Explore your options
Find citizenship and residency pathways by where you want to go, or what brings you there.
1608 pathways to explore
Switzerland
This residence pathway is for people with a qualifying job offer, employer sponsorship, or skilled-work profile in Switzerland. It generally requires the…
Norway
Norway permits adults with a confirmed full-time seasonal job or holiday-replacement job to work temporarily. Normal Norwegian pay, employer checks, and…
Norway
This residence pathway is for founders, business owners, or self-employed applicants who will run real activity in Norway. It generally requires a credible…
Norway
This residence pathway is for people with a qualifying job offer, employer sponsorship, or skilled-work profile in Norway. It generally requires the role…
Iceland
Iceland's work residence route is for non-EEA/EFTA citizens with a job offer or qualifying contract on the Icelandic labor market. Categories include…
Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s entrepreneur route assesses an active business and its contribution to the local economy. It is separate from the capital-investment entrant…
Hong Kong
Hong Kong's nonlocal graduate route lets qualifying graduates remain or return for work, with more flexible rules for applications made soon after…
Hong Kong
Hong Kong's skilled employment route is for professionals with a confirmed local job that uses their education, technical skills, or substantial relevant…
Hong Kong
Hong Kong's Quality Migrant Admission Scheme is a selective talent route for highly skilled or exceptionally accomplished people who want to settle in Hong…
Hong Kong
Hong Kong's Top Talent Pass Scheme lets certain high earners and graduates of eligible universities move without first securing a Hong Kong job offer.
Denmark
Denmark’s Fast-Track Scheme lets a SIRI-certified employer recruit under one of five work-permit tracks. The employer must support the application, and…
Denmark
This residence pathway is for founders building a startup or innovative business in Denmark. It generally requires an eligible business idea, enough…
Denmark
Denmark's Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme covers qualifying full-time jobs paying at least DKK 446,000 a year in 2026, compared with DKK 552,000 under the…
Denmark
Denmark's Pay Limit route is for people offered a high-enough salary by a Danish employer. It generally requires a qualifying employment contract,…
Denmark
This is a Danish work-residence route for people offered jobs in occupations Denmark lists as short of qualified workers. It generally requires a…
Sweden
Sweden’s EU Blue Card is for highly qualified employment lasting at least six months. Applicants need qualifying higher education or professional…
Sweden
Graduates with an advanced-level degree can seek a Swedish permit to look for work or explore a business. The application must be made from outside Sweden,…
Sweden
This residence pathway is for founders, business owners, or self-employed applicants who will run real activity in Sweden. It generally requires a credible…
Sweden
This residence pathway is for people with a qualifying job offer, employer sponsorship, or skilled-work profile in Sweden. It generally requires the role…
Germany
Germany has special work rules for professional athletes, coaches, and esports professionals. The route generally requires age 16 or older, employment by a…
Germany
Germany's Freelancer Visa is for self-employed liberal professionals, such as artists, writers, teachers, consultants, scientists, doctors, engineers, and…
Germany
Germany's ICT Card is for intra-corporate transferees sent from a company outside the EU to a German entity in the same undertaking or group. It generally…
Germany
Germany's Opportunity Card is a job-search residence route for skilled workers who do not yet have a German job offer. It generally requires either full…
Germany
Germany's recognition partnership route is for people with a foreign degree or vocational qualification and a German employer willing to support…
Germany
Germany's researcher visa is for people with a hosting agreement or work contract with a German research institution. It generally requires PhD-level or…
Germany
Germany's self-employed business residence route is for people starting or operating a commercial business in Germany. It generally requires an economic…
Germany
This is an EU Blue Card residence pathway for highly qualified workers with a qualifying job offer in Germany. It generally requires higher education or…
Germany
Germany's visa for professionally experienced workers is for people with recent qualified work experience and a German job offer in a non-regulated…
Germany
Germany's assistant nursing work route is for third-country nationals with a concrete German job offer as an assistant in nursing and qualifying German or…
Germany
Germany's employed artist route is for artists working as employees in Germany's cultural or entertainment sector. It generally requires a German employer…
Germany
