green card

noun

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

green card

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

Other Words From

• green-carder noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of green card¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Unlike U.S. citizens or green card holders, undocumented farmworkers do not qualify for federal unemployment or disaster benefits.

From Los Angeles Times

At the same time, his campaign included promises to “automatically” give green cards — permanent residency — to foreigners who graduate from U.S. universities.

From Los Angeles Times

The campaign for the measure, which defined noncitizens as tax-paying undocumented people and green card holders, said it would allow for fairer elections, evoking the centuries-old slogan “no taxation without representation.”

From Los Angeles Times

“There is no direct path to a green card for people entering the US from Nicaragua, Venezuelan or Haiti on the Humanitarian Parole Scheme,” says Ms Mittelstadt.

From BBC

The bill would have vastly expanded deportations and detentions, added thousands of Border Patrol agents and other personnel, sped up the asylum process, and expanded the availability of visas and green cards.

From Los Angeles Times