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

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Etymology

Origin of green card

First recorded in 1965–70

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

green card

He now faces a four-year prison sentence if he returns to Brazil, but has secured a U.S. green card, allowing him to remain in the country permanently.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026

Bhengura moved to the U.S. and spent 18 years working toward becoming a legal resident, securing his green card in 2022.

From Salon ● Sep. 26, 2026

Homeland Security claimed the office sent a notice advising him to submit an application for a permanent green card, as the temporary card expired in 1997, Darnell said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026

She asked the BBC to not use her real name out of fear it could impact a pending case to extend her green card.

From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2026

I had an aunt who went as far as divorcing her husband and briefly marrying an American family friend so that she could get a green card.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi

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