Germany's language teacher route is for teachers of their native language who will teach at a German school or work freelance. Employed school teachers…
Germany
Germany's professional driver route is for third-country nationals who will work as HGV or bus drivers and meet the licensing, initial-qualification,…
Germany
Germany's recognition-measures visa is for people whose foreign qualification has been found only partially equivalent and who need to complete training,…
Germany
Germany's work visa for qualified professionals is for people with recognized academic or vocational qualifications and a specific qualified job offer in…
Ireland
The Critical Skills Employment Permit is for non-EEA workers with a qualifying two-year Irish job offer. The job must meet the occupation, qualifications…
Ireland
A General Employment Permit lets a non-EEA worker take a qualifying Irish job. The occupation, pay, employer and recruitment process must meet the permit…
Ireland
A non-EEA senior manager, key employee, or trainee may transfer temporarily from an overseas company to a connected Irish entity under an Intra-Company…
Ireland
Ireland's Start-up Entrepreneur Program offers residence to founders with an innovative business proposal and at least €50,000 in funding. The business…
Singapore
Singapore's EntrePass is for founders of innovative, venture-oriented businesses that Singapore wants to attract. It generally requires a qualifying…
Singapore
Singapore's ONE Pass is a five-year personalized pass for top earners and people with outstanding achievements. A separate AI and Tech track has been…
Singapore
The Employment Pass is an employer-filed route for foreign professionals, managers, and executives. The job must meet an age- and sector-adjusted…
Singapore
The S Pass is an employer-filed route for skilled foreign employees. The job must meet the salary for the applicant's age and sector, and the employer must…
Australia
This residence pathway is for high-achieving or specialized applicants whose work fits Australia's priority talent categories. It generally requires strong…
Australia
Australia's Employer Nomination Scheme is a permanent residence route for workers nominated by an Australian employer. It generally requires a qualifying…
Australia
Australia's Subclass 494 is a provisional employer-sponsored route for skilled workers nominated by an employer in designated regional Australia. It…
Australia
Australia's Skilled Independent visa is a points-tested permanent residence route for skilled workers who do not need employer or state sponsorship. It…
Australia
Australia's Skilled Nominated visa is a points-tested permanent residence route for skilled workers nominated by a state or territory. It generally…
Australia
Australia's Subclass 191 visa is the permanent-residence step for people who have held an eligible regional provisional visa for at least 3 years and…
Australia
Australia's Skilled Work Regional visa is a provisional points-tested route for skilled workers sponsored by a state, territory, or eligible family member…
Australia
Australia's Skills in Demand visa is for people sponsored by an Australian employer for a qualifying role. It generally requires employer sponsorship, a…
Australia
Australia's Training visa is a temporary route for workplace-based occupational training or professional development. It generally requires an approved…
Netherlands
Managers, specialists, and trainee employees may be able to transfer from a company outside the EU to a Dutch branch under the EU intra-corporate…
Netherlands
The Dutch-American Friendship Treaty route is for U.S. entrepreneurs and self-employed applicants who want to run a business in the Netherlands. It…
Netherlands
The Netherlands has a residence route for researchers, doctoral candidates, and some mobility researchers hosted by a recognized Dutch research…
Netherlands
The Netherlands has a seasonal-work route, usually through a single permit, for short agricultural or horticultural work of up to 24 weeks.
Netherlands
The Netherlands has a self-employed residence route for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and self-employed artists whose work serves an essential Dutch economic…
Netherlands
The Dutch single permit, or GVVA, combines residence and work authorization for many paid-employment roles that do not fit a more specialized Dutch work…
Netherlands
This is an EU Blue Card residence pathway for highly qualified workers with a qualifying job offer in the Netherlands. It generally requires higher…
Netherlands
The Netherlands has a pilot route for essential employees of innovative Dutch start-ups, generally requiring a qualifying start-up, expertise, salary, and…
Netherlands
This residence pathway is for founders building a startup or innovative business in the Netherlands. It generally requires an eligible business idea,…
Netherlands
The Netherlands Highly Skilled Migrant route is for employees with a Dutch employment contract, an IND-recognized sponsor, qualifying pay, and a salary in…
Liechtenstein
Residence tied to a job with an employer in Liechtenstein that can complete the required hiring and immigration steps.
