Getting your green card is a huge step toward building your future in the United States. But with this opportunity comes responsibility. This guide will help you understand what to expect — and what to avoid — after you’ve received your green card.
This information is not a substitute for legal advice from a qualified attorney or accredited representative. The content was last updated July 2025.
Understanding and maintaining your legal status
As a green card holder, you now have the legal right to live and work in the U.S. indefinitely. But the government can rescind your permanent residency if you violate certain rules.
One of the most important responsibilities for a green card holder is maintaining a physical presence in the U.S. If you leave the country for more than six months at a time, you may face extra questioning upon your return. If you’re gone for over a year without first applying for a Reentry Permit, immigration officials may consider your status “abandoned.”
Also, remember to renew your green card. Most are valid for ten years, and you should apply to renew it about six months before expiration. If your card is conditional (valid for only two years, typically in cases of marriage to a U.S. citizen), you must file a petition to remove the conditions within 90 days before it expires. Missing this deadline could result in you losing your status.
Don’t forget to notify USCIS if you move. This seems obvious, but it’s often overlooked. By law, you’re required to update your home address within 10 days of moving using Form AR-11, which can be done online. Keeping your information up to date protects you from missing important notices that could affect your immigration record.
Each permanent resident is required to have a Social Security Number (SSN). If you requested a SSN when applying for your green card, the Department of Homeland Security will forward your information to the Social Security Administration. There’s no need to apply separately or visit an SSA office.
If you already have an SSN, a replacement card will be sent to the same U.S. address as your green card. However, if you didn’t request an SSN with your application, you’ll need to visit a Social Security office and apply once you have a permanent address.
Taxes and financial obligations with a green card
Green card holders are considered U.S. tax residents, even if you spend time abroad or earn money in another country. That means you must file a U.S. tax return each year and report your worldwide income to the IRS. Failing to do so is a serious mistake and can affect future applications for citizenship or family sponsorship.
If you hold financial assets in foreign accounts and the total exceeds a certain threshold, you may also be required to file an FBAR (FinCEN 114) and Form 8938 (FATCA). Failing to meet your tax obligations could negatively affect your future applications for citizenship or family sponsorship. If you’re unsure about your tax situation, especially if you have income or property outside the U.S., consult a tax professional familiar with immigrant finances.
These are several IRS-approved hotlines that can help answer your questions about reporting your financial accounts.
Paying your taxes on time is a foundational part of establishing “good moral character” — a requirement for U.S. naturalization later on. Immigration authorities take unpaid taxes very seriously.
Also Read: Good Moral Character for U.S. Citizenship: What it Means
Staying compliant when leaving the U.S. with a green card
Your green card allows you to travel in and out of the U.S., but international travel must be handled with care. Each time you return, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB) has the authority to question your intentions and review your travel history.
If you plan to be outside the U.S. for more than six months, bring proof that you still have strong ties to the country. For trips lasting over a year, you must apply for a Reentry Permit before you leave. In any case of extended travel, it’s wise to carry documentation, such as a lease, job letter, or evidence of close family in the U.S., showing that your life remains based here.
Also Read: Reentry Permits for Green Card Holders Who Travel Outside the U.S.
In addition to the duration of your trip, your country of origin or the countries you visit can also affect how CBP evaluates your reentry. Green card holders traveling from certain countries, especially those with tense diplomatic relations with the U.S. or those under heightened security scrutiny, may face increased questioning at the border.
These countries include, but are not limited to, Iran, Syria, North Korea, Cuba, Afghanistan, Somalia, Yemen, Libya, and Sudan. Travel to or from these nations doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be denied reentry, but it can raise red flags that prompt CBP to look more closely at your case. This “travel ban” list is changing often under Trump.
Furthermore, frequent or prolonged travel outside the U.S. that appears inconsistent with maintaining a permanent U.S. residence can raise concerns about whether you are genuinely residing in the U.S.
Additionally, lawful permanent residents who obtained their green cards through asylum may risk their status if they return to the country from which they sought protection. Doing so could be viewed as contradicting their original claim of fear or persecution.
To protect your green card status, it is best to keep international travel brief whenever possible. If extended travel is necessary, plan ahead, maintain strong ties to the U.S., and document your intent to reside permanently in the country. Doing so helps ensure smoother reentry and safeguards your status as a lawful permanent resident.
Also Read: Is It Still Safe for Green Card Holders to Travel Under Trump?
Legal obligations, public behavior, and civic duties
As a permanent resident, you are expected to follow all federal, state, and local laws. Even minor criminal offenses, like a DUI, shoplifting, or marijuana possession, can put your green card at risk and may even trigger deportation proceedings. Arrests, even without convictions, can have serious immigration consequences.
Additionally, if you are a male between the ages of 18 and 25, you are legally required to register with the Selective Service System. You can register online at www.sss.gov.
Also, keep in mind that your social media and online activity can be reviewed by immigration officers. These officers are looking for anything that could be interpreted as supporting criminal activity, violence, extremist behavior or a threat to national security or national policy.
Legal experts are sounding the alarm bells against the latest moves by the federal government to pursue denaturalizations against American citizens, including opponents of Trump, Documented writes.
Also Read: As Trump Seeks to Denaturalize U.S. Citizens, Legal Experts Sound Alarm Bells
Public charge rule: Understanding government benefits
The public charge rule is a part of immigration law that assesses whether a person is likely to become primarily dependent on the government for support. While the strictest version of this rule was rescinded in 2021, it’s still important to understand how your use of public benefits may affect future immigration applications.
As a green card holder, you can use some public programs, like emergency Medicaid, disaster relief, or assistance programs such as Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Women, Infants, Children (WIC).
Also Read: 5 Myths About Public Charge Rules
If you use benefits for a short time during an emergency, that won’t cause problems. Still, if you’re not sure whether it’s safe to apply for a benefit, it’s a good idea to talk to an immigration lawyer or a trusted legal aid group.
