Immigrating to the United States is a dream for millions of people around the world, offering opportunities for a better life, career advancement, and stability. For those navigating the U.S. immigration system, two major milestones stand out: obtaining permanent residency (commonly known as a green card) and becoming a U.S. citizen through naturalization. While both statuses allow individuals to live and work in the U.S., they differ significantly in terms of rights, responsibilities, and benefits. Understanding these differences is crucial for anyone considering a long-term future in the United States. In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between U.S. citizenship and permanent residency, based on the latest facts and expert insights as of February 25, 2025.
What is Permanent Residency?
A U.S. permanent resident is someone who has been granted permission to live and work in the United States indefinitely. This status is symbolized by the coveted “green card,” formally known as the Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551). As of 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) oversees the issuance of approximately 1 million green cards annually, a number that has remained relatively stable over the past decade, according to the Department of Homeland Security’s 2024 Immigration Statistics.
Permanent residency can be obtained through a variety of avenues, including family sponsorship, employment, refugee or asylee status, or the diversity visa lottery. For example, in fiscal year 2023, approximately 60% of green cards were issued through family-based petitions, while 20% were employment-based, according to USCIS data. Once granted, a green card is generally valid for 10 years, although it must be renewed and certain conditions-such as maintaining U.S. residency-must be met to avoid losing that status.
What is U.S. Citizenship?
U.S. citizenship is the highest immigration status a person can achieve in the United States. It can be acquired at birth (for those born on U.S. soil or to U.S. citizen parents abroad) or through naturalization, a process available to legal permanent residents who meet certain eligibility criteria. In 2024, USCIS naturalized approximately 870,000 new citizens, up slightly from 850,000 in 2023, reflecting a growing trend of immigrants seeking citizenship amid a changing political and social landscape.
Naturalization requires lawful permanent residency for at least five years (or three years if married to a U.S. citizen), passing an English and civics test, and demonstrating good moral character. As of February 2025, the application fee for naturalization (Form N-400) is $725, including biometric services, although fee waivers are available for qualifying low-income applicants.
Rights: A Tale of Two Statuses
One of the most important differences between permanent residency and citizenship is the rights that each status confers.
Permanent residents enjoy many privileges similar to those of citizens. They can live and work anywhere in the U.S. without a visa, have access to public education, and own property. They are also eligible for Social Security benefits and Medicare after meeting work and residency requirements. But their rights are not absolute. Green card holders cannot vote in federal or most state elections-a restriction that has been upheld by the courts, including a 2022 ruling in New York that struck down a local law that would have allowed noncitizens to vote. They also cannot run for public office or serve on a federal jury.
U.S. citizens, on the other hand, enjoy the full spectrum of constitutional rights. Voting is perhaps the most celebrated privilege, with more than 11 million naturalized citizens casting ballots in the 2020 presidential election, according to the Pew Research Center. Citizens can also run for elected office (with some exceptions, such as the presidency, which requires birthright citizenship), serve on juries, and have access to certain federal jobs that require a security clearance-positions often closed to permanent residents. In addition, citizens hold a U.S. passport, which is one of the world’s most powerful travel documents, providing visa-free access to more than 180 countries by 2025, according to the Henley Passport Index.
Responsibilities: Duty and Accountability
Both statuses carry responsibilities, but the scope and consequences differ.
Permanent residents must obey U.S. laws, pay taxes, and register with Selective Service if they are males between the ages of 18 and 25. They are also required to maintain their residency by spending significant time in the U.S.-generally no more than six months abroad per trip-without risking loss of status. In 2024, USCIS clarified that absences of more than one year without permission to re-enter could result in green card revocation, a policy that has been tightened in recent years.
U.S. citizens share these responsibilities, but face additional obligations tied to their status. They are subject to worldwide taxation of their income regardless of where they live, a rule unique to the U.S. and Eritrea. Citizens also have a lifelong allegiance to the United States, formalized in the naturalization oath, which includes a renunciation of foreign allegiances. This oath, administered to more than 7 million new citizens since 2000, underscores the permanence of citizenship, which cannot be revoked except in rare cases such as fraud or treason.
Benefits: Security and Opportunity
The benefits of each status underscore their different levels of security and opportunity.
For Permanent Residents, the green card offers stability and access to many American systems. They can sponsor immediate relatives (spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents) for green cards, though wait times can stretch for years due to annual quotas-over 4 million were in the family-based backlog as of 2024, according to USCIS. Green card holders also enjoy in-state tuition at public universities and protection from deportation unless they commit certain crimes. However, their status remains conditional; a 2023 Government Accountability Office report noted that over 10,000 green cards are revoked annually due to immigration violations or criminal convictions.
U.S. citizens gain unparalleled security and flexibility. Citizenship is irrevocable in most cases and provides lifetime protection from deportation. Citizens can sponsor a wider range of relatives – including siblings and married children – although waiting periods still apply. They also benefit from consular protection abroad and the ability to pass on citizenship to their children born abroad. In 2025, amid global uncertainties, this benefit has grown in appeal, with naturalization applications up 5% from the previous year, according to immigration analysts.
Paths and costs
The path to each status involves different processes and costs. Obtaining a green card can cost anywhere from $1,225 (adjustment of status) to over $10,000 (employment-based petitions with attorney fees), depending on the category. Processing times vary widely – family-based petitions average 12-18 months in 2024, while employment-based cases can take years due to per-country caps.
Naturalization, the path from permanent residency to citizenship, is more straightforward but requires patience. As of February 2025, the average processing time for Form N-400 is 6-12 months, down from 10-14 months in 2022 due to USCIS efficiency initiatives. The $725 fee, combined with the five-year residency requirement, makes citizenship a significant but attainable goal for many.
Key Considerations
The choice between permanent residency and citizenship depends on individual goals. Permanent residency suits those who value flexibility – such as maintaining ties to their home country – because green card holders can maintain dual citizenship without conflict under U.S. law. However, extended absences or legal missteps can jeopardize this status.
Citizenship appeals to those seeking permanence and political engagement. It removes immigration uncertainty, a factor that has driven up naturalization rates amid debates over immigration policy in the 2024 election cycle. Experts like immigration attorney Maria Gonzalez note, “Citizenship offers peace of mind in an era of tightening regulations – something a green card can’t fully guarantee.”
The bottom line.
In 2025, the choice between U.S. permanent residency and citizenship remains a critical one for millions of people. Permanent residents enjoy substantial rights and benefits, but lack the full privileges and security of citizenship. Citizens, on the other hand, gain voting rights, global mobility, and a firm foothold in the U.S.-at the cost of greater responsibilities. Whether you’re a green card holder considering naturalization or an immigrant exploring your options, understanding these differences is the first step in shaping your American journey. With more than 44 million immigrants expected to call the U.S. home by 2024, according to Census estimates, these choices continue to define the nation’s diverse fabric.