Finland
Finland’s EU Blue Card covers highly qualified jobs lasting at least six months. Applicants need qualifying education or equivalent professional skills…
Finland
Finland’s employed-person permit covers many jobs outside its specialist routes. A confirmed job, adequate guaranteed pay, the required skills, and…
Finland
An active owner of a viable Finnish business can apply for entrepreneur residence. The business must support the applicant through its income, and the…
Finland
This residence pathway is for people with a qualifying job offer, employer sponsorship, or skilled-work profile in Finland. It generally requires the role…
Finland
This residence pathway is for founders building a startup or innovative business in Finland. It generally requires an eligible business idea, enough…
Belgium
Belgium's Single Permit is the main residence-and-work route for non-EU employees who will work in Belgium for more than 90 days. It generally requires a…
Belgium
Belgium's ICT route lets some managers, specialists, and trainee employees transfer temporarily from a company outside the EU to a Belgian entity in the…
Belgium
Belgium's researcher route is for non-EU researchers with a hosting agreement from an approved Belgian research organization. It generally requires an…
Belgium
Belgium has a narrow seasonal-worker permit for third-country nationals whose main residence remains outside the EU and who will work temporarily in…
Belgium
Belgium's professional card route is for non-EU nationals who want to run a self-employed activity in Belgium. It generally requires a credible business or…
Belgium
Belgium's EU Blue Card is for highly qualified non-EU workers with a qualifying Belgian job offer. It generally requires higher professional…
Belgium
Belgium has a trainee authorization for third-country nationals with a higher-education degree, or who are pursuing one, who will complete a professional…
Bermuda
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Bermuda, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
British Virgin Islands
A non-Belonger with a specific job and an employer ready to complete the local recruitment and permit process may seek permission to work in the British…
Gibraltar
Running an approved local business can support a residence application in Gibraltar. The business and your personal role must qualify.
Gibraltar
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Gibraltar, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Pitcairn Islands
Pitcairn’s two-year settlement visa allows people whose skills can contribute to the island community to seek approval to settle permanently.
Pitcairn Islands
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Pitcairn, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
United Kingdom
The UK Frontier Worker permit is a post-Brexit route for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who live outside the UK but started working in the UK by 31…
United Kingdom
The UK Scale-up Worker visa is for people recruited into eligible jobs by approved fast-growing UK businesses. It generally requires a sponsored job offer…
United Kingdom
The UK Global Talent visa is for leaders or potential leaders in academia or research, arts and culture, or digital technology. It generally requires…
United Kingdom
The UK Health and Care Worker visa is for qualified medical, health, and adult social care professionals with an eligible UK job offer from an approved…
United Kingdom
The UK Innovator Founder visa is for founders setting up and running an innovative, viable, and scalable business in the UK. It generally requires…
United Kingdom
The UK International Sportsperson visa is for elite sportspersons and qualified coaches endorsed by their sport's governing body and sponsored by a UK…
United Kingdom
The UK Minister of Religion visa is for people offered a job within a faith community, such as a minister, missionary, or member of a religious order, by a…
United Kingdom
The UK Representative of an Overseas Business visa is now mainly for employees of overseas newspapers, news agencies, or broadcasting organizations posted…
United Kingdom
The UK Overseas Domestic Worker visa is a short-stay route for domestic workers accompanying their overseas employer to the UK. It is usually limited to up…
United Kingdom
The UK Skilled Worker visa is for people with a qualifying UK job offer from a licensed employer sponsor. It generally requires a Certificate of…
United Kingdom
The UK Temporary Work category covers short-term sponsored routes such as Seasonal Worker, Creative Worker, Religious Worker, Charity Worker, Government…
United Kingdom
The UK High Potential Individual visa is for recent graduates of universities on the UK's Global Universities List. It does not require a job offer, but…
