green card

/grin kɑrd/

/grin kɑd/

Other forms: green cards

In the U.S., a green card is a document that proves you're a permanent resident. Many people with green cards go on to become citizens.

The approximately 14 million green card holders are officially known as lawful permanent residents. The document itself has the formal name of "permanent resident card," but it got the nickname green card from its color. Today, a green card isn't green at all (it's more of a beige shade), but the name has stuck around through many color changes. Green card holders who stay in the U.S. and prove they're of "good moral character" can apply for citizenship.

Definitions of green card

1. noun

   a card that identifies the bearer as an alien with permanent resident status in the United States
   “he was surprised to discover that green cards are no longer green”

   type of:

   positive identification

   evidence proving that you are who you say you are; evidence establishing that you are among the group of people already known to the system; recognition by the system leads to acceptance