Green Card Definition & Usage Guide

Meaning 1：permanent residence card (green card)

green card 🔊

/ɡriːn kɑːrd/

A document issued by the U.S. government that allows a foreigner to live and work in the United States permanently.

Green card held by hands with city skyline background

permanent residence card 🔊

➕

/ˈpɜːrmənənt ˈrɛzɪdəns kɑːrd/

A U.S. government-issued document that grants a foreign national the right to live and work permanently in the United States.

📁 Category：Laws & Regulations 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Compound of 'green' (color) and 'card' (identification document).

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a green rectangle that grants permanent entry to the U.S.—like a magical key card.

📖 Example

His company helped him apply for a green card so he could continue working in the U.S. after his student visa expired. 🔊 His employer assisted him in obtaining permanent residency so he could keep his job after his student visa ended.

🔗 Collocations

apply for a green card – Submit an application to obtain a permanent residence card

green card holder – A person who has been granted permanent residency

green card lottery – A random selection program for immigration visas

🔄 Synonyms

permanent residence permit (n.) – A legal document allowing indefinite stay in a country

immigrant visa (n.) – A visa that leads to permanent residency

alien registration card (n.) – Historical term for the green card

🚫 Antonyms

temporary visa (n.) – A visa with a limited duration of stay

tourist visa (n.) – A short-term visa for travel purposes

non-immigrant visa (n.) – A visa that does not lead to permanent residency

📖 Cultural Story

The term originated from the green color of the first Alien Registration Receipt Card issued in 1946. Although the card's color changed later, the name stuck.