United Kingdom
UK Global Business Mobility visas are temporary work routes for people being assigned to the UK by an overseas employer or contract relationship. They can…
New Zealand
The Accredited Employer Work Visa lets you take a specific New Zealand job with an approved employer. You need a qualifying offer for at least 30 hours a…
New Zealand
Experienced business owners or senior managers can seek New Zealand residence by buying and actively running an established business. Invest at least NZD 1…
New Zealand
New Zealand's Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa is for people aged 55 or younger who have completed qualifying New Zealand care-sector work and have a…
New Zealand
People already running a qualifying New Zealand business may be able to apply for residence after two years. A restricted six-month option is available to…
New Zealand
A religious worker aged 55 or younger may seek New Zealand residence after three qualifying years on a Religious Worker Work Visa. The route requires…
New Zealand
New Zealand’s Religious Worker Work Visa allows qualifying religious duties for a sponsoring religious charity for up to 2 years. Applicants need at…
New Zealand
New Zealand's Skilled Migrant Category offers residence to people aged 55 or younger with a qualifying local job and either enough points, qualifying work…
New Zealand
This temporary visa allows work on a specific assignment, project or event accepted by Immigration New Zealand. You must show why you are needed, how long…
New Zealand
A qualifying job or offer in a Tier 1 Green List occupation can lead directly to New Zealand residence. You must be 55 or younger and meet the employer,…
New Zealand
New Zealand's Transport Work to Residence Visa is for people aged 55 or younger who have completed qualifying New Zealand transport work and have a current…
New Zealand
This is a skilled-work residence pathway for people whose occupation is on a priority or shortage list in New Zealand. It generally requires a qualifying…
Niue
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Niue, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Tokelau
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Tokelau, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
United Arab Emirates
This residence pathway is for people with a qualifying job offer, employer sponsorship, or skilled-work profile in the United Arab Emirates. It generally…
United Arab Emirates
A 10-year self-sponsored residence route for qualifying entrepreneurs with an approved business idea, a UAE venture with at least AED 1 million in annual…
United Arab Emirates
The UAE talent Golden Visa is for people in official specialist categories such as doctors, scientists, creatives, athletes, executives, and other…
United Arab Emirates
The UAE Green Visa is a self-sponsored residence route for skilled employees, freelancers, self-employed professionals, investors, and business partners.…
Canada
The Atlantic Immigration Program is a permanent-residence route for skilled workers and recent Atlantic Canada graduates with a job offer from a designated…
Canada
Canada's employer-specific work permit is the main temporary work route for people with a Canadian job offer. It usually ties the worker to a specific…
Canada
Express Entry's Canadian Experience Class is for skilled workers with qualifying Canadian work experience. It generally requires eligible work history,…
Canada
Canada has doctor-focused permanent-residence support through Express Entry, provincial nomination, and faster work-permit processing for nominated…
Canada
This Canadian residence pathway is for people whose skills, work history, job offer, or local ties match a province or territory's needs. It generally…
Canada
Quebec business immigration covers investor, entrepreneur, and self-employed worker routes for applicants who want to settle in Quebec and build, buy,…
Canada
Quebec's skilled-worker selection route is for people whose profile fits Quebec's labor and integration priorities. It generally requires qualifying under…
Canada
Express Entry's Federal Skilled Trades route is for people with qualifying skilled-trade experience. It generally requires trade experience, language…
Canada
Express Entry's Federal Skilled Worker route is for skilled workers with foreign or Canadian work experience who meet Canada's points and selection rules.…
Canada
Canada's CUSMA professional route is for U.S. or Mexican citizens in listed professions who have a qualifying Canadian professional role. It generally…
South Korea
Korea's E-7 status is for people hired or invited by a Korean organization for one of Korea's designated professional, technical, semi-professional, or…
Luxembourg
