green card

American  

noun

green cards plural

1. an official card, originally green, issued by the U.S. government to foreign nationals permitting them to work in the U.S.

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green card British  

noun

1. an official permit allowing the holder permanent residence and employment, issued to foreign nationals in the US

2. an insurance document covering motorists against accidents abroad

3. social welfare (in Britain) an identification card issued by the Manpower Services Commission to a disabled person, to show registration for employment purposes and eligibility for special services See also handicap register registered disabled

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• green-carder
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• green cards
  plural

Etymology

Origin of green card

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

green card

In previous years, Ruiz and Kindelán said they would have headed for the U.S., where Cubans have long enjoyed a fast-track to a green card.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

When a US judge ruled that Benjamin, a Nigerian green card holder married to an American citizen, was entitled to torture protections, he was looking forward to reuniting with his family.

From Barron's ● Jul. 7, 2026

Lau that immigration officers can now deport and deny lawful permanent residents — green card holders — entry into the country if they reasonably believe that the residents have committed a crime involving “moral turpitude.”

From Salon ● Jun. 28, 2026

The officer invoked this exception against Lau, snatching his green card and “paroling” him into the country.

From Slate ● Jun. 23, 2026

At window four, Apa doesn’t speak, just hands over my green card to the young black man in the same dark blue wool sweater.

From "A Step from Heaven" by An Na