Other pathways

Switzerland

Switzerland European Residence

Swiss residence for EU and EFTA citizens taking employment, running a genuine business, studying, or living on sufficient resources with health coverage.

residency Norway

Norway European Residence

Residence in Norway for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who will work, study, or support themselves under the applicable European mobility rules.

residency Iceland

Iceland Residence for European Citizens

EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can usually live in Iceland through free-movement rules rather than a national Icelandic residence permit. For a stay over…

residency Iceland

Iceland Short-Term Residence Permit

Iceland's short-term residence permit covers certain stays longer than 90 days and no more than 180 days. It is limited to extended visits with a spouse,…

residency Iceland

Iceland Special-Purpose Residence

Iceland has two narrow fallback residence routes: one for exceptional personal ties to Iceland, and one for a temporary legitimate special purpose. These…

residency Iceland

Iceland Working Holiday Residence

Iceland has a Working Holiday / Youth Mobility residence permit for young citizens of partner countries. It is a temporary cultural-exchange route with…

residency Denmark

Denmark European Residence

Residence in Denmark for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who will work, study, or support themselves under the applicable European mobility rules.

residency Sweden

Sweden European Residence

Residence in Sweden for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who will work, study, or support themselves under the applicable European mobility rules.

residency Germany

Germany Au Pair Residence

Germany's au pair residence route is for young adults who will live with a German-speaking host family and work as an au pair for a limited…

residency Germany

Germany Residence for EU Long-Term Residents

Germany can issue a residence permit to someone who already holds EU long-term resident status in another EU member state and wants to stay in Germany for…

residency Germany

Germany Residence for European Citizens

EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can live and work in Germany under free-movement rules. Address registration and longer-stay conditions still apply; Swiss…

residency Germany

Germany Right of Return Residence

Germany's right-of-return residence rule can help certain former long-term child residents return to Germany, and it also includes a rule for some people…

residency Germany

Germany Voluntary Service Residence

Germany's voluntary-service residence route is for people participating in a statutory national or European voluntary service, such as FSJ, FÖJ, BFD, or…

residency Germany

Germany Working Holiday or Youth Visa

Germany's working-holiday and youth-mobility residence route is for young adults from countries with bilateral agreements with Germany. It generally covers…

residency Ireland

Ireland European Citizen Residence

EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can enter Ireland and use free-movement rights for work, self-employment, study, or self-sufficient residence without an Irish…

residency Ireland

Ireland Residence Rights for British Citizens

British citizens can generally live, work and study in Ireland without an Irish visa, employment permit or immigration registration. These Common Travel…

other Ireland

Ireland Working Holiday Authorization

Eligible citizens of Ireland's partner countries can spend up to 12 months in Ireland on a working holiday, or up to 24 months for Canadians. Age, funds,…

residency Singapore

Singapore Work Holiday Pass

Singapore's Work Holiday Program is a capacity-limited, six-month pass for people aged 18 to 25 who are students or graduates of recognized universities in…

residency Australia

Australia Resident Return Visa

Australia's Resident Return visa lets current or former Australian permanent residents, and some former Australian citizens, regain or renew the travel…

residency Australia

Australia Visa for New Zealand Citizens

New Zealand citizens with a valid New Zealand passport generally do not need to apply for an Australian visa before travel. On entry, they can be granted a…

other Australia

Australia Work and Holiday Visa

Australia's Work and Holiday visa is a temporary route for young adults from eligible passport countries who want to holiday in Australia and work during…

residency Australia

Australia Working Holiday Visa

Australia's Working Holiday visa is a temporary route for young adults from eligible passport countries who want to holiday in Australia and work during…

residency Netherlands

Netherlands Au Pair Residence Permit

The Netherlands has an au pair residence route for young adults joining a host family through a recognized au pair agency for cultural exchange.

