Janice Lozano
International students are defined as non-immigrant visitors who come to a country temporarily to take classes or take online courses virtually from anywhere in the world. They do not have citizenship or legal permanent resident status, and they do not provide evidence of intention to become a citizen or permanent resident. Permanent residents, on the other hand, have obtained authorization to live and work in a country on a permanent basis and hold a Permanent Resident Card (commonly known as a green card). While permanent residents are not citizens, they enjoy many rights associated with citizens, such as the ability to work on or off-campus without authorization and the ability to enrol in universities without requiring an F-1 visa. Therefore, permanent residents are not considered international students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of an international student | Non-immigrant visitors who come to the US temporarily to take classes or take online courses virtually from anywhere in the world |
| Definition of permanent residency | An individual who has obtained authorization to live and work in the US on a permanent basis |
| Permanent resident status | Not the same as US citizenship, but comes with many associated rights |
| Permanent resident card | Also known as a "green card", this is a plastic card with the individual's biographic information, photo, fingerprint, and expiration date |
| International student status | Determined by citizenship, national status, or permanent residence status |
| Tuition rates for international students | Higher than domestic students |
| Requirements for permanent residency | Submission of a copy of the permanent resident card (green card) |
| PR Pending status | Individuals who have filed Form I-485 to adjust their status from non-citizen to permanent resident; they can remain in the US during this period and may apply for work permission |
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What You'll Learn
- International students are considered non-immigrant visitors to the US
- Permanent residency is not the same as US citizenship
- Permanent residents have a Green Card (Form I-551)
- Permanent residents are not considered international students
- Permanent residents can work on or off-campus without authorisation
International students are considered non-immigrant visitors to the US
To obtain a student visa, international students must first be accepted into a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school in the US. Once accepted, the designated school official will send the student a Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status." This form serves as a record of the student's information in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) database. After receiving the Form I-20, the student must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee before applying for the US student visa.
Upon arrival in the US, international students will meet with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers who will verify their information and determine their entry into the country. If admitted, CBP officers will provide a Form I-94, "Arrival/Departure Record." International students must maintain their student status by fulfilling the purpose of their visa and complying with associated regulations.
It is important to note that international students are typically required to pay higher tuition rates compared to domestic students. However, if an international student obtains a lawful permanent resident status, they can be reclassified as a domestic student, resulting in reduced tuition fees. This change in status requires submitting documentation, such as a copy of their US Permanent Resident Card (green card), to the relevant university authorities.
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Permanent residency is not the same as US citizenship
International students are defined as "non-immigrant visitors" who come to the United States temporarily to take classes or take online courses virtually from anywhere in the world. A non-immigrant is someone who intends to stay in the US temporarily, does not have US citizenship or legal permanent resident status, and is currently in the US on a non-immigrant visa without a valid green card.
Now, what does it mean to be a permanent resident? According to the United States Government, “lawful permanent residency” refers to an individual’s immigration status, stating that the individual has obtained authorization to live and work in the United States of America on a permanent basis. A permanent resident is issued a "green card," which is a photo ID card that proves their status. A grant of permanent residence includes the right to work in the US.
After a certain period (five years in most cases, with exceptions), permanent residents who have shown good moral character and can demonstrate proficiency in English and pass an exam on US history and government can apply for US citizenship through a process called naturalization. The citizenship application process involves submitting Form N-400 and any applicable documents, attending a biometrics appointment, and an in-person interview. Once approved, the applicant attends a swearing-in ceremony.
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Permanent residents have a Green Card (Form I-551)
International students are defined as "non-immigrant" visitors who come to the United States temporarily to take classes or take online courses virtually from anywhere in the world. A non-immigrant is someone who intends to stay in the US temporarily, does not have US citizenship, and does not have legal permanent resident status (a valid "green card").
A Permanent Resident Card, also known as a Green Card, is a plastic card with the holder's biographic information, photo, fingerprint, and expiration date. It is issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. Form I-551, also known as a Green Card, is a designation that signifies an individual's status as a permanent resident of the United States. It grants certain rights, including the right to work and travel freely. The form is located on the back of the Green Card, in the top left corner.
