Obtaining a U.S. Green Card is a long-term decision for yourself and all your immediate family members, as well as for your future generations. For those whose ancestors never had such an opportunity, this marks the beginning of a permanent change in status for you and all your descendants. Future generations will naturally possess U.S. citizenship and can choose to change their nationality whenever they wish. Furthermore, holding a U.S. Green Card offers a wide range of benefits.
Birth of Children
Any child born in the United States to any person (including those who entered illegally) is considered a U.S. citizen and holds a U.S. passport. Regardless of age, they are not restricted in their stay outside the U.S. and can enter and exit the country freely for life. Upon taking the citizenship oath at age 18, they legally enjoy all rights of a U.S. citizen, and at age 21, they can sponsor their spouse, children, and parents for U.S. immigration.
Primary and Secondary School Tuition
Before the age of 18, all primary and secondary education in the U.S. is compulsory and tuition-free (excluding "elite" or private boarding schools). In contrast, international students studying in the U.S. typically pay over $30,000 per year. When newly arrived students struggle to keep up with regular coursework, schools in many U.S. cities provide targeted English tutoring. Full-time teachers provide daily tutoring until the student's English improves enough to keep up with regular classes, with no additional fees charged for this service.
University Tuition
University students (including graduate and doctoral students) only pay local tuition rates. Taking California as an example, at a mid-tier public university in California, international students pay over $20,000 in tuition per year, while "locals" only pay a little over $3,000 per year.
Scholarships
For ordinary individuals intending to apply for U.S. university scholarships, they must compete with outstanding candidates from all over the world for a very limited number of scholarships open to foreign nationals. However, for Green Card holders, the range of scholarships available is far greater than what a foreigner can apply for, and their competitors are only local U.S. residents. This is because many U.S. scholarship-granting institutions limit their awards to "Americans" (including those with U.S. permanent residency).
Student Loans
Green Card holders over the age of 18 can apply for various types of student loans in the same year they receive their Green Card. For example, when attending a top U.S. private university, annual tuition and living expenses can exceed $40,000. If a Green Card holder wants to pursue a two-year master's degree, they can borrow $60,000 to $70,000 in one lump sum. If they cannot find a job after graduation, they do not have to repay the loan; once they find a job, they repay it in installments over the years, typically using only one-fifth to one-tenth of their monthly salary. In the U.S., national policy ensures that no one is unable to attend school due to financial difficulties.
Benefits for Immediate Family
After a Green Card holder marries a foreign national, they can apply for a Green Card for their spouse and their spouse's unmarried children under the age of 21.
Government Assistance in Finding Employment
The U.S. government has specialized agencies in various locations that help citizens find jobs for free. Green Card holders only need to register their skills, expertise, and interests at these departments, and they will help the registrant find a job at no cost. At the same time, these departments also provide free training in basic skills (such as computer literacy, English, etc.) to assist job seekers in finding employment.
Employment Freedom
Green Card holders are not restricted in their employment in the U.S. To protect the interests of its own citizens, many jobs in the U.S. (such as high-tech, biochemical, military research, production, and security work) are not open to foreigners, even if they possess the corresponding knowledge and expertise. This situation puts foreign students at a significant disadvantage when competing for jobs after graduation. Green Card holders, however, do not need to worry about this, as they shift from a "disadvantaged" position to an "advantaged" one.
Change in Labor Value
The value of talent with the same skills in the U.S. labor market differs significantly depending on whether or not they have a "Green Card," with the gap ranging from 50% to several hundred percent.
For example, for a coach successfully placed by our company, her starting salary without a Green Card was $45,000 per year, but with a Green Card, her starting salary became $85,000. Another IT professional skilled in statistical software had a salary of only $70,000 per year without a Green Card, while the same position offered $125,000 per year to someone with a Green Card.
Preferential Treatment for Starting a Business
Unlike many developing countries, foreign nationals in the U.S. face more restrictions when starting a business, whereas locals (Green Card holders or citizens) can enjoy many preferential policies, such as those regarding company types, loans, taxes, and business projects.
Traveling the World
U.S. Green Card holders can avoid the hassle of visa rejections in the vast majority of countries worldwide (almost all European and American countries). By holding a Green Card and a "Re-entry Permit," you can achieve "global access." This allows you to enjoy maximum freedom in planning your life and career on a global scale.
Investing Back Home
Upon receiving a U.S. Green Card, you are considered an overseas Chinese by the Chinese government. When returning to China to register a company, the business is treated as a U.S. company or a joint venture, and the invested capital is considered foreign investment, which enjoys relevant preferential policies. If you encounter fraud while investing abroad, you can also seek assistance from the local U.S. consulate.
U.S. Green Card holders may also enjoy other privileges depending on the region.
Project Funding
Many government and public fund projects in the U.S. require the executor or beneficiary to have "Green Card" status. As a "foreigner," one is not entitled to these benefits.
For example, the San Francisco city government had a $500,000 budget to build an art sculpture by the seaside. A proposal from an outstanding Chinese sculptor was selected, but in the end, he could not accept the funds because he did not have a "Green Card."
Retirement Benefits
After accumulating ten years of tax records in their lifetime (the minimum requirement is a monthly tax payment of about $50), Green Card holders can receive a lifelong pension from the U.S. federal government (ranging from $700 to $1,200 per month) after retirement (usually at age 65). For many immigrants, the number of years they receive a pension is greater than the number of years they worked and paid taxes.
Unemployment Benefits
If the applicant, their spouse, or even their children are unemployed after obtaining a Green Card, the government will help them find a job for free. After having a regular income and paying taxes for no less than six months, if you become unemployed, you can go to the relevant local U.S. department to report your unemployment and complete the necessary procedures to receive monthly government relief payments (ranging from $600 to $1,200 per month).
Access to High-Level Medical Care
The level of medical care in the U.S. is the highest in the world today. Many drugs not yet available elsewhere are available in the U.S., and many surgeries that cannot be performed elsewhere can be done in the U.S.
Loans
With a Green Card, you can easily obtain various types of loans from the government, banks, and other relevant institutions for buying cars or homes in the U.S. At the same time, the interest portion of annual mortgage payments for real estate can be used to deduct personal income tax.
Life Insurance and Funds
Green Card holders can enjoy certain life insurance and fund-linked insurance products that are only available in the U.S. and not in China, allowing them to have more income after retirement. You can also obtain high-coverage insurance with premiums that are much lower than those in China.
Housing Subsidies
After retirement, Green Card holders can apply to purchase low-income senior housing. You can purchase a home built with government subsidies in the U.S. for about 35% of the market price. Those who cannot afford to buy a home can also apply for government low-rent housing at 1/3 to 1/4 of the market price.
Free Entertainment
Once eligible, you can apply to enter senior centers in various communities. Various recreational activities, fitness, learning, and medical care programs at these centers are free of charge; meals at the activity centers are also provided for free, and the shuttle service from home to the activity center is also free.
Government Subsidies
If a Green Card holder has not accumulated ten years of tax records before retirement, as long as they become a U.S. citizen, the government will provide a direct living subsidy (over $600 per month) after retirement (age 65).