A Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR), also commonly called a green card holder in the United States, is a foreign national who has been granted the right to permanently reside and work in a country where they are not citizens. This status allows individuals to live indefinitely within the country’s borders while still retaining the citizenship of their country of origin.
LPRs enjoy a wide range of rights and privileges in the host country, nearly all of which are the same as those of citizens. They can legally work at any job, own property, receive financial assistance and social services, and freely travel in and out of the country. However, a few exceptions exist, such as the inability to participate in federal elections or hold certain government positions.
Obtaining LPR status is a process that typically involves meeting specific criteria set forth by a country’s immigration laws. This can be achieved through various paths, such as family-based immigration, employment-based immigration, or being admitted as a refugee or asylee. The process often requires extensive documentation and background checks, so it’s important to be prepared.
Once granted, LPR status is renewable indefinitely, provided the resident does not abandon their permanent home or violate the terms of their residency. After meeting specific residency requirements, LPRs may be eligible to apply for naturalization, granting them full citizenship rights and privileges.
Lawful Permanent Resident status represents one of the highest immigration benefits, conferring the right to establish a permanent residence and life in the host country.