Permanent residence

Permanent residence gives a non-citizen the right to live in a country with no time limit on their stay. Names differ: in the US it is lawful permanent residence, shown by a “green card”; in the UK it is indefinite leave to remain; the EU has a long-term resident status alongside national permanent permits. It is usually obtained after a period of lawful residence on temporary permits, through work, family ties, investment or international protection, and often requires language skills, knowledge of the country, sufficient income and a clean record. Permanent residents can generally work, study and use many public services on similar terms to citizens.

Permanent residence falls short of citizenship. Holders usually cannot vote in national elections or hold that country’s passport, and the status can often be lost through long absences or, in some countries, serious crimes. It is frequently a step towards naturalisation. It is also distinct from tax residency: in most countries, holding permanent residence does not by itself make you tax resident, although the US treats green card holders as tax residents under its own rules. For investors, a golden visa may lead to permanent residence in some countries, but usually only after years of renewals and meeting presence requirements. Rules change often, so check official sources.