green card

American  

noun

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

• green-carder noun

Etymology

Origin of green card

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

They married last year and Marie-Thérèse relocated to Alabama, applying for a green card that would grant her the right to remain in the US.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

He was detained by immigration authorities upon his release in November 2024, and his green card was revoked after an immigration judge ordered his deportation due to his felony conviction.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

Ana says that after the visa was cancelled, Epstein offered to get her a green card to live in the US but she declined so she could stay close to her family in Brazil.

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026

Estrada Juarez applied for legal permanent residency, or a green card, through her daughter, Damaris Bello, 22, a U.S. citizen.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

Plus, if our application for a green card got denied, I wanted to revel in the perks of being an American teenager before the INS killed my vibe.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi