The main difference between a Green Card and a visa is, Green Card is a permanent residence permit that allows you to become a US citizen. In contrast, a Resident visa is a short-term permit issued for temporary visits. In the context of immigration to the United States, a Green Card and a Resident Visa refer to the same thing, means country has given an individual the legal status to live and work permanently in the United States. However, the terminologies (Green card and Resident visa) are used differently in different countries.
Green Card:
Having a Green Card allows you to live and work permanently in the United States. A Green Card is the common term used in the United States to refer to the Permanent Resident Card, which is a physical card in green color issued by the U.S. government as evidence of an immigrant’s legal permanent residency status. The steps you must take to apply for a Green Card will vary depending on your individual situation. It is like a special permission slip that allows someone from another country to live and work there permanently. Green card holders are officially known as Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs). Getting a green card mean you have the right to live in the United States.
You are not a citizen but you have most of the rights a US citizen has including work, study and travel in and out of US anytime freely. Green Card holders must obey US laws and pay taxes. They can also apply for U.S. citizenship after certain time period and meeting certain eligibility criteria. Green cards need to be renewed after every 10 years, but permanent residency does not expire until green card holder obey all the rules and follow all US laws.
2 most common ways to avail green card:
Family Sponsorship: If you have close or immediate family member having citizenship of US or ownership of green card residing in US, they can sponsor you if they want.
Employment: US Employer can sponsor you only if you have skills which they can’t find in any of US workforce. If they can prove there is no qualified US workers available for your job.
In simple words, a green card is a key to long-term residence in the US and allowing individuals to build a life and enjoy many of the rights of US citizen.
Resident Visa:
In some other Countries other than USA the term Resident visa is used to refer to the document that gives an individual permission to reside in a foreign country for an extended period of time. But In USA Resident Visa and green cards are referred in same context which is the permission given to live in the US permanently, and the official name for it in the US is the Green Card. So, whether you hear “Green Card” or “Resident Visa,” both mean the ability to make the United States your permanent residence. A resident visa permits individuals to live in a country for longer period of time. It is different from a tourist visa, which only allows person for short visits. To get a resident visa, individual usually needs a reason like job, family or investment in that country. To obtain a resident visa you need to meet certain criteria set by immigration authorities. Once you obtain a resident visa you can reside in the country legally and enjoy their major right which a normal US citizen enjoys like health and education facility. However, the privileges which resident visa holder enjoys vary from country to country. The validity of this visa can be from several months to years. This visa is ideal for people who wants to work, study or wish to live in foreign country with along with family. To obtain a Green Card in the United States is a significant step toward permanent residency and it leads to citizenship. It gives individuals more rights and benefits than a temporary resident visa. Green Card holders enjoy the stability of living in the U.S. without the limitations of a visa’s expiration date so they don’t have to worry about their visa status., and they have the freedom to enjoy various opportunities, including employment and education. The application process for a resident visa can be complex and time taking process which involves paperwork, background checks and sometimes interviews Aswell. It is very important to follow all the instructions and guide lies provided by respective country’s immigration authorities and make sure to meet all the mentioned requirements to increase the chance of approval of resident visa.