residency Netherlands

Netherlands Residence for European Citizens

EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens generally can live and work in the Netherlands without a Dutch residence permit, with free-movement conditions for stays over 3…

residency Netherlands

Netherlands Working Holiday Residence Permit

The Netherlands offers a one-year working holiday or working holiday scheme for young citizens of specific partner countries who want a cultural exchange…

residency Finland

Finland European Residence

Residence in Finland for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who will work, study, or support themselves under the applicable European mobility rules.

residency Belgium

Belgium Au Pair Residence

Belgium's au pair route is a cultural-exchange residence option for young people placed with a Belgian host family. It generally requires being in the…

residency Belgium

Belgium Residence Permit for Volunteers

Belgium has a volunteer authorization for third-country nationals participating in a voluntary service scheme recognized by the European Union. The…

residency Belgium

Belgium Residence for European Citizens

EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can live and work in Belgium through free-movement rights rather than a Belgian work visa. A stay beyond 3 months requires…

residency Belgium

Belgium Working Holiday Residence Permit

Belgium's Working Holiday Program is a temporary route for young citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Taiwan, and South Korea who want a…

residency United Kingdom

UK British National Overseas Visa

The UK British National (Overseas) visa is for eligible Hong Kong BN(O) status holders and certain adult children of BN(O) status holders. It can support a…

residency United Kingdom

UK Immigration Status Through Windrush

The Windrush Scheme helps eligible long-settled people get proof of their right to live and work in the UK, and in some cases apply for citizenship for…

other United Kingdom

UK India Young Professionals Scheme Visa

The UK India Young Professionals Scheme visa is for Indian citizens aged 18 to 30 who have a bachelor's-level qualification or higher and are selected in…

residency United Kingdom

UK Residence Rights for Irish Citizens

Irish citizens generally already have the right to live, work, study, and access many services in the UK under the Common Travel Area. This is not a visa…

other United Kingdom

UK Residence Status for EU Citizens

The EU Settlement Scheme protects UK residence rights for eligible EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens and qualifying family members connected to pre-2021 UK…

residency United Kingdom

UK Youth Mobility Scheme Visa

The UK Youth Mobility Scheme visa is for young adults from participating countries and territories who want to live and work in the UK temporarily. It…

residency New Zealand

New Zealand Australian Resident Visa

Australian citizens and permanent residents can generally live, work, and study in New Zealand, subject to entry and character checks. Permanent residents…

other New Zealand

New Zealand Family Violence Resident Visa

A person whose partnership with a New Zealand citizen or resident has ended may qualify for residence after experiencing family violence. They must also…

residency New Zealand

New Zealand Pacific Access Resident Visa

New Zealand's Pacific Access Category Resident Visa is a ballot-based residence route for eligible citizens of Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga, and Tuvalu aged 18 to…

residency New Zealand

New Zealand Refugee Family Resident Visa

An eligible refugee-background New Zealand citizen or resident can register to sponsor certain relatives for residence. The category has 600 places a year…

residency New Zealand

New Zealand Samoan Quota Resident Visa

New Zealand's Samoan Quota Resident Visa is a ballot-based residence route for Samoan citizens aged 18 to 45 who are selected and can meet job-offer,…

residency New Zealand

New Zealand U.S. Working Holiday Visa

New Zealand's USA Working Holiday Visa lets eligible U.S. citizens aged 18 to 30 holiday, work, and study in New Zealand for up to 12 months. It generally…

residency Canada

Canada French-Speaking Community Residence

Canada's Francophone Community Immigration Pilot is a permanent-residence route for French-speaking skilled workers with a job offer from a designated…

residency Canada

Canada Residence for Former State-Care Youth

Canada has a temporary public-policy permanent-residence pathway for certain foreign nationals in Canada who came as children, were under state care, and…

residency Canada

Canada Rural Community Permanent Residence

Canada's Rural Community Immigration Pilot is a permanent-residence route for skilled workers with a job offer from a designated employer in one of the…

