The United States is one of the world's largest immigrant-receiving countries, and most people have a "Green Card dream." So, what are the actual benefits of obtaining a Green Card after successfully immigrating to the U.S.? Today, we will introduce 22 benefits of a U.S. Green Card.
We know that a U.S. Green Card is a permanent residence permit for foreign citizens. Holding a Green Card means the holder has permanent residency in the United States and allows the entire family to enjoy the same benefits as legal permanent residents. When you obtain a "Green Card," you are making a wise, long-term decision for yourself, your immediate family, and your future generations. For those whose ancestors never had this opportunity, starting from your generation, you will permanently change your status and that of all your descendants. Your descendants will naturally possess U.S. citizenship and can, at any time, convert to other nationalities if they choose.
This is a freedom of being a "global citizen" and an invaluable capital asset. The following brief introduction is compiled based on relevant U.S. laws and policies:
1. Childbirth: Any child born in the U.S. to anyone (including those who entered illegally) is considered a U.S. citizen and holds a U.S. passport. There are no restrictions on the length of stay outside the U.S. for individuals of any age, allowing for lifelong free entry and exit. Upon taking the citizenship oath at age 18, they legally enjoy all rights and interests of a U.S. citizen, and at age 21, they can sponsor U.S. immigration for their spouses, children, and parents.
2. 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, institutions in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou currently charge over $30,000 USD per year for primary and secondary students studying abroad in the U.S.
When primary and secondary students new to the U.S. cannot keep up with regular courses, many places in the U.S. offer targeted English tutoring programs. There are full-time teachers available daily to tutor students until their English improves and they can keep up with regular coursework, with no additional fees.
3. University Tuition: When attending university (including master's and doctoral programs), residents pay local tuition rates. Taking California as an example, for a mid-tier California public university, international students pay over $20,000 USD in tuition per year, while "locals" only pay about $3,000 USD per year.
4. Scholarships: For ordinary Chinese citizens intending to apply for U.S. university scholarships, they can only compete with outstanding individuals from around the world for a very limited number of scholarships open to foreign nationals. However, for those with a Green Card, the range of scholarships they can access far exceeds what a foreigner can apply for.
Furthermore, their competitors are only local Americans, as many U.S. scholarship-granting institutions limit eligibility to "Americans" (including those with U.S. permanent residency).
5. Student Loans: Green Card holders over the age of 18 can apply for various student loans in the same year they receive their Green Card. For example, when attending an elite U.S. private university, tuition and living expenses can exceed $40,000 USD per year. When a Green Card holder wants to pursue a two-year master's degree, they can borrow $60,000 to $70,000 USD in one go.
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, usually 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.
6. 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.
7. Government Assistance in Job Hunting: The U.S. government has established specialized agencies in various locations to 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 for free. At the same time, these departments also provide free training in basic skills (such as computer skills, English, etc.) to assist job seekers in finding employment.
8. Employment Freedom: There are no restrictions on Green Card holders working 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 can shift from a "disadvantaged position" to an "advantaged position."
9. 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 our company successfully helped, her starting salary without a Green Card was $45,000 USD per year, but with a Green Card, her starting salary became $85,000 USD.
There was also an IT professional skilled in statistical software who had a salary of only $70,000 per year without a Green Card, but the same position offered $125,000 per year for someone with a Green Card.
10. Business Setup Incentives: Unlike many developing countries, foreign nationals face more restrictions when starting a company in the U.S., whereas locals (Green Card holders or citizens) can enjoy many preferential policies, such as company types, loans, taxes, and business projects.
11. 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). Carrying a Green Card and a "Re-entry Permit" allows for "global access." This gives you the maximum degree of freedom to plan your life and career on a global scale.
12. 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 company is considered a U.S. company, and joint ventures are considered Sino-U.S. joint ventures. Invested capital is treated as foreign investment, enjoying relevant preferential policies. If you encounter fraud while investing abroad, you can also seek coordination and resolution from the local U.S. Consulate.
U.S. Green Card holders may also enjoy other special privileges when doing business in China, depending on the region.
13. Project Funding: Many U.S. government and public fund projects require the executor or beneficiary to have "Green Card" status; as a "foreigner," one has no right to access them. For example, the San Francisco city government had a $500,000 USD budget to build an art sculpture by the sea. An outstanding Chinese sculptor's proposal was selected, but in the end, he could not accept the money because he did not have a "Green Card."
14. Retirement Benefits: After accumulating ten years of tax records in their lifetime (the minimum is about $50 USD in actual taxes paid per month), Green Card holders can receive a lifelong pension from the U.S. federal government after retirement (usually at age 65), ranging from $700 to $1,200 USD per month. For many immigrants, the number of years they receive a pension is greater than the number of years they worked and paid taxes.
15. Unemployment Benefits: If an applicant, their spouse, or even their children do not have a job after obtaining a Green Card, the government will help them find a job for free. If you become unemployed after having a regular income and paying taxes for no less than six months, you can report your unemployment to the relevant local U.S. department and complete the necessary procedures to receive monthly government relief payments (ranging from $600 to $1,200 USD per month).
16. Access to High-Level Healthcare: The level of medical care in the U.S. is arguably the highest in the world today. Many drugs not yet available in China are available in the U.S., and many surgeries that cannot be performed in China can be done in the U.S. (such as cosmetic surgery for severe burns). Many devices that have been phased out in the U.S. are still being used in China (for example, when the U.S. had already popularized the fourth generation of laser vision correction, China was just starting to use the second generation).
17. Loans: With a Green Card, you can easily obtain various loans from the government, banks, and other relevant institutions for buying cars and homes in the U.S. At the same time, the interest paid on mortgage loans for real estate can be used to deduct personal income tax.
18. Life Insurance and Funds: Green Card holders can enjoy certain life insurance and fund-linked insurance products that are not available in China and are exclusive to the U.S., 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.
19. Elderly Medical Insurance: Medical expenses in the U.S. are quite high, but any "low-income" Green Card holder (no tax record required) can apply for a "medical card" after retirement, which allows them to see a doctor for any illness without paying. This completely relieves the worries of elderly people suffering from illnesses. For those who do not fall into the low-income category, as long as they have accumulated ten years of tax records, they only need to pay a very small insurance premium after retirement, and the vast majority of medical expenses do not need to be covered out-of-pocket.
20. Housing Subsidies: Green Card holders can apply to purchase low-income senior housing after retirement. You can purchase your own home in the U.S., built with government subsidies, for about 35% of the market price. Those who cannot afford to buy a home can also apply for government low-rent housing at one-third to one-fourth of the market price.
21. Free Entertainment: Once qualified, you can apply to enter senior centers in various communities. Various entertainment, fitness, learning, and medical care programs at the centers are free of charge. Meals at the activity centers are also provided for free, and the shuttle bus that picks up and drops off seniors from home to the activity center is also free.
22. Government Subsidies: If a Green Card holder has not accumulated ten years of tax records before retirement, as long as they convert to U.S. citizenship, the government will provide direct living subsidies (over $600 USD per month, plus food stamps, etc.) after retirement (age 65).
