People often consider which route is more suitable for them to get a legal entry into the USA. If you are one of those people, then you are at the right place. We are here to clear all your doubts and answer all your queries regarding the differences between green card and a visa.
First of all, you should be aware of the intersection between the two. A green card holder is required by law to have a visa to gain entry to the US. While a person with a visa does not necessarily have to have a green card. Read along to find the key differences, benefits and which is better specifically for you: green card vs visa.
Visa: All You Need to Know
A visa is an official document issued by the government, allowing you to enter the country through a legitimate entrypoint. A visa, or Visitors International Stay Admission, is issued depending upon the purpose of travel. A US visa has to be applied at a US embassy or consulate before travelling to the country.
Visa Types
- Non-Immigrant Visa: A person travelling to the US for tourism, work, medical reasons, or studying. It is exclusively granted to people visiting the US temporarily. However, the applicant must be able to prove the purpose of their visit beforehand. This visa has a clear validity and expiration date that the visitor cannot cross.
- Immigrant Visa: An immigrant visa is issued to an individual with a purpose to live permanently in the US. Securing this visa is the first step in the immigration process. It is also an integral part of getting a green card. But it must be noted that it is quite hard to obtain an immigrant visa.
Green Card: All You Need to Know
A green card is an official document certifying permanent resident status of the holder. It contains viable information of the holder such as photo, name, and fingerprints. To apply for a green card USA, the applicant must already have an immigrant visa issued to them. Individuals who seek the possibility of working endlessly in the United States, reuniting with their families, or living an improved life have to acquire a green card. The green card has a duration of ten years; hence, it will expire after this period.
Green Card Types
Although the issued document is the same in all cases, the green card can be differentiated into different types based upon the route it was applied through.
- Family-based Green Card: US citizens can sponsor their family members to apply for a green card. The priority given by the USCIS is dependent on if the relative is an immediate family member or which family preference category they fall into.
- Employment-based Green Card: An applicant may be issued a green card if they have a job offer from a US employer. However, there are certain conditions, such as the applicant must have been at a managerial or executive position in the original company and so on.
- Humanitarian Green Card: Refugees, asylum seekers and victims of war crimes are eligible to apply for green cards.
- Diversity Visa Lottery: US offers around 50,000 green cards to countries with low immigration levels to the US. The candidates are selected through a random lottery from computer generated codes.
Visa vs Green Card: Key Differences
The fundamental difference between a visa and a green card is the purpose of the document. Given below is a list of differences between the two.
| Type | Visa | Green Card |
| Validity | A visa is a temporarily acquired document. Its validity can range from a few days to a few years. | The status of a green card is relatively permanent. Green card expires after ten years. |
| Purpose | The purpose of a visa has to be specific i.e., study, travel, work. | The purpose of a Green Card is relatively general i.e., working or living in the US |
| Appearance | A visa is generally just stamped onto the passport. | A Green Card is a separate plastic card. |
| Citizenship | A visa in itself cannot lead to citizenship. | A green card is the first step in acquiring US citizenship. |
How Documitra Can Help You
Whether you seek a visa to enter the US to work, study, or just travel. Or you seek a green card to lead a better life in the US, Documitra can help you in your quest. We have a team of professionals with years of experience in documentation, application submission, and helping applicants with getting visas and green cards. So, if you have a clear purpose and requirements, then the necessary document to get entry into the US is just a click away.
FAQs
Q. Green Card vs Visa, which is better for me?
In order to choose which document would be better for you, we need to consider what your goals are. If you want to travel to the US on a temporary basis, whether you have intentions of working there or studying, the best option for you would be a non immigrant visa. But if your goal is to establish yourself in the USA, you will need to obtain an immigrant visa first.
Q. What are the eligibility requirements to apply for a US visa?
The requirements for immigrant and non-immigrant visas vary. An example is that you should have a reason for traveling if you want to obtain a non-immigrant visa and provide evidence that you have connections in your home country. While for an immigrant visa, you should be sponsored by a US citizen or permanent resident and a clear history with no criminal records.
Q. What are the different types of green cards?
Green cards are majorly divided into family based green cards, employment based green cards, and humanitarian green cards.