residency Canada

Canada Youth Mobility Work Permit

Temporary Canadian work permits for eligible people aged 18 to 35 with support from an approved International Experience Canada organization. This option…

residency South Korea

South Korea Working Holiday Visa

Korea's H-1 Working Holiday visa is for eligible young people from countries or regions with a working-holiday agreement with Korea. It generally requires…

residency Luxembourg

Luxembourg Long-Term Resident Status

Luxembourg EU long-term resident status is for non-EU citizens who have already lived legally and continuously in Luxembourg for about five years. It…

residency Luxembourg

Luxembourg Residence for EU Residents

Non-EU citizens who already hold formal EU long-term resident status from another participating EU country may have a route to live in Luxembourg for work,…

residency Luxembourg

Luxembourg Residence for European Citizens

EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can usually live in Luxembourg through free-movement rights rather than a Luxembourg national visa. For stays over three…

residency Luxembourg

Luxembourg Trainee or Volunteer Residence

Luxembourg has narrow residence routes for some trainees, volunteers, pupils, and au pairs. These routes generally require a real host, program, agreement,…

residency United States

U.S. Cuban Adjustment Act Green Card

The Cuban Adjustment Act can allow certain Cuban natives or citizens, and some qualifying family members, to apply for a U.S. green card after being…

residency United States

U.S. Diversity Visa

Selection in the Diversity Visa program can lead to U.S. permanent residence, but the State Department currently pauses consular DV issuance. Selection, an…

residency United States

U.S. Family-Abuse Survivor Green Card

VAWA self-petitioning can help certain abused spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents seek immigration protection…

residency United States

U.S. Protection Through Asylum

U.S. asylum is a protection route for people already in the United States, or arriving at the border, who fear persecution in their home country for a…

residency United States

U.S. Refugee Protection and Resettlement

U.S. refugee resettlement is for qualifying people outside the United States. Ordinary processing and admissions are suspended, with only narrow…

residency United States

U.S. Special Immigrant Juvenile Green Card

Special Immigrant Juvenile classification can lead to a green card for certain young people in the United States who have a qualifying state-court order…

residency United States

U.S. T Visa for Trafficking Survivors

The T visa is a protection route for certain survivors of severe human trafficking who are in the United States because of trafficking and meet cooperation…

residency United States

U.S. Temporary Protected Status

Temporary Protected Status can protect eligible nationals of designated countries, and some stateless people who last lived there, who are already in the…

residency United States

U.S. U Visa for Victims of Certain Crimes

The U visa is a protection route for certain victims of qualifying crimes who suffered substantial harm and were helpful, are being helpful, or are likely…

residency Austria

Austria European Residence

Residence in Austria for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who will work, study, or support themselves under the applicable European mobility rules.

residency Slovenia

Slovenia European Residence

Residence in Slovenia for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who will work, study, or support themselves under the applicable European mobility rules.

residency Japan

Japan Working Holiday Visa

Japan’s working-holiday arrangements let eligible young people from partner countries or territories combine a holiday with incidental work. A US…

residency Malta

Malta European Residence

Residence in Malta for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who will work, study, or support themselves under the applicable European mobility rules.

residency Spain

Spain Residence for European Citizens

EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens generally have a free-movement right to live, work, study, seek work, or retire in Spain, subject to registration and support…

residency Spain

Spain Residence for People Already in Spain

Spain's current arraigo routes are exceptional-circumstances residence authorizations for certain non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals already in Spain who fit a…

residency France

France Au Pair Visa

France's young au pair route is for non-European young adults who will live with a host family in France to improve their French and cultural knowledge. It…

residency France

France Long-Term Resident Card

France's EU long-term resident card is for non-EU citizens with five years of legal and uninterrupted residence on specified qualifying statuses. It also…

residency France

France Residence for European Citizens

EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can usually live in France through free-movement rights rather than a French national visa. For stays over three months, the…

residency France

France Working Holiday Visa

France's working holiday visa is a temporary route for young adults from countries that have a working-holiday agreement with France. It generally requires…

residency Cyprus

Cyprus European Residence

Residence in Cyprus for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who will work, study, or support themselves under the applicable European mobility rules.