Luxembourg has a narrow residence route for some third-country sports players and coaches. It generally requires a real Luxembourg sports contract or host,…
Luxembourg
Luxembourg's intra-corporate transfer route is for managers, specialists, and trainee employees transferred within the same company group to Luxembourg. It…
Luxembourg
Luxembourg's posted-worker route is for some third-country employees sent temporarily to Luxembourg by an employer established outside Luxembourg. It…
Luxembourg
Luxembourg researcher residence is for third-country researchers hosted by an approved research organization in Luxembourg. It generally requires a signed…
Luxembourg
This residence pathway is for people with a qualifying job offer, employer sponsorship, or skilled-work profile in Luxembourg. It generally requires the…
Luxembourg
Luxembourg seasonal worker residence is for third-country nationals with a qualifying temporary seasonal job in Luxembourg. It generally requires a…
Luxembourg
Luxembourg self-employed residence is for third-country nationals who will run an independent professional or business activity in Luxembourg. It generally…
Luxembourg
This is an EU Blue Card residence pathway for highly qualified workers with a qualifying job offer in Luxembourg. It generally requires higher education or…
United States
The L-1 route is for employees being transferred to a U.S. office of the same company group. It generally requires a qualifying relationship between the…
United States
This route covers employer-sponsored U.S. green cards for many EB-2 and EB-3 workers, including advanced-degree professionals, exceptional-ability workers,…
United States
The O-1 is for people with strong national or international recognition in fields such as sciences, education, business, athletics, arts, film, or…
United States
The EB-2 National Interest Waiver is a green card route for people with an advanced degree or exceptional ability whose proposed work has broader value for…
United States
EB-1 is a permanent-residence route for people with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors or researchers, and certain multinational executives or…
United States
The EB-4 religious worker route is a green card path for certain ministers and qualifying religious workers with a U.S. religious organization sponsor.
United States
The R-1 route is for certain religious workers coming temporarily to work for a qualifying U.S. religious organization.
United States
The H-1B is for people with a U.S. employer offer in a specialty occupation that normally requires a directly related bachelor's degree or higher. Many…
United States
The H-2A and H-2B routes are for temporary or seasonal U.S. jobs in agriculture or non-agricultural work. They are employer-driven and limited to…
United States
The E-1 treaty trader route is for certain treaty-country nationals connected to substantial trade principally between the United States and the treaty…
United States
TN status is for Canadian and Mexican citizens with a prearranged U.S. job in a listed USMCA professional occupation. It generally requires Canadian or…
United States
The E-3 is a U.S. specialty-occupation work route for Australian nationals with a qualifying U.S. job, the right credentials, and an approved Labor…
United States
The H-1B1 is a U.S. specialty-occupation work route for nationals of Chile and Singapore with qualifying U.S. professional jobs.
Austria
Austria's Red-White-Red Card graduate route is for graduates of Austrian higher-education programs who find qualifying skilled work in Austria. It…
Austria
Austria's regular-worker route is for people who already have qualifying seasonal or regular work history and an Austrian job offer. It generally requires…
Austria
Austria's self-employed key-worker route is for applicants whose independent business activity creates significant economic benefit for Austria. It…
Austria
Austria's Red-White-Red Card shortage-occupation route is for workers with a job offer in an occupation Austria lists as short of workers. It generally…
Austria
This is an EU Blue Card residence pathway for highly qualified workers with a qualifying job offer in Austria. It generally requires higher education or…
Austria
Austria's startup-founder route is for founders building an innovative company with meaningful ownership and funding. It generally requires a qualifying…
Austria
Austria's Red-White-Red Card for other key workers is for skilled employees with an Austrian job offer who meet the points and pay rules. It generally…
Austria
Austria's very-highly-qualified route is for applicants with a strong points profile who can qualify for job search or a Red-White-Red Card after finding…
Slovenia
Residence for highly qualified employees with a qualifying job in Slovenia, accepted professional qualifications, and pay meeting the Blue Card threshold.
