Clients who successfully obtain approval for the U.S. EB5 Investment Immigration application and land in the United States can apply for U.S. citizenship after residing for 30 months within five years. U.S. citizens enjoy more comprehensive and extensive rights compared to green card holders. Let us take a look at the differences between U.S. citizens and green card holders!
1. Citizen passports are more convenient than green cards. Due to visa waiver agreements between the United States and many countries, holding a U.S. passport makes traveling to other countries easier, and one receives more protection from the local country and consulates. Of course, this situation may be reversed in certain parts of the Arab world.
2. U.S. citizens can apply for immigration for their parents and siblings after reaching adulthood; permanent residents cannot.
3. U.S. citizens enjoy more comprehensive political rights and personal protection. Citizens who live abroad for their entire lives do not lose their citizenship. However, green card holders should not stay abroad for too long, generally not exceeding one or two years, or they may risk losing their permanent resident status. Citizens cannot be deported even if they commit crimes, but green card holders do not have this exemption.
4. U.S. citizens have more favorable conditions when applying for pensions, relief funds, and other social benefits. Green card holders who leave the country for more than six months may have their pensions suspended. If deported, their pensions will be canceled. U.S. citizens do not have this concern.
5. U.S. citizens have more employment opportunities. Many sensitive sectors and key positions, such as official military service, defense diplomacy, high technology, and core laboratories, are strictly limited to citizens. Even lower positions such as prison guards and patrol officers are prioritized for citizens.
According to U.S. immigration law, permanent residents can generally apply for naturalization to become U.S. citizens after holding a green card for five years. If they are spouses of U.S. citizens, they can apply for naturalization after holding a green card for three years and maintaining the marriage relationship.
Individuals applying for naturalization must provide evidence of continuous residence in the U.S. and must have lived in legal resident status for at least two and a half years within the five years. If they have lived outside the U.S. for more than one year, they do not meet the continuous residence requirement. Applicants must also demonstrate good moral character; any record of fraud may lead to loss of eligibility for naturalization.
During the naturalization process, applicants must swear to renounce all allegiance to their original country; support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States; pledge allegiance to the United States; and serve the United States when required. At the same time, citizens have the obligation to serve as jurors, register, vote, and perform other services.