A permanent residence visa (or permanent residency) lets you live in a country on a long-term, settled basis without time-limited visa renewals. It is usually obtained after a qualifying period on a temporary visa and meeting set conditions.
By Krosz Editorial Team · Reviewed by Krosz Visa Operations · Published 2026-09-15 · Updated 2026-09-15
Purpose
Long-term settled residence in a country.
Who is it for?
People who have met a qualifying period and conditions on a temporary visa.
Typical application method
Application from within the country with residence, integration and support evidence.
Can Krosz help?
Krosz can help you understand the general permanent residence landscape and point you to specialist advisors. We are a private service and not a government authority.
Krosz does not publish fabricated processing times, fees, validity or stay durations. Country-specific figures appear only when pulled from Krosz's verified visa database.
Tell us where you're planning to travel and our team can help you understand the application process.
Overview
Permanent residence is a long-term status that lets you live, work and study in a country without the time limits of a temporary visa. It is not citizenship but often a step toward it.
It is usually obtained after living legally in the country on a qualifying visa (work, family, study, investment) for a set number of years and meeting integration, support and good-character conditions.
It differs from a temporary visa, which is time-limited and often tied to a sponsor or purpose. Permanent residence is broader and more secure.
Exemptions depend on your nationality, the destination and your circumstances — always confirm for your exact combination.
Activities
Long-term residence
Living in the country without visa renewals.
Open work rights
Working for any employer without sponsorship.
Travel in & out
Entering and leaving freely (with residence-card rules).
Family inclusion
Sponsoring close family in many routes.
What you normally cannot do
Documents
Only documents relevant to this category are shown. Exact requirements vary by country — confirm for your destination.
Passport
Valid with sufficient validity and blank pages.
Photograph
Recent photo meeting the destination's rules.
Application form
Completed permanent residence application.
Residence proof
Evidence of continuous lawful residence for the qualifying period.
Language & integration
Language test and integration evidence where required.
Support evidence
Proof of income and accommodation.
Character checks
Police clearance and good-character evidence.
Process
A category-specific application timeline. Steps may differ by destination and your circumstances.
Meet the qualifying period
Complete the required years of lawful residence.
Pass language/integration
Complete any required language or integration tests.
Gather evidence
Collect residence, income, accommodation and character proof.
Apply & pay
Submit the permanent residence application from within the country.
Assessment
The authority verifies residence, integration and character.
Decision
Receive permanent residence, often as a card.
Krosz tool
Tell us where you want to travel and your passport. We'll route you to the right Krosz visa page.
Destinations
Only destinations where Krosz has verified data for this purpose are shown. We never claim every country offers a visa with the same name.
Krosz does not currently process this visa category for specific destinations.
Contact the relevant embassy or authority for the country you plan to visit, or for guidance.
Comparison
| Point of comparison | Permanent Residence | Temporary Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | Long-term, not time-limited | Time-limited, renewable |
| Work | Open, any employer | Often tied to a sponsor |
| Path | After qualifying residence | The starting route |
| Toward citizenship | Often a prerequisite | Usually not directly |
Be prepared
General, educational reasons relevant to this category. We never publish invented refusal rates.
Practical
FAQ
Tell us where you're planning to travel and our team can help you understand the application process.
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Krosz is a private visa & travel assistance service — not a government website, agency or embassy. Visas are granted solely by the relevant government authorities.
Krosz is a private visa assistance platform and is not affiliated with any government or embassy. Visa decisions are made by the relevant authorities. Last reviewed: 2026-09-15.
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