The journey to making a new home in the United States is often filled with new terms and acronyms, and one of the most important you’ll encounter is “LPR,” which stands for lawful permanent resident. Seeing or hearing these three letters can mark a major milestone in your immigration story. But what exactly do they mean?
Understanding your immigration status is key to building your life with confidence. At Remitly, we believe in making complex topics simple, clear and comprehensive. This guide will break down everything you need to know about what LPR stands for, how a person achieves this status, and the pertinent rights and responsibilities that come with it.
What does LPR stand for?
The acronym LPR is a core term in US immigration law. It defines a person who has achieved a specific, privileged status in the United States. Let’s look at the meaning of LPR in immigration.
Lawful permanent resident, explained
LPR is the official abbreviation for lawful permanent resident. This legal term refers to any foreign national who has been officially granted authorization to live and work in the United States on a permanent basis. Before someone can be granted LPR status, they must have gone through a rigorous application and vetting process and have been deemed eligible to make the US their permanent home. Note that becoming an LPR does not make you a US citizen; this requires a separate process.
Is an LPR the same as a green card holder?
While lawful permanent resident is the official government term, you will almost always hear this status referred to by its common nickname: “green card holder.” This moniker comes from the official identification card that LPRs receive, the Form I-551 Permanent Resident Card. Historically, this card was green in color. Although its appearance has changed many times over the decades (and the current version is a highly secure card with multiple colors), the “green card” nickname has endured and is used universally.
How do you become a lawful permanent resident?
There are several pathways to becoming an LPR, each with its own specific requirements and processes. Here are the most common routes.
Through family sponsorship
This is the most common pathway to a green card. A US citizen can petition for a wide range of family members, including their spouse, unmarried and married children, parents (if the citizen is over 21), and siblings. In the same right, a lawful permanent resident can petition for certain family members, specifically their spouse and unmarried children. The process starts with the US citizen or LPR filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, to establish the qualifying family relationship.
Through employment-based petitions
Many individuals become LPRs through their professional skills and a job offer from a US employer. This is known as employment-based immigration and is divided into several preference categories (such as EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3).
These categories are for individuals with extraordinary abilities, advanced degrees, or specific skills that are needed in the US workforce. The process usually requires the US employer to file Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, on the employee’s behalf. For some categories, it also involves a complex labor market test known as the PERM process to prove there are no qualified US workers available for the position.
As a refugee or asylee
The US has a long tradition of offering protection to those fleeing persecution. Individuals who are granted refugee status (while outside the US) or asylee status (while inside the US or at a port of entry) due to a well-founded fear of persecution in their home country can apply to become LPRs.
After being physically present in the US for one year with refugee or asylee status, they become eligible to apply for a green card by filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
Through the Diversity Visa Lottery
The Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program, widely known as the “green card lottery,” is designed to diversify the immigrant population of the United States. Each year, the US Department of State holds a lottery and makes up to 55,000 immigrant visas available to individuals from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the US. Applicants submit an online application, and if selected, they must go through a rigorous application and interview process to prove their eligibility before a green card is issued.
The rights of a lawful permanent resident
Becoming an LPR grants you many of the same rights as US citizens, allowing you to fully participate in American society. Below are some of the most important LPR status benefits.
The right to live and work permanently in the US
As an LPR, you have the right to live anywhere in the United States and to work for almost any employer without needing special authorization or sponsorship. There are some exceptions for jobs that require full US citizenship for security clearance reasons.
The right to travel (with some restrictions)
You can travel outside the US and return, but your trip must be temporary. Staying outside the US for more than one year can lead to your status being considered “abandoned.” For any trips longer than six months, it’s wise to be prepared to prove your ties to the US upon your return. If you anticipate a long absence, consider applying for a Re-entry Permit (Form I-131) before you depart.
The right to sponsor certain family members
As a US citizen can sponsor a wider range of relatives, LPRs also have the important right to petition for their own family members. You can file a petition for your spouse and any unmarried children of yours to receive their own green cards and join you in the United States.
The right to own property and access some financial aid
LPRs can own property, attend public schools and universities, and may be eligible for certain types of federal student aid for higher education. They are also eligible for Social Security and Medicare benefits if they have earned enough work credits.
The responsibilities of a lawful permanent resident
With these significant rights come important responsibilities. Maintaining your LPR status requires you to adhere to certain rules.
Obeying all laws
As a resident of the United States, you are required to obey all federal, state, and local laws. This responsibility is particularly serious for LPRs, as committing certain types of crimes can make you deportable. These can include what are known as “aggravated felonies” or “crimes involving moral turpitude.” A criminal conviction can lead to removal proceedings and the loss of your green card.
Filing and paying US taxes
Your status as an LPR means you are considered a US resident for tax purposes. This requires you to report your income from all worldwide sources, not just income earned in the US, to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by filing a tax return each year. Willfully failing to file taxes can be seen as a violation of your responsibilities as an LPR.
Carrying proof of your status
US immigration law requires all LPRs aged 18 or older to carry proof of their status with them. In practical terms, this means you should always have your Permanent Resident Card (green card) with you.
Notifying USCIS of address changes
This is a small but critical responsibility. If you move, you are legally required to report your new address to USCIS within 10 days. This is done by filing Form AR-11, Alien’s Change of Address Card, which can be completed online.
LPR vs. US citizen: what’s the difference?
While LPRs have many rights, there are still key differences between holding a green card and being a US citizen. The table below highlights the main distinctions.
Key distinctions between LPR and US citizen status
| Feature | LPR (Green Card Holder) | US Citizen |
| Can you vote in federal elections? | No | Yes |
| Can you lose your status? | Yes (through abandonment or deportation for certain crimes) | No (except in very rare cases related to fraud in the naturalization process) |
| Will you get a US passport? | No (you continue to use your home country’s passport) | Yes |
| Can you petition for family members to join you in the US? | Yes (limited to spouse and unmarried children) | Yes (additionally, parents, married children, and siblings) |
| Can you hold federal office? | No | Yes |
| Do you have to live in the US to maintain your status? | Yes (must maintain residence) | No (can live abroad indefinitely) |
Conclusion
LPR status is one of the most significant milestones in the US immigration journey. It grants you the freedom and security to build a life, work, and raise a family anywhere in the country. While it comes with important responsibilities, it is also the primary stepping stone toward the ultimate goal for many immigrants: becoming a full US citizen. Understanding what it means to be an LPR is the first step in confidently embracing the rights and duties that come with your new home.
FAQs
How long does LPR status last?
The status itself is permanent, as long as you do not abandon your US residence or commit an act that makes you deportable. Your physical green card, however, generally expires every 10 years and must be renewed.
Can LPRs apply for citizenship?
Yes. This is one of the most important benefits of being an LPR. After meeting certain requirements—basically five years of permanent residency (or three years if married to a US citizen), demonstrating good moral character, and passing a civics and English test, an LPR can apply for US citizenship through the naturalization process.
What if I stay outside the US too long?
An absence of more than one year from the US can create a legal presumption that you have abandoned your permanent residence. For trips between six months and a year, you may face scrutiny upon your return. If you need to be outside the US for an extended period, you should apply for a Re-entry Permit before you leave.
How do I renew my green card?
You can apply to renew your 10-year green card by filing Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, with USCIS. It’s recommended to file this within six months of your card’s expiration date.