What is Citizen?
A citizen is a legitimate part of a particular country. There are specific criteria that must be fulfilled to be known as a citizen of a country. These criteria differ from country to country.
One can become a citizen of a specific country if he was born in a country or lived there for five to 10 years. People the government has granted refugee status can also become citizens of the country.
Citizenship can be passed onto your children. Citizenship can also be applied through a process called naturalization. It applies to those born in a foreign country and then immigrated to the U.S. After they have acquired permanent resident status, they can apply for citizenship. If approved by the concerned authorities, they become naturalized citizens.
After becoming a citizen, a person can apply for family members to live in the U.S. and get citizenship for children born outside of the United States.
What is Permanent Resident?
Every individual has a right to live in a country permanently that is not his own.
A permanent residence status allows you to stay in the country continuously. A person can achieve permanent residence by legally living in the country for six or eight years. Every five years, the permanent residency card has to be renewed.
Let’s consider permanent residency in the U.S. A person with a permanent residence permit has the right to work in the U.S. and to apply for close family members (spouse and unmarried children) to receive green cards and join him. The family members will be considered “preference relatives.” Thus, only a limited number of immigrant visas are available to such people annually, and a waiting list is formed.
Permanent residents remain citizens of another country. So every time they travel outside the United States, they will have to carry the passport of that country with them, as well as their U.S. green card. They will use your green card to reenter the United States.
Difference Between Citizen and Permanent Resident
- A citizen is a legitimate part of a particular country, either by birth or applying for it after being a permanent resident. A permanent resident has been granted the lawful right to live in a particular country indefinitely; while holding citizenship of another country.
- Citizenship can never be canceled. A permanent residence permit can be withdrawn from an individual if a situation arises.
- Citizens have the right to vote. Permanent Residents don’t have the right to vote.
- Citizenship is for a lifetime and doesn’t need to be reviewed. The residency card is to be renewed.
- Citizens can apply for a passport in the country they have citizenship. Permanent residents cannot apply for a passport.
Comparison Between Citizen and Permanent Resident
| Parameters of Comparison | Citizen | Permanent Resident |
| Definition | A citizen is a legitimate part of a particular country, either by birth or applying for it after being a permanent resident. | A permanent resident has been granted the lawful right to live in a particular country indefinitely; while holding citizenship of another country. |
| Cancellation | Citizenship can never be canceled. | The permanent residence permit can be withdrawn from an individual if a situation arises. |
| Right to vote | Citizens have the right to vote. | Permanent Residents don’t have the right to vote. |
| Validity | Citizenship is for a lifetime and doesn’t need to be reviewed. | The residency card is to be renewed |
| Application for passport | Citizens can apply for a passport in the country they have citizenship. | Permanent residents cannot apply for a passport. |