residency Italy

Italy Residence for European Citizens

EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens generally have a free-movement right to live, work, study, seek work, or retire in Italy, subject to registration and support…

residency Italy

Italy Working Holiday Visa

Italy has temporary working-holiday or youth-mobility visas for eligible citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea. The stay is…

residency Estonia

Estonia Digital Business ID

Estonia e-Residency is a government-issued digital identity for global entrepreneurs who want remote access to Estonian digital business services. It can…

other Estonia

Estonia European Residence

Residence in Estonia for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who will work, study, or support themselves under the applicable European mobility rules.

residency Czechia (Czech Republic)

Czechia European Citizen Residence

EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens may enter, live, work, study, or do business in Czechia without a Czech visa or work permit; a registration certificate is…

residency Greece

Greece European Residence

Residence in Greece for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who will work, study, or support themselves under the applicable European mobility rules.

residency Poland

Poland Long-Term Resident Permit

Poland's EU long-term resident permit is for non-EU citizens who have already built a long, legal, continuous stay in Poland. It usually requires 5 years…

residency Poland

Poland Permanent Residence Permit

Poland's permanent residence permit is for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens who already live in Poland and have a specific statutory ground. It can cover…

residency Poland

Poland Residence for European Citizens

EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens generally have a free-movement right to live, work, study, seek work, or retire in Poland, subject to registration and support…

residency Lithuania

Lithuania European Residence

Residence in Lithuania for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who will work, study, or support themselves under the applicable European mobility rules.

residency Croatia

Croatia European Residence

Residence in Croatia for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who will work, study, or support themselves under the applicable European mobility rules.

residency Portugal

Portugal Long-Term Resident Permit

Third-country nationals who already hold EU long-term resident status in another EU member state may have a route to live in Portugal for work, study,…

residency Portugal

Portugal Residence for European Citizens

EU, EEA, Andorran, and Swiss citizens generally have a free-movement right to live, work, study, seek work, or retire in Portugal, subject to registration…

residency Portugal

Portugal Residence for Portuguese Speakers

Portugal's CPLP residence route is for citizens of participating Portuguese-speaking countries who hold a residence visa and meet the standard residence…

residency Portugal

Portugal Youth Mobility Visa for Americans

Portugal's youth-mobility route lets eligible U.S. citizens who are enrolled in a U.S. accredited post-secondary institution or recently graduated stay in…

residency Latvia

Latvia European Residence

Residence in Latvia for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who will work, study, or support themselves under the applicable European mobility rules.

residency Chile

Chile Residence for South Americans

Citizens of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay may use Chile's MERCOSUR reciprocity temporary-residence category. It is based on…

residency Slovakia

Slovakia European Residence

Residence in Slovakia for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who will work, study, or support themselves under the applicable European mobility rules.

residency Hungary

Hungary European Residence

Residence in Hungary for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who will work, study, or support themselves under the applicable European mobility rules.

residency Argentina

Argentina Medical Treatment Residence

Temporary residence for medical treatment whose complexity or risk requires a stay in Argentina. Certain close relatives or legal caregivers may accompany…

residency Argentina

Argentina Permanent Residence

Permanent residence is available through qualifying temporary-residence history, Brazilian nationality, or being born abroad to an Argentine parent. The…

residency Argentina

Argentina Residence for South Americans

Argentina's MERCOSUR route gives two-year temporary residence to qualifying nationals of listed South American countries, subject to identity,…

residency Argentina

Argentina Working Holiday Visa

Young adults from Argentina’s working-holiday partner countries can apply for a stay of up to 12 months with incidental work. Age limits, residence…

residency Uruguay

Uruguay General Permanent Residence

A foreign national outside Uruguay's special Mercosur-nationality route can apply for permanent residence by showing a genuine intention to settle and a…

residency Uruguay

Uruguay South American Permanent Residence

Nationals of eleven listed Mercosur member and associated countries can apply directly for permanent residence in Uruguay based on nationality.