The Green Card contains the bearer's photo, name, USCIS number/A-Number, date of birth, laser-engraved fingerprint, and card expiration date. The USCIS/A-Number is also located on the back of the card. These cards may or may not contain a signature, but a signature is not required for the card to be acceptable for Form I-9 purposes.
Before receiving the official Green Card, an individual will be given a machine-readable immigrant visa (MRIV) placed in their passport. This will contain the phrase: "Upon endorsement, this serves as temporary I-551 evidencing permanent residence for 1 year." Once the individual arrives in the US, a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent will stamp their passport. This stamp, known as the Alien Documentation, Identification & Telecommunications (ADIT) stamp, will show the individual's status as a lawful permanent resident (LPR). The MRIV and the ADIT stamp together prove LPR status for up to 1 year following the date of entry.
If a Green Card is lost, stolen, or destroyed, a new one can be obtained by completing and filing Form I-90, the Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. The processing time for this application can take up to 13 months. In the meantime, an individual can obtain an I-551 stamp, which can be used in place of the Green Card.
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Permanent residents are not considered international students
An international student is defined as a "non-immigrant" visitor who travels to a country temporarily to take classes or take online courses. A non-immigrant is someone who intends to stay in the country temporarily, does not have citizenship or legal permanent resident status, and is currently in the country on a non-immigrant visa.
Permanent residents, on the other hand, are those who have obtained their Green Card (Form I-551). They are not considered citizens of the country but have many rights associated with citizens. They are also not considered international students. They are a special category. With that being said, permanent residents do not need any special visa or authorization from the International Student and Scholar Office to enrol in universities. In addition, they may work on or off-campus without authorization.
If an individual has filed the I-485 application to adjust their status from a non-citizen to become a Permanent Resident, they are considered to be Pending for Permanent Residency (PR Pending or I-485 Pending). This status gives the individual the legal status to remain in the country during this pending period. The individual does not automatically have the right to work but may apply for work permission. Like permanent residents, PR Pending individuals may also enrol in universities without any special visa or authorization from the International Student and Scholar Office.
Therefore, permanent residents are not considered international students. To be considered an international student, one must not be a citizen or national of, or lawfully admitted for permanent residence in, the country in which they are studying.
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Permanent residents can work on or off-campus without authorisation
An international student is defined as a "non-immigrant" visitor who comes to a country—for example, the United States—temporarily to take classes or take online courses virtually from anywhere in the world. A non-immigrant is someone who intends to stay in the US temporarily, does not have US citizenship or legal permanent resident status (a valid "green card"), is currently in the US on a non-immigrant visa status (without a valid green card), or has applied for a visa to be allowed entry into the US.
Permanent residents, on the other hand, are those who have obtained their Green Card (Form I-551). They are not considered citizens of the United States but have many rights associated with citizens. They are also not considered international students and are, in fact, a special category. This means that permanent residents do not need any special visa or authorization from the International Student and Scholar Office to enrol at university. In addition, they may work on or off-campus without authorization.
An individual who has filed the I-485 application to adjust their status from a non-citizen to become a Permanent Resident is considered to be Pending for Permanent Residency (PR Pending or I-485 Pending). This status gives the individual legal status to remain in the US during this pending period. However, they do not automatically have the right to work but may apply for work permission using Form I-765.
It is important to note that permanent residence is not the same as citizenship. A US Permanent Resident Card, or green card, is a plastic card with the individual's biographic information, photo, fingerprint, and expiration date issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. If you have applied for US permanent residency, you will be considered an international student and be charged international student tuition rates, until you submit a copy of your green card to International Affairs (IA).
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Frequently asked questions
A permanent resident is someone who has obtained a Green Card (Form I-551) and has authorization to live and work in a country indefinitely but is not a citizen. An international student is a non-immigrant who enters a country temporarily for their education.
No, international students typically study in the US on non-immigrant visas. However, permanent residents do not need any special visa or authorization to enrol at US universities.
Yes, you can apply for a Green Card while studying in the US. However, it is recommended that you consult an immigration attorney for guidance.
Permanent residents have more rights than international students, including the right to work on and off-campus without authorization. They are also charged lower domestic tuition rates.
A permanent resident is not a citizen and does not have the right to vote or hold public office. They also cannot obtain a US passport or enter restricted job fields.
