there are a number of advantages when you have one. In this article, we take a look at a few of them.
You can live in the USA and even work here for some time on a visa. However, if you plan on living here permanently, you should apply for a Green Card. A USA Green Card application is a must-have to put you on the route to citizenship.
Well, getting a Green Card may not be easy, but there are a number of benefits to having one. Here are some of the advantages.
Read: How To Transfer An O-1 Visa To Green Card
US Green Card Benefits – Why Go for It?
Below are the US Green Card benefits:
1 You Can Sponsor Your Relatives
There are many categories under which one may apply for a USA green card. A limited number of Green Cards are issued under each category. Hence, the key to increasing the chances of being awarded a Green Card is to apply in the right category.
If you are a Green Card holder, your immediate family can apply for permanent residency through the family-based Green Card category. This refers to your spouse, parents, and unmarried children. You can also sponsor your married children and siblings under the preference family category.
2 Lesser Paperwork
There are a number of limitations to the amount of time you can spend in the United States while on a visa. Visas can be renewed, but require considerable running around each time. There is also always a chance that your visa may not be renewed.
On the other hand, once you hold a Green Card, it must be renewed only once every 10 years. For this, all you need to do is submit the I-551 form to the USCIS six months before your Green Card expires. See, less paperwork indeed is one of the best US Green Card benefits
3 Easier Travel
Shorter trips in and out of America are much easier when you go for a USA green card application and get one, as compared to traveling with a visa. Some countries also offer a visa waiver for US Green Card holders. This includes: Canada
- Mexico
- Costa Rica
- Bermuda
- The Bahamas
- Cayman Islands
- Dominican Republic
- Jamaica
- US Virgin Islands
- The British Virgin Islands
However, if you plan to stay outside the USA for over six months, your intent to remain in the US permanently may be questioned. Similarly, if you stay outside the USA for over a year continuously, it may be assumed that you have abandoned America as your permanent home.
4 Cheaper Education
Tuition fees at colleges, vocational schools, and universities are considerably lower for Green Card holders than for immigrants with a visa. By proving permanent residency in a state, Green Card holders can also claim ‘in-state’ status while applying for their children’s school admission.
With this, you can save a considerable amount as compared to the admission fees payable for ‘out of state’ residents. In addition, financial aid is also available for Green Card holders.
5 More Job Possibilities
For an immigrant holding a work visa, job opportunities are limited. This is because your employer needs to sponsor your visa. However, if you have a Green Card, the job market opens up considerably. This is because a number of jobs are open only to US citizens or Green Card holders. Your employer will also not need to sponsor you and thus will be more open to hiring an immigrant.
6 Avail Social Security
You can work in the United States on a visa, but no matter how long you work, you will not be eligible for Social Security benefits. However, as a Green Card holder, you will be entitled to social security benefits after a certain time.
To be eligible, you must have worked continuously for 10 years in the United States. After this, when you retire, you will be eligible for the same retirement benefits as a US citizen. So, what are you waiting for? Apply today and reap US Green Card benefits.