The top ten advantages of being a US citizen over being a permanent resident are:
1. No need to renew your green card. As a U.S. citizen, you will not need to renew the card proving your status as a lawful permanent resident every ten years. In addition, you will no longer need to carry your green card or proof of status on a daily basis (although you will need a US federal ID card or passport when you travel).
2. Reducing the risk of removal (deportation). Green card holders can be deported for committing certain crimes or other acts that meet the grounds for deportation in US immigration law. A US citizen cannot be deported. However, be aware that your U.S. citizenship can be revoked if USCIS finds that you lied to obtain lawful permanent residence or your U.S. citizenship.
3. Easier travel and re-entry to the US. You will no longer have to deal with lines of green card holders waiting to enter at airports, borders or other U.S. ports of entry. US citizens enter in separate lines and there is much less scrutiny. In addition, as a US citizen, you often enjoy easy entry into other countries around the world. In many cases you can visit foreign countries without a visa.
4. No loss of status after long trips outside the US. If you spend months or even years outside the United States, as a US citizen you do not risk losing your right to return. However, a permanent resident who leaves the United States for more than 180 days may lose the right to a green card upon return to the United States. The immigration officer may consider that the person has abandoned the Green Card. (If you currently know that you will be leaving the United States for more than six months, talk to an immigration lawyer. You may be able to get a re-entry permit before you leave).
5. Possibility of petitioning for more family members to immigrate. U.S. citizens can petition for more types of family members in the United States than green card holders. Only U.S. citizens can petition parents, siblings and married children. In addition, in cases where both US citizens and green card holders can petition (such as for spouses), the waiting time tends to be considerably shorter for US citizen relationships (with some exceptions; consult an attorney for details).
6. Possibility of passing on US citizenship to children who have green cards. When you become a U.S. citizen, your unmarried children under the age of 18 will also automatically become U.S. citizens. However, they must be legal permanent residents; must reside in the United States; and must be in the legal and physical custody of the naturalizing parent.
7. Ability to vote and run for public office. Only US citizens may vote. Naturalized U.S. citizens may run for most (but not all) elected public offices.
8. Ability to obtain government jobs, grants and other benefits. Some government jobs require US citizenship. These include many local, state and federal government positions. Many federal grants and scholarships are available only to US citizens.
9. Tax and estate planning benefits. U.S. citizens and permanent residents are not always treated the same for tax and estate planning purposes. Talk to a CPA about these issues.
10. Possibility of obtaining a US passport. U.S. citizens have the right to obtain a passport and the ability to obtain assistance from U.S. embassies and consulates when traveling to other countries.
Learn more about becoming a US citizen
If you meet the legal requirements and have no complications, becoming a US citizen is a fairly straightforward process. You start by filing the N-400 application and paying the application fee.
While you wait, you will need to prepare for the civics/government test and work on your English reading, writing and speaking skills.
Eventually (perhaps months later) you will have an appointment for fingerprinting and a background check. Then a few weeks or months later, you will be interviewed by a USCIS official and take the English and civics tests. Hopefully, you will be approved for naturalized citizenship at this interview.
The final step is the swearing-in ceremony where you will receive your certificate of naturalization and can enjoy the benefits described above.
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