The technical term for a "Green Card" is Lawful Permanent Resident status .  In fact, the term "Green Card" is derived from the color of the card given when you obtained Lawful Permanent Resident status in the past.  In fact, the card is no longer green because the INS changes it periodically to stem false duplication.  Today, it contains your picture, an expiration date, blue lettering and a pink hue as shown.

Once you have held a "Green Card" for five years (three years if married to a US citizen), you are eligible to apply for US Citizenship. At your citizenship ceremony, you must hand in your "Green Card" and it is replaced with your Certificate of Naturalization.  Your Certificate of Naturalization is a very valuable document and should be stored in a safety deposit box.  When you apply for a passport, you will be required to provide your Certificate of Naturalization but despite thoughts to the contrary, you will receive it back when your passport is issued.

Intention To Abandon - Many people are unaware of the regulations and duties surrounding their "Green Card" until they go to the border and it is seized.  Since a "Green Card" is considered Lawful Permanent Residence, you must demonstrate to the Immigration and Naturalization Service that you are actively using it, or they may decide for you that you intended to abandon it by the actions you have taken.  These duties include using the "Green Card" by living in the US .  If you leave the US for an extended period of time, you may be deemed to have abandoned it.  Another important duty is filing US tax returns from the time you receive your "Green Card" until you relinquish it again.  Many people are unaware of these regulations and are simply living in Canada with a "Green Card" in their pocket totally unaware that the Immigration and Naturalization Service may deem them to have "abandoned" it.  If you have a US "Green Card" and you are residing in Canada , you need to "Use It or Lose It."  If you lose it, you must start the "Green Card" application process all over again.

Unfortunately, the backlog at the INS right now means no matter what immigration strategy is selected, there is a long wait ahead of you.  In some cases, it is as short as six to eight months and we are aware of applications taking up to 10 or more years!  There are two ways of getting lawful permanent resident status in the US (a Green Card):