In the spring the results of the Diversity Immigrant Visa 2019 (DV-lottery), better known as Green Card. Every year more and more foreigners are willing to take a chance and participate in it, to win a green card. But why so many strive to be its owner, and how to understand the difference between visa and green card?
If you have issued a us visa through the Embassy, then you have a chance to enter the United States. Final decision made by the officer of customs and border protection (U. S. Customs and Border Protection — CBP). However, if you have already obtained a visa, then it usually means that you will not interfere when entering the country.
In turn, gRin card is a slang word that basically refers to the ID in the form of a plastic card you get, becoming a lawful permanent resident of the United States. If you are the owner of a green card, you have the opportunity to legally live and work in America.
There are 5 basic ways to obtain a green card:
the DV lottery.
marriage to a U.S. citizen;
family reunification;
having a job when applying for a U.S. employer;
through asylum or refugee status.
The main thing — to understand that the U.S. resident is not a citizen. He has no vote and can be deported if convicted of certain crimes or violations.
After a set period of time (usually five years), permanent residents can apply for U.S. citizenship.
A green card is not a tourist visa
Do not think that a green card can be equated to a pass for travel. Foreigners often are mistaken, assuming that this card allows unlimited travel across the United States. As a result, some family members of Americans apply for a green card, although going to live in another country. The U.S. government can eventually accuse you of cheating and deny the permit. This means that you have officially abandoned permanent resident status in America.
If you want to ensure that the United States has become your main and permanent place of residence, then you have to re-apply for a green card.
Summing up all the above, we can say that the main difference between visa and green card is that in the first case, you have the right to temporarily stay on the territory of the United States, but with residence you become a permanent resident.
