Permanent Residency and Citizenship are Privileges

• Having a green card or citizenship is considered a privilege and not a right. There are certain rules and guidelines that you are expected to adhere to keep your citizenship or permanent residence status.
  
  

Eligibility for Citizenship

• You can be eligible for a green card or U.S. citizenship through family, employment status, or refugee or asylum status. To be eligible for U.S. citizenship, you must be a permanent, continuous resident of the U.S. for five years.
  
  

Eligibility for Permanent Residence

• There are a variety of ways an individual can apply and qualify for a green card. A foreign-born individual can qualify through his employment or through a relative. It is important to note qualifying for a green card through employment requires the individual be in the U.S. on a work-issued visa.
  
  

Green Card Lottery

• Officially known as the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, the green card lottery enables foreign-born individuals an opportunity to apply for permanent resident status in the U.S.
  
  

Previous Visa Violations

• A history of overstaying visas or deportations can result in difficulties in obtaining a green card. Likewise, a history of criminal convictions can also result in the denial of green card renewals or an application for U.S. citizenship.