When I first came to the U.S., just having a green card made me feel like I owned the world.
But as time goes on, I find myself wanting more.

"Is it right to obtain citizenship? Should I just live with my green card?"

U.S. Citizenship

By obtaining citizenship, you legally become an American.
What changes, you ask? First, you gain the right to vote.
This isn't just about casting a single vote,
but the right to choose whoever you want, from the president to the mayor and the school superintendent.
You can directly influence where your taxes go.

Traveling also becomes much easier.
With a U.S. passport, you can enter Europe, Japan, and Korea without a visa.
As long as you are careful about your passport not getting stolen, you can travel anywhere in the world with peace of mind.

Additionally, once you become a citizen, living outside the U.S. poses no problems.
Whether you live abroad for a few years or several decades, your citizenship is not revoked.
In contrast, if a permanent resident stays outside the U.S. for too long, they might be told 'not to come back.'

Moreover, citizens can invite a wider range of family members, including parents and siblings.
This means it becomes easier to bring family to the U.S.
Also, many federal government jobs are only available to citizens.
You can't even knock on the door of places like the FBI or the State Department without citizenship.

However, there are downsides.
Once you obtain citizenship, renouncing it is very complicated.
And no matter where you live, the IRS will find you.
You have to file taxes in the U.S. even while living abroad.
This can be quite stressful.

Furthermore, just because you obtained citizenship,
it doesn't automatically resolve issues for your spouse or children.
If your children live abroad for a long time, they might face tax disadvantages.

Permanent Residency

Permanent residency seems like the 'right to live forever,' but it's not completely 'forever.'
You need to renew it every ten years,
and if you stay away from the U.S. for too long, you might be denied entry.

Still, you can work, reside, and invite your spouse and children.
However, inviting siblings or parents is difficult and takes a long time.

In terms of taxes,
it might be slightly more advantageous than citizenship.
Especially if you have foreign income.
If you come from a country that doesn't allow dual citizenship,
maintaining permanent residency might be cleaner.

What are the downsides?
First, you don't have the right to vote.
This means you can't express any political opinions.
Also, social security benefits are more limited compared to citizens.
Some government assistance programs you can't even apply for. Moreover, if issues arise during renewal, it can be very stressful.

It depends on where you want to live and how long you plan to stay in the U.S.

If I plan to live in the U.S. long-term, send my kids to school here, participate in politics, and travel abroad frequently... citizenship is the answer.

On the other hand, if I might return to Korea later or don't think I'll stay in the U.S. for long, it might be wise to maintain permanent residency instead of dealing with tax issues after obtaining citizenship.