According to Worldway comprehensive reports: U.S. Passport: Holding a U.S. passport means you are a U.S. citizen with U.S. nationality, enjoying all rights of a U.S. citizen, including the right to vote and the right to be elected. You can retain U.S. nationality even if you do not reside in the United States for your entire life. If a U.S. citizen does not have a passport (e.g., it was stolen) but can prove their U.S. nationality through other means (e.g., providing personal identification information), they are entitled to consular protection and entry into the United States as a citizen, even without a passport.
U.S. Green Card: A U.S. Green Card is a United States permanent resident card, an identity document used to prove that a foreign national has "permanent resident status" within the United States. It only signifies permanent resident status, not U.S. citizenship. If one does not reside in the United States for a long period, this Green Card may be lost. According to U.S. nationality and immigration law, Green Card holders are foreign nationals who do not possess U.S. nationality or citizenship. However, they generally enjoy the same treatment as U.S. nationals within the United States, except for the right to vote and the right to be elected.
When investing in U.S. immigration, obtaining a Green Card essentially provides the rights and benefits of a U.S. citizen. Compared to citizens holding a U.S. passport, the main difference for permanent residents holding a U.S. Green Card is the lack of the right to vote and the right to be elected. In addition, there are the following differences:
1. Due to visa-waiver agreements between the United States and many countries, U.S. citizens holding a U.S. passport can freely enter 172 countries without a visa, a convenience not available to permanent residents;
2. U.S. citizens holding a U.S. passport have no restrictions on the duration of their stay abroad, whereas permanent residents holding a U.S. Green Card who leave the United States for more than one year are considered to have automatically abandoned their intent to reside permanently, and the Green Card will become invalid;
3. Citizens holding a U.S. passport cannot be deported even if they commit crimes or illegal acts, but permanent residents do not have this exemption;
4. U.S. citizens holding a U.S. passport can apply for permanent resident status (i.e., a "Green Card") for their parents when they reach the age of 18;
5. U.S. citizens have more employment opportunities, as many sensitive departments and key positions, such as official military affairs, high-end technology, and core laboratories, are restricted to citizens;
6. If a U.S. permanent resident leaves the country for more than six months, pension payments may be terminated. If deported, the pension will be cancelled. U.S. citizens do not have this concern;
7. When living or traveling abroad, U.S. citizens holding a U.S. passport are protected by U.S. consulates. In the event of political instability or major disasters, U.S. citizens have the right to priority evacuation under the protection of the U.S. government.
▶ Investing in U.S. Immigration: What is the difference between a U.S. passport and a U.S. Green Card regarding travel between China and the U.S.?
Entering and leaving the United States:
According to U.S. immigration law, permanent residents must use a valid immigrant visa and a valid passport from their home country to enter the United States; otherwise, they will not be allowed entry. Once you have a U.S. Green Card, as long as you do not leave the United States for more than one year, the Green Card itself can serve as a valid immigrant visa for entry, and there is no need to apply for a separate visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate. If you leave the United States for more than one year, you must apply for a Reentry Permit before departure, which serves as a valid immigrant visa for entry. A Reentry Permit is valid for a maximum of two years. Cardholders who have not entered the United States for a certain period are likely to be judged as having lost their permanent resident status upon entry, as immigration law requires that a Green Card holder's departure from the United States must be temporary.
Entering and leaving China:
Many Chinese people hold a U.S. Green Card but still hold a Chinese passport and Chinese nationality. For these permanent residents with a U.S. Green Card, no visa is required to travel between China and the United States. However, those holding a U.S. passport must apply for and obtain a Chinese visa before entering China. The procedure is quite cumbersome and the fees are not low. If the visa expires or the number of entries is insufficient, a new visa must be applied for.
For those who frequently travel between China and the United States, holding a Green Card is more convenient. Green Card holders can apply for U.S. citizenship and a U.S. passport after residing in the U.S. for 3-5 years. However, since China does not recognize dual nationality, becoming a U.S. citizen means giving up Chinese nationality. Therefore, many people often choose to forgo the U.S. passport and retain their Green Card status specifically for the convenience of returning to China.
▶ Investing in U.S. Immigration: What are the requirements for a permanent resident to become a U.S. citizen?
1. Have held permanent resident status for five years or three years (for those who obtained a Green Card through marriage to a citizen);
2. Have been physically present in the U.S. for at least two and a half years out of the five-year period, or one and a half years out of the three-year period;
3. If you leave the United States for more than one year at any time during the five-year (or three-year) period, the previous period of residence will not count, and the residence time must be recalculated from the date of return to the U.S.;
4. Good moral character. Those who have committed serious crimes such as murder, robbery, gambling, tax evasion, drug trafficking, etc., cannot be naturalized. Minor offenses may be considered on a case-by-case basis for naturalization applications;
5. Pass the English and civics knowledge test.
Exceptions to the above:
1. Those over 50 years old with a Green Card for over 20 years, or those over 55 years old with a Green Card for over 15 years, may be exempt from the English test and can answer in their native language, provided they bring an interpreter;
2. Individuals with physical or mental learning disabilities who can provide a doctor's certificate explaining why they cannot learn English.
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Worldway Editor