Slovenia
Slovenia’s single permit combines permission to live and work in the country. It is the main route for someone from outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland…
Japan
Japan's Business Manager status is for a founder, owner, or senior manager who will actively run a real business in Japan. New applications are assessed…
Japan
Japan's Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status is for professional science, engineering, humanities, business, language, design,…
Japan
Japan's Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) status is for a qualifying academic-research, specialized-technical, or business-management activity in Japan…
Japan
An overseas employee transferring to a related office in Japan may qualify for Intra-company Transferee status. The duties and previous overseas service…
Israel
Israel's B/1 foreign-expert route is for a person whose Israeli employer first obtains permission to employ them in a specified expert role. It is…
Israel
Israel's Innovation Visa is a B/2 stay permit for foreign technology entrepreneurs and researchers who plan to establish a company and carry out research…
Malta
Residence for highly qualified employees with a qualifying job in Malta, accepted professional qualifications, and pay meeting the Blue Card threshold.
Malta
Residence tied to a job with an employer in Malta that can complete the required hiring and immigration steps.
Malta
This residence pathway is for founders building a startup or innovative business in Malta. It generally requires an eligible business idea, enough funding…
Spain
Spain's employee work route is for non-EU citizens with a real job offer from a Spanish employer. It generally requires employer support, work…
Spain
Spain's Law 14/2013 entrepreneur route is for a founder who will personally lead a concrete innovative project of special economic interest to Spain.…
Spain
Spain's Highly Qualified Professional permit is for non-EU workers with a Spanish job offer in a managerial, specialist, or other highly qualified role. It…
Spain
Graduates of qualifying Spanish higher education can seek residence to find suitable work or prepare a business project after their studies.
Spain
Spain's self-employed work route is for people who plan to run their own professional or business activity in Spain. It generally requires a viable…
Spain
This is an EU Blue Card residence pathway for highly qualified workers with a qualifying job offer in Spain. It generally requires higher education or…
France
France's employee and temporary-worker residence route is for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens with a real job offer from a French employer. It generally requires…
France
France's entrepreneur/profession libérale route is for a non-EU citizen whose principal activity in France will be a registered, economically viable…
France
France's EU Blue Card is a Talent residence route for highly qualified non-EU workers with a qualifying French job. It generally requires a…
France
France's Talent artistic and cultural route is for performers and authors of literary or artistic works with a real paid professional project in France. It…
France
France's Talent project-leader route covers some business creators, recognized innovative projects, and direct economic investors. The requirements differ…
France
France's Talent corporate-officer route is for certain legal representatives of a French establishment or business who already have seniority in the same…
France
France has a Talent route for some medical and pharmacy professionals who can show the required French authorization or temporary-practice basis. It…
France
France has a Talent route for people with established national or international reputation, or a project that would significantly contribute to France's…
France
France's Talent researcher route is for researchers and university-level teachers with a master's-level degree or higher and a hosting agreement from an…
France
France's Talent employee route is for specific kinds of French jobs, including qualified employees with French master's-level credentials, employees of…
Cyprus
Residence for highly qualified employees with a qualifying job in Cyprus, accepted professional qualifications, and pay meeting the Blue Card threshold.
Cyprus
Residence tied to a job with an employer in Cyprus that can complete the required hiring and immigration steps.
