What new LPRs and green card holders should do

Congrats on getting that LPR status as evidenced by your green card.

Please do the following:

• make a digital copy of the front and back of your new green card. A digital copy is made with devices such as a digital camera, document scanner, or smart phone. You can even make a photo copy of each side, and then use a device to make s digital copy.

• if you do not have an unrestricted SS card, go to SSA to get a new SS card.

1. Then on future I-9 forms for new jobs, you can use unexpired state ID or state drivers license in lieu of showing your green card. This is a great option for situations when your green card has expired or is lost. Even if you have a temporary I-551 or a green card extension letter, your employer is required to re-verify you when the temporary documents expire. An SS card never expires.

2. In addition, if SSA still thinks you are not an LPR, when you go to apply for SS benefits, if your green card is expired you will have a difficult time, especially if you are incapacitated.

• if you are a male under age 26, you must register for Selective Service at age 17 or older. Go to sss.gov .

• do not register to vote or vote in elections

• review your physical presence requirements at https://np.reddit.com/r/us_immigration/comments/nja5ds/understanding_the_6_month_and_one_year_rules_for/ . If you need to make an extended trip abroad, file for a re-entry permit

• In preparation for naturalization as soon as 3 years from now (less than 3 years if your spouse works abroad for a qualifying 319(b) employer),

1. create an account on irs.gov, and download all your tax return transcripts

2. Pay all the money you owe the IRS

3. File a tax return even if you do not have you. LPRs have a de facto requirement to file tax returns whether they need to or not.

4. Download your tax return transcript within a year of filing because it will be there for just 3 years, and when you file N-400 under the 5 year rule, you need 5 years of tax return transcripts

5. Keep track of the dates of your international travels, since your “resident since” date on your green card. You do not have to track day trips or over night trips, because the day of departure from the U.S. and the day of return to the U.S. count as days that are 100 percent in the U.S.

6. Trips of 181 or more consecutive days will break your 3/5 years of required continuous residence. Trips of 180 days or more will trigger a specific answer on your N-400 that you do not want. So limit absences to at most 179 consecutive days.