A Green Card, officially known as a Permanent Resident Card, is an identity document that grants a person lawful permanent resident status in the United States. This status authorizes the holder to live and work permanently in the U.S. without restrictions on employment or location within the country

. Key points about a Green Card include:

• It serves as proof of permanent residency issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

• Green Card holders can work for any employer or be self-employed, unlike many visa holders who are tied to specific employers

• It allows the holder to travel in and out of the U.S. more easily, with certain rules about duration of travel abroad

• Green Card holders can apply for U.S. citizenship after three years if married to a U.S. citizen, or after five years otherwise

• The card must be renewed every 10 years

• While Green Card holders enjoy many rights and protections under U.S. law, they do not have all the rights of U.S. citizens, such as voting or running for political office

• The Green Card originated from earlier Alien Registration Receipt Cards and has historically been green in color, which is why it is commonly called a "Green Card"

In summary, a Green Card is a legal status and document that allows a non-U.S. citizen to reside and work permanently in the United States with many of the benefits of citizenship, but without full citizenship rights