This guide explains the key obligations of visa and green card holders in the United States: the duties that keep your status safe between applications, and the mistakes that most often put it at risk.
Getting a visa or a green card is only the start. Most status problems we see do not come from dramatic events; they come from small, overlooked duties: a missed address update, a long trip abroad, a card that expired, or a form signed without reading it. This guide collects the obligations that apply to most noncitizens in the United States, explains them in plain language and points to the official sources. It is general information; your own situation may add or change obligations.
Noncitizens in the United States generally must report a new address to USCIS within 10 days of moving. You can do this through your USCIS online account or by filing Form AR-11 by mail. The requirement does not apply to A and G visa holders or Visa Waiver Program visitors. Changing your address with the U.S. Postal Service does not update USCIS. If you have pending cases, add each receipt number so every file is updated.
If you are in immigration court, there is a separate and shorter rule: you must notify the Immigration Court in writing on Form EOIR-33 within five days of any address change. Missing court mail can lead to a hearing notice you never see, so treat this deadline seriously.
Under section 264(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, every noncitizen 18 years of age and older must at all times carry the certificate of alien registration or registration receipt card issued to them, such as a green card or other registration document. Failing to comply is a misdemeanor. Keep copies at home and store the originals safely, but carry the document itself when the law requires it.
Permanent residents may travel, and brief trips usually do not affect status. Longer absences are different:
Before a long trip, run your dates through our Green Card Travel Checker.
Male green card holders and most other male immigrants must register with the Selective Service System if they are 18 through 25, generally within 30 days of turning 18 or of entering the United States in that age range. Men in valid nonimmigrant status, such as students or temporary workers, are generally exempt while they remain in that status. Selective Service lists U.S. citizenship for immigrant men among the opportunities tied to registration, so registering on time avoids questions later.
For federal tax purposes, a lawful permanent resident is a resident alien, and resident aliens follow the same tax rules as U.S. citizens and report their worldwide income. USCIS lists filing income tax returns as a responsibility of permanent residents, and filing as a nonresident can later be used as evidence that you did not intend to live here permanently. Nonimmigrants may be residents or nonresidents for tax purposes depending on the IRS tests; ask a tax professional.
Anyone applying for a visa, admission or a green card can be found inadmissible as likely to become a public charge. The Department of Homeland Security rescinded the 2022 public charge regulation in a final rule that took effect on September 18, 2026, and USCIS officers now assess all pertinent facts case by case. Before you or a family member apply for public benefits, get individual advice. Read our Journal article on the new public charge rule.
Permanent residents cannot vote in federal, state or local elections. A noncitizen who votes in violation of any federal, state or local law is deportable, and a noncitizen who falsely claims to be a U.S. citizen for any purpose or benefit under federal or state law is deportable and generally permanently barred from admission. Registering to vote or checking a citizenship box on a government form can raise this issue, so read every form before you sign it.
Many permanent residents can apply to naturalize after five years, or three years if married to and living with a U.S. citizen spouse, if they meet the residence, physical presence and other requirements. Use our Citizenship Eligibility Calculator to estimate your earliest filing date, and review your travel history and any arrests or tax issues with counsel before filing.
If you suspect a scam, USCIS suggests reporting it to the Federal Trade Commission or your state consumer protection office.
Within 10 days of moving, through your USCIS online account or on Form AR-11. If you are in immigration court, you must also file Form EOIR-33 with the court within five days.
Yes. INA 264(e) requires every noncitizen 18 or older to carry the registration document issued to them at all times. Failing to do so is a misdemeanor.
Yes. If you did not intend to make the United States your permanent home, you can be found to have abandoned your status. Absences of more than a year raise a strong question, and shorter trips can also be a problem.
Before you leave, if you plan to be abroad for more than a year. You must file Form I-131 while you are in the United States.
Yes, your status does not expire with the card. You should file Form I-90 once the card expires or will expire within six months. Conditional residents file Form I-751 instead.
Men who are 18 through 25 generally must register, including green card holders and most other immigrants. Men in valid nonimmigrant status are generally exempt while they remain in that status.
USCIS states that permanent residents cannot vote in federal, state or local elections. Voting unlawfully or falsely claiming citizenship can lead to removal.
Only attorneys and accredited representatives of Department of Justice recognized organizations may give immigration legal advice. Notarios are not authorized to do so.
Take the first step toward turning your challenges into achievements. We are ready to listen.
