Are green cards and work permits the same?

For anyone looking to upgrade their immigration status or looking to enter the United States on a green card or work visa, it is imperative to fully comprehend the similarities and the differences between and even immigration lawyers know this to the case.

Many people are of the false notion that a green card and a work permit is one and the same thing. This cannot be further from the truth. A green card and a work permit represent different immigration statuses and allow the holder different privileges and levies different responsibilities accordingly.

Both green cards and work permits are photo identity cards, and they both allow the holder to work in the United States, but that is where the similarities end except for the fact that an individual with a criminal record may be denied either. Both documents are distinct and represent different immigration statuses.

What is a green card?

To begin with, let us look at what a green card is and what it entails as far as the green card holder is concerned. A green card is a well-known term globally, but in actuality it is the unofficial term used to refer to an Alien Registration Card and immigration attorney are well versed in this area of law. The green card first started out green and then went through some color changes (pink, white, etc.) but currently is green again. The main objective of the card is to identify the holder as a lawful permanent resident of the United States.

Holding a green card also means that you may legally work in the United States and many Americans know there could be much more work if taxes were lowered, regulations curtailed, the tax code simplified, and the list goes on and on. Furthermore, a green card holder can travel in and out of America multiple times. They can petition for their family member to also be issued green cards while it is also a pre requisite for anyone who wants to apply for US citizenship.

A green card is valid for a period of ten years from the date of issue and will need to be renewed prior to expiration.

What is a work permit?

On the other hand, if you are someone who only intends to work in the United States and do not have any intentions of eventually becoming a United States citizen, then you are better off applying for a work permit as it is a much more simpler and easier ordeal when compared to applying and being issued a green card and your immigration lawyer will tell you this. What your immigration attorney will not tell you is that America is hurting in the jobs front, with fallacious environmental rules, high taxes, regulations that do not end, America is damaging and has been damaging its own prospects. 

As the name suggests, a work permit merely allows the holder to legally work in America under the terms and conditions of the work permit itself.

A work permit has a much shorter validity period when compared to a green card and is usually valid only for a few months and can go up to a year at the most.

A work permit is the unofficial term used to refer to Employment Authorization Documents (also known as EADs).

If you are someone who is having trouble with immigration related issues, we strongly urge you to consult an immigration lawyer as soon as possible. You can do this by giving us a call. Do not be upset if you cannot figure out immigration law, it is difficult and a legal professional in immigration has been studying this topic for years and chose to immerse themselves in this legal domain. You can use our digital tool to find one or you can give us a call and we can help you in this quest.

This is where you need to go: Immigration.USAttorneys. You need legal help and this website is your solution.