In the United States, a resident alien refers to an individual who resides in the country but is not a citizen. This includes individuals who were born outside of the country, are under the jurisdiction of a foreign government, and have not obtained citizenship through naturalization.
A resident alien refers to a person who resides within a country’s borders but is not a citizen or subject of that country. In the United States, a resident alien is an individual who was born outside the jurisdiction of the United States, is subject to a foreign government, and has not been naturalized under U.S. law. For instance, a person from Mexico living in the United States with a green card is considered a resident alien. Similarly, a Canadian studying in the United States with a student visa is also classified as a resident alien. These examples demonstrate that a resident alien is someone who lacks citizenship in the country they reside in but possesses legal authorization to live there.
A Resident Alien is a foreign national who has been granted permission to live and work in the United States on a permanent basis.
There are several ways to become a Resident Alien, including through family sponsorship, employment sponsorship, or through the Diversity Visa Lottery program.
Resident Aliens have many of the same rights and privileges as U.S. citizens, including the ability to work and travel freely within the country.
No, only U.S. citizens are allowed to vote in federal elections.
Yes, Resident Aliens can be deported if they violate U.S. immigration laws or commit certain crimes.
Yes, after living in the U.S. for a certain period of time and meeting other eligibility requirements, a Resident Alien can apply for U.S. citizenship.
Yes, Resident Aliens can sponsor certain family members for immigration to the U.S.
No, Resident Aliens must have a valid work authorization document and can only work for employers who are authorized to hire non-citizens.
Yes, as long as they have a valid passport and travel documents, Resident Aliens can travel outside the U.S. and return.
Some government benefits, such as Social Security and Medicare, are available to Resident Aliens who meet certain eligibility requirements. However, other benefits, such as food stamps and Medicaid, may not be available to Resident Aliens.
This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
This glossary post was last updated: 17th April 2024.
To help you cite our definitions in your bibliography, here is the proper citation layout for the three major formatting styles, with all of the relevant information filled in.
- Page URL:https://dlssolicitors.com/define/resident-alien/
- Modern Language Association (MLA):Resident Alien. dlssolicitors.com. DLS Solicitors. May 09 2024 https://dlssolicitors.com/define/resident-alien/.
- Chicago Manual of Style (CMS):Resident Alien. dlssolicitors.com. DLS Solicitors. https://dlssolicitors.com/define/resident-alien/ (accessed: May 09 2024).
- American Psychological Association (APA):Resident Alien. dlssolicitors.com. Retrieved May 09 2024, from dlssolicitors.com website: https://dlssolicitors.com/define/resident-alien/
Our team of professionals are based in Alderley Edge, Cheshire. We offer clear, specialist legal advice in all matters relating to Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Probate, Lasting Power of Attorney and Court of Protection.
All author posts