The responsibilities of the American residents are a set of obligations that will allow you to keep your Green Card.
- Notification of change of address.
When permanent residents change their address, they have to notify the corresponding authorities within the following ten days.
Notification can be made online or by mail. You just have to fill in the form known as AR-11, which must be sent to the appropriate office of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Otherwise, they will not cancel your residency, but it can cause problems.
- Requirements to travel abroad and return.
One of the main responsibilities of permanent residents is to live in the United States.
They can travel abroad and stay abroad for a period of six months per year. However, there should not be any problems if they want to stay abroad from 6 to 12 months.
If they want to be away for over a year, they have to ask for permission, and it is limited.
- Staying away from crime.
Permanent residents can be deported if convicted of certain crimes: immoral or aggravated.
- Renewing the Green Card.
The residence card is valid for ten years and it has to be renewed before its expiration date.
Keep in mind that in the case of children, there are different rules.
If you lose your Green Card, the procedure is the same as the renewal.
- Changing certain conditions.
Some residences are not permanent but temporary.
It is the case of cards got by marriage to an American citizen or by making high investment.
- Understanding the limitations when asking for assistance i.e. food stamps.
All underage individuals who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents are entitled to receive help in the form of food stamps if they meet certain income requirements.
But different rules apply to adults. A minimum of five years of residence or 40 Social Security credits are requested to Green Card holders in the country.
- Selective Service.
If you are a young man, you have the obligation to register for the Selective Service.