The Dos and Don'ts After You Get Your Green Card

Congratulations on getting your Green Card! With your Permanent Resident Status, however, come some "dos" and "don'ts." Here are the most important:

THE DOS:

Things you must do as a Green Card holder:

1. Carry Your Green Card

• Physical card must be carried if you're 18 or older

• Required by law to have it with you at all times

• Federal penalties apply for non-compliance

2. Abide by Tax Obligations

• File your annual federal tax returns

• Report all worldwide income

• Keep proper tax records

3. Keep your Information Current

• Update your address with USCIS within 10 days of moving

• Notify Social Security Administration of address changes

• Notify other federal and state agencies of your new address

4. Selective Service Registration

• Male permanent residents ages 18-25 must register for Selective Service within 30

days of obtaining residency

• Failure to register can affect citizenship eligibility

THE DON'TS

Things you should not do as a Green Card holder:

1. Claim to be a U.S. Citizen

2. Vote or register to vote in federal (and other) elections

3. Frequent and extended stays abroad

• Avoid long (6 months or more) and / or frequent stays abroad

• Extended stays risk abandonment of permanent residence

• If travel for extended period, maintain ties to the U.S.

4. Do not commit crimes

• Follow all U.S. laws

• Do not get arrested for or convicted of any crime

5. Do not miss Important Dates!

• Monitor your green card's expiration date to renew it timely

• If you have a conditional green card, monitor your conditional status and timely file your petition to remove conditions