Cyprus
Cyprus's Startup Visa is a temporary residence and work route for qualifying non-EU and non-EEA founders and senior executives who will establish, operate,…
Italy
A manager, specialist, or trainee employed by a company outside the EU may be transferred temporarily to a related Italian branch under Italy's…
Italy
Italy's long-stay religious visa is for non-EU ministers and members of recognized religious organizations carrying out a documented ecclesiastical or…
Italy
Italy's researcher route is for academic or scientific researchers who have an Italian host institution, research agreement, or research role. It generally…
Italy
Italy's ordinary self-employment visa is a narrow, quota-limited route for the categories listed in the current Decreto Flussi. In 2026 these include…
Italy
This is an EU Blue Card residence pathway for highly qualified workers with a qualifying job offer in Italy. It generally requires higher education or…
Italy
The Italia Startup Visa is for non-EU founders with a concrete business project that can qualify as an Italian innovative startup. It requires at least…
Italy
Italy's standard employee work route is the standard employer-sponsored work visa for non-EU citizens with a qualifying Italian job. It generally requires…
Taiwan
This residence pathway is for founders building a startup or innovative business in Taiwan. It generally requires an eligible business idea, enough funding…
Taiwan
This is a Taiwan residence route for highly skilled professionals in designated fields. It generally requires strong credentials or income in an approved…
Taiwan
Taiwan’s ordinary professional-employment route starts with an employer-arranged work permit. It is a separate option from qualifying for an Employment…
Estonia
Residence for highly qualified employees with a qualifying job in Estonia, accepted professional qualifications, and pay meeting the Blue Card threshold.
Estonia
Residence tied to a job with an employer in Estonia that can complete the required hiring and immigration steps.
Estonia
This residence pathway is for founders building a startup or innovative business in Estonia. It generally requires an eligible business idea, enough…
Czechia (Czech Republic)
Czechia's business residence route is for non-EU citizens who will run a real business, work as self-employed, hold a trade license, or serve in a Czech…
Czechia (Czech Republic)
The Czech employee card is a combined long-term residence and work route for a third-country national with a qualifying Czech job. It is available across…
Czechia (Czech Republic)
Czechia's EU Blue Card is for a third-country national with a highly qualified Czech job, a compliant contract, the current 1.5-times-average-salary…
Czechia (Czech Republic)
People finishing qualifying Czech university studies or scientific research can apply for a short residence period to find work or start a business.
Greece
Residence tied to a job with an employer in Greece that can complete the required hiring and immigration steps.
Greece
This is an EU Blue Card residence pathway for highly qualified workers with a qualifying job offer in Greece. It generally requires higher education or…
Bahrain
A documented job with an employer in Bahrain can support permission to live and work there. The employer must arrange the required approvals.
Andorra
This residence pathway is for people with a qualifying job offer, employer sponsorship, or skilled-work profile in Andorra. It generally requires the role…
Andorra
This residence pathway is for founders building a startup or innovative business in Andorra. It generally requires an eligible business idea, enough…
Andorra
This residence pathway is for founders, business owners, or self-employed applicants who will run real activity in Andorra. It generally requires a…
San Marino
Qualifying owners and senior company managers can apply for a renewable two-year stay based on their role in a Sammarinese company.
San Marino
Senior professionals and managers in specified important roles can be considered for discretionary residence or ordinary stay permission in San Marino.
Poland
A non-EU manager, specialist, or trainee can transfer from a company outside the EU to a related host entity in Poland. The Polish host files the ICT…
Poland
Poland's researcher residence route is for people carrying out scientific research or development work with a Polish research organization. It generally…
Poland
Poland's business residence route is for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens who will conduct real business activity in Poland, including some self-employed…
Poland
Non-EU nationals can carry out qualifying seasonal work in Poland for up to 9 months in a calendar year. The employer must obtain a Type S seasonal work…
Poland
Poland's EU Blue Card is for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens taking highly qualified work in Poland. It generally requires a qualifying contract, higher…
Poland
Poland's temporary residence and work permit is for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens who will live in Poland to work for a Polish employer or other qualifying…
Lithuania
Non-EU/EEA/Swiss workers with a qualifying Lithuanian employer can apply for temporary residence for employment. The employer must support the application…
Lithuania
Lithuania’s EU Blue Card is for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens taking highly qualified employment. A qualifying job, relevant education or recognized…
Lithuania
Lithuania’s Startup Visa program is for non-EU/EEA/Swiss founders developing an innovative startup. The business must pass an official assessment before…
Croatia
Residence for highly qualified employees with a qualifying job in Croatia, accepted professional qualifications, and pay meeting the Blue Card threshold.
Croatia
