The Green Card

Question:

1-¿Is there any major difference between holding a US Citizenship and a Green Card?

2-¿Is it a requirement to have a permanent address in the US to stay at in order to qualify to receive the Green Card? I ask this because one of the questions in the form asks for a "permanent address in the USA where you intend to live, if known", and the next question asks for an "address in the USA where you want your Green Card to be mailed, if different from the one in the previous question".

3-¿Can a Green Card "expire"? For example, let's suppose that I finally win the Green Card, move to the US, and after some time, I decide to move back to my country or any other. ¿Would this, or any similar situation, make the Green Card invalid for life or anything?

Answer:

My situation is this: I applied fot the DV-Lottery 2006 back in January, and two days ago I received an envelope from the Kentucky Consular Center containing a letter and some forms to fill out and send back.

The thing is that, after reading the information they sent me and some I found on Internet, I've some doubts about some particular topics. I hope someone will be able to help me.

1-¿Is there any major difference between holding a US Citizenship and a Green Card?

4-¿Is it possible to give up a Green Card? ¿Is it a proccess that takes long? ¿Can a person who previously gave up his Green Card enter the US again in the future (as a tourist, student, or in any other condition), or even ask for it again?

5-Let's suppose that I win and I'm called for an interview at the Consulate it my town so that they can decide whether to finally give me the Green Card or not. Let's suppose that, for some reason, they decide they won't give it to me, or I, for some reason (like finding out during the interview something I dislike about holding a Green Card), decide not to accept it. ¿Would I be forced to pay the $375 fee anyway?

That's all. I know they are many questions and some of them may sound stupid, but I'm just trying to prevent any unpleasent surprise that might appear in the future as a consequence of not having had this information now.

Yes. A Green Card allows you to live in the USA, but you are still considered a foreigner, can still get deported, can't vote, etc.

You can get US citizenship after you had your GC for five years and meet a few other requirements.

Yes. Please visit my FAQ site at http://www.kkeane.com for more information on this (and other) subjects.

You can indeed give up your GC. It's very simple, you just show up at a US consulate, fill out one form, give them the GC, and are done. In most cases, you can travel to the USA again as a tourist. You can also get a Green Card again, but would have to qualify for it again. You cannot get it based on the fact that you had a Green Card.

Probably. Also, if they decide to deny you the GC, it would likely be for a reason that would also prevent you from traveling to the USA as a tourist.

Having a Green Card indeed requires you to live in the USA permanently. If you move out of the USA, you would lose the GC.

I have everything clearer now, except for the question I quoted above. What I actually meant was if I have to already have a house in the US or any other place to stay in order to be able to get the Green Card. I mean, I have never been to the US, I don't have any relatives or close friends there, I even have no idea where in the US I would move to if I should finally win the Green Card. So, if they asked me, as an obligatory requirement, for a permanent address in the US where I would live if they gave me a Green Card (which is what they do in this form they sent me, but I don't know if it is a requirement or they ask just in case I had a house there), I just wouldn't be able to answer, since I have no place to stay in the US right now. If it weren't a requirement right now, if I got the visa, I could go there and find somewhere to stay, but if it is a requirement to have a place in the US to stay before getting a Green Card, I wouldn't be able to get it. So, what I would like to know is whether having a permanent address in the US before they give me a Green Card is an obligatory requirement to be able to get it. Any idea?

We ran in to exactly the same problem for DV2000! Why they insist you have a US address when you don't live there is totally beyond me -- they obviously haven't thought it out very well! You need to fill something in on the form otherwise they'll just send it back to you complete with yellow highlighter (I speak from experience here!). We eventually used the address of a friend of a friend of a friend.

Surely you know someone in the States? Alternatively, perhaps you could open a US mailing address over the Web (dunno if this meets the requirements, though). Some offer a service without a PO Box number. I know that you can change the address when you enter -- but this presumably won't be much help to you. Where are you thinking of staying when you first arrive. If it's, for example, an apartment complex, you could maybe contact the management now and make arrangements for it to go to the office there.

The address you give, BTW, is the one they mail your green card to. Took about 2 weeks from landing for ours. Hate to think what happens if you don't receive it but knowing US bureaucracy I would hazard it's long, painful, tedious and expensive for you but sadistically satisfying for them.

finally, if you've ever wanted to experience the States, you've got the best visa possible without question -- enjoy it!

I don't think you would need an address in the US while just filling the forms, you aren't a resident after all...but I think it's there for people who have family or friends that they may still with if they moved.

Regarding the fee, you apply, you pay the fee, you change your mind later, you won't get a refund.

You do! Don't try to apply logic to US bureaucracy. That way lies madness!

Agreed. Note that the question even says "if known." It would help if you had some kind of contact, for two reasons. First, there is the public charge concern. While it is OK not to know where you will be living, the consulate will still need to make sure that you won't end up homeless.

Second, you do need to give an address where the actual Green Card will be mailed. I think it may be possible to rent a mailbox for such a purpose.