Green Card Daddy

What is a green card daddy?

An American male used to gain U.S. residency

A "green card daddy" is an American man who becomes the romantic partner of a foreign woman, with the implicit or explicit assumption that the relationship helps her obtain U.S. residency. The term is a play on "green card" (otherwise known as a "permanent resident card"), which is a document that grants a person the right to live and work permanently in the United States.

Green card daddies are typically older, single, or financially stable (but do not have to be wealthy) men who are either genuinely seeking love or are willing to overlook the possibility that immigration benefits may be a motivator. People commonly use it online in dating discussions (often on social media) and reality TV commentary.

The term gained popularity in the late 2010s and early 2020s, especially in Internet forums, memes, and commentary surrounding shows like 90 Day Fiancé. While you will likely see or hear people use it sarcastically or playfully, the phrase can also carry a critical undertone, highlighting perceived imbalances in age, culture, or intention between partners. For example, younger people, particularly women, often use it to poke fun at or critique relationships where immigration benefits seem to play a suspiciously significant role.

Example

Did you see Lina’s new boyfriend? Dude looks like he could be her dad
Girl… that is her green card daddy
No way! You think it’s like that?
I mean, they talked about marriage two weeks after meeting, and now she's talking about getting her papers sorted. Connect the dots
Reddit post regarding being a green card daddy
Reddit post regarding being a green card daddy

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Updated June 10, 2025

Green card daddy definition by Slang.net - The Slang Dictionary

This page explains what the slang term "Green card daddy" means. The definition, example, and related terms listed above have been manually compiled and written by the Slang.net team.

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