residency Uruguay

Uruguay South American Temporary Residence

Nationals of eleven listed Mercosur member and associated countries who specifically want a limited stay can apply for two-year temporary residence in…

residency Romania

Romania European Residence

Residence in Romania for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who will work, study, or support themselves under the applicable European mobility rules.

residency Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago CSME Residence

Citizens of participating CSME states in approved occupational categories may live and work in Trinidad and Tobago without an ordinary work permit after…

residency Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Kitts and Nevis CSME Residence

Covered CARICOM citizens with a Skills Certificate accepted by Saint Kitts and Nevis can seek or take employment without an ordinary work permit. The…

residency Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Kitts and Nevis OECS Residence

Citizens of the other independent OECS Economic Union countries can live and work in Saint Kitts and Nevis indefinitely without a work permit or Skills…

residency Thailand

Thailand Long-Stay Membership Visa

Thailand Privilege is a fee-paid membership and long-stay visa program for foreign passport holders who pass the program's immigration and background…

residency Bulgaria

Bulgaria European Residence

Residence in Bulgaria for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who will work, study, or support themselves under the applicable European mobility rules.

residency Barbados

Barbados CSME Skilled National Residence

Citizens of participating CSME states in approved occupational categories may live and work in Barbados without an ordinary work permit after obtaining…

residency Barbados

Barbados Free Movement Residence

Citizens of Belize, Dominica, or Saint Vincent and the Grenadines can live and work in Barbados indefinitely under CARICOM full free movement. Entry checks…

residency Grenada

Grenada CSME Skilled National Residence

Citizens of participating CSME states in approved occupational categories may live and work in Grenada without an ordinary work permit after obtaining and…

residency Grenada

Grenada OECS Residence

Citizens of the other independent OECS Economic Union countries can live and work in Grenada indefinitely without a work permit or Skills Certificate. They…

residency Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda OECS Residence

Citizens of the other independent OECS Economic Union countries can live and work in Antigua and Barbuda indefinitely without a work permit or Skills…

residency Mexico

Mexico Residence by Institutional Invitation

Mexico can issue Temporary Residence for some people invited by a Mexican public or private institution for a non-remunerated activity lasting more than…

residency Palau

Palau U.S. Compact Residence

U.S. citizens can use the Compact of Free Association as a basis to seek admission, reside, and take lawful employment in Palau.

residency Montserrat

Montserrat OECS Residence

Qualifying citizens of the independent OECS Economic Union countries can seek indefinite permission to remain in Montserrat and work without an ordinary…

residency Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic Ordinary Residence

Ordinary temporary residence, currently labeled RT-9, is an annual status for foreign nationals settling in the Dominican Republic. It requires a residence…

residency Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia CSME Residence

Covered CARICOM citizens with a Skills Certificate accepted by Saint Lucia can seek or take employment without an ordinary work permit. The destination…

residency Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia OECS Residence

Citizens of the other independent OECS Economic Union countries can live and work in Saint Lucia indefinitely without a work permit or Skills Certificate.…

residency Ecuador

Ecuador Residence for Andean Citizens

Temporary residence for Bolivian, Colombian, and Peruvian citizens under the Andean migration agreement.

residency Ecuador

Ecuador South American Agreement Residence

Citizens of covered South American countries can apply for two years of temporary residence in Ecuador under the MERCOSUR agreement, then seek permanent…

residency Peru

Peru Residence for South Americans

Peru's MERCOSUR route gives eligible South American nationals two years of temporary residence. The temporary status cannot be renewed, but a holder may…

residency Brazil

Brazil Residence Through Nationality

A two-year residence process for eligible citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries who are already in Brazil.

residency Brazil

Brazil Residence for Neighboring Nationals

Two-year residence for citizens of Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname who apply inside Brazil.

residency Brazil

Brazil Residence for South Americans

Brazil's MERCOSUR Residence Agreement route is for citizens of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay. It grants…

residency Colombia

Colombia Residence for Andean Citizens

A two-year Migrant visa for citizens of Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru under the Andean migration agreement.

residency Colombia

Colombia Residence for South Americans

This nationality-based Migrant visa is available to citizens of the Mercosur residence-agreement states for which Colombia currently applies reciprocity.…

residency Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Saint Vincent Temporary Residence

People planning an extended stay in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines can apply for temporary residence. Cabinet reviews each application individually;…

residency Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

St. Vincent Free Movement Residence

Citizens of Barbados, Belize, or Dominica can live and work in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines indefinitely under CARICOM full free movement. Entry checks…

residency Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

St. Vincent OECS Residence

Citizens of the other independent OECS Economic Union countries can live and work in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines indefinitely without a work permit or…

residency Jamaica

Jamaica CSME Skilled National Residence

Qualifying CARICOM nationals with a Skills Certificate recognized for Jamaica can seek or take work without an ordinary work permit. Citizenship alone is…

residency Dominica

Dominica Free Movement Residence

Citizens of Barbados, Belize, or Saint Vincent and the Grenadines can live and work in Dominica indefinitely under CARICOM full free movement. Entry checks…

residency Dominica

Dominica OECS Residence

Citizens of the other independent OECS Economic Union countries can live and work in Dominica indefinitely without a work permit or Skills Certificate.…

residency Paraguay

Paraguay General Temporary Residence

Temporary residence for foreign nationals settling in Paraguay for a lawful activity.

residency Paraguay

Paraguay Residence for South Americans

Citizens of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, or Uruguay can apply in person for Paraguay's two-year, nonrenewable MERCOSUR…

residency Belize

Belize CSME Residence

Covered CARICOM citizens with a Skills Certificate accepted by Belize can seek or take employment without an ordinary work permit. The destination must…

residency Belize

Belize Free Movement Residence

Citizens of Barbados, Dominica, or Saint Vincent and the Grenadines can live and work in Belize indefinitely under CARICOM full free movement. Entry checks…

residency Micronesia

Micronesia U.S. Compact Residence

U.S. citizens can use the Compact of Free Association as a basis to seek admission, reside, and take lawful employment in Federated States of Micronesia.

residency Marshall Islands

Marshall Islands U.S. Compact Residence

U.S. citizens can use the Compact of Free Association as a basis to seek admission, reside, and take lawful employment in Marshall Islands.

residency Nigeria

Nigeria ECOWAS Residence

Eligible citizens of other ECOWAS countries can use regional residence arrangements to live in Nigeria. They must complete Nigerian registration and the…

residency Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe Visitor Visa

Adults who need a visa and want to spend more than three months in Guadeloupe for private reasons may apply for a French overseas long-stay visitor visa if…

residency Martinique

Martinique Residence for European Citizens

EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can establish residence in Martinique under French free-movement rules. For a stay over three months, work, study, or…

residency Martinique

Martinique Visitor Visa

Adults who need a visa and want to spend more than three months in Martinique for private reasons may apply for a French overseas long-stay visitor visa if…

residency Saint Barthélemy

Saint Barthélemy Visitor Visa

Adults who need a visa and want to spend more than three months in Saint Barthélemy for private reasons may apply for a French overseas long-stay visitor…

residency Saint Martin (French part)

Saint Martin Visitor Visa

Adults who need a visa and want to spend more than three months in Saint Martin (French part) for private reasons may apply for a French overseas long-stay…

residency Curacao

Curaçao Residence for Dutch and U.S. Citizens

Adult Dutch and U.S. citizens can use Curaçao’s admission-by-law declaration procedure if they meet its requirements. They must document their purpose,…

residency