A green card is a United States permanent resident card that is issued by the US government affording non-citizens of the country to some of the rights that citizens enjoy. A green card in the USA can often result in the prospect of naturalization which is the only other way to become a citizen of a country short of birth. A green card is often the ultimate goal for an immigrant to the United States as it will allow them to dwell within the country for an indefinite period of time. Though a green card does not allow an individual certain rights that a citizen may enjoy such as voting and holding public office, it is an important step towards securing residency within the United States.