After your green card is granted.
Permanent residence comes with rights — and a few responsibilities. Here's what to keep in mind once you have your card.
Traveling abroad
Permanent residents can travel, but extended trips can raise questions about whether you've abandoned residence. Trips approaching or exceeding six months draw scrutiny; a year or more is a serious risk. If you'll be abroad long-term, a re-entry permit (Form I-131) may be appropriate — and INA 319(b) may even be a path to expedited citizenship if your spouse is a U.S. citizen working abroad.
Working and taxes
Your green card itself proves your right to work. As a permanent resident you're also a U.S. tax resident and generally must file U.S. taxes on worldwide income. Tax filing also matters later for naturalization.
Keep your address current
You must notify USCIS within 10 days of any move. See our address-change guide for exactly how.
Maintaining and renewing
A standard green card is valid for ten years and is renewed with Form I-90. A conditional (two-year) card requires Form I-751 to remove conditions — see conditional residence.
The path to citizenship
Most permanent residents can naturalize after five years (or three if married to and living with the same U.S. citizen). See naturalization. For the official overview, see USCIS: after we grant your green card.
Questions about keeping your status?
Free consultation with a U.S. immigration attorney.