DictionaryIdentity and taxes

Permanent Resident Card (green card): what it means

The Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551, known as a green card) is the document that shows a person is a lawful permanent resident of the United States, meaning they have the privilege of living here permanently as an immigrant. Under federal regulations, it serves as evidence of registration and shows the person may work without limits on location or type of job.

In Spanish it is

Tarjeta de residente permanente (green card)

Also written as: green card · Form I-551

A pregnant woman takes a video appointment on a tablet at her kitchen table.

Verified on October 17, 2026

4 official sources

See the whole dictionary

The full explanation

The expiration date only shows when the card must be renewed; it does not mean the person's work authorization has ended. For the IRS, having this card makes you a resident for tax purposes.

An example

Patricia's card is about to expire. She knows she is still a resident and can work, but she applies for a new card so she has a current document.

You will see it in…

Form I-9 when you start a job
A mortgage loan application
Your tax return, which shows whether you are a resident for IRS purposes

Words that go with it

You will rarely see this word alone. These are the ones that show up with it on the same papers.

Still confused by a paper?

A HUD-approved housing counselor can walk you through it. Agencies usually charge little or nothing, many work in Spanish, and they do not sell you anything.

What a housing counselor does See free help

Official sources

We sum up what these official sources say, in plain words. We add no rules they do not state; when a rule changes, the definition and its date change.

1. Legal Information Institute (Cornell Law School) · 8 CFR § 264.1: registration and fingerprinting (evidence of registration) (external site) · in English · Verified on October 17, 2026
2. Legal Information Institute (Cornell Law School) · 8 CFR § 264.5: application for a replacement Permanent Resident Card (external site) · in English · Verified on October 17, 2026
3. Legal Information Institute (Cornell Law School) · 8 CFR § 274a.12: classes of aliens authorized to accept employment (external site) · in English · Verified on October 17, 2026
4. IRS · U.S. tax residency – Green card test (external site) · in English · Verified on October 17, 2026