Office of International
Students & Scholars
International Center
421 Temple Street
New Haven, CT 06511
USA

Phone: 203.432.2305
Fax: 203.432.7166
email: oiss@yale.edu

U.S. Permanent Residence

What is permanent resident status?

There are a few terms used to describe legal permanent residency in the United States. The terms immigrant, green card holder, legal permanent resident, resident alien all mean that the person has permission from immigration to reside in the US permanently. The official name is Lawful Permanent Resident (which we will refer to as LPR) status. Persons who hold LPR status may remain in the U.S. permanently and live and work wherever they wish. Obtaining LPR status has no effect on current citizenship, and LPR holders need to maintain a valid home country passport at all times.  In general LPRs have the some of the same rights, privileges, and responsibilities as U.S. citizens. LPRs may buy and sell property, own and operate businesses, and may be drafted into the military if a draft is in effect. LPRs may not vote in government elections, nor serve on juries at trials, nor hold some elected offices or government jobs.  Persons holding LPR status for five years (in some instances three) may become eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship. To learn more about US citizenship, go here.

How to become a LPR

There are several general eligibility categories for LPR status, the most common being:

  • Family-based: Close family relationship to a U.S. citizen or LPR.
  • Employment-based: Having education, skills, or talents that are in demand in the U.S.
  • Refugee or Asylee based: Having a well-founded fear of persecution if one returns to the home country.
  • The Diversity Lottery: An annual lottery of select underserved countries.
  • Investors
  • Special Acts of Congress:  Laws that change or make exceptions to the standard procedures for certain persons or groups of people.

For details on each of these categories from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) go here.