what is green card in america

A green card, officially known as a Permanent Resident Card, is an identity document that shows that a person has permanent residency in the United States. Green card holders are formally known as lawful permanent residents (LPRs) . Having a green card allows a non-U.S. citizen to gain permanent residence in the United States, which allows a non-citizen to live and work (lawfully) anywhere in the United States, and qualify for U.S. citizenship after three or five years. A green card holder is a permanent resident who has been granted authorization to live and work in the United States on a permanent basis. The steps to apply for a green card vary depending on individual situations, and there are different eligibility categories for green card applications. The U.S. government issues more than a million green cards every year, with most given to family members of current green card holders and U.S. citizens, followed by workers from other countries seeking employment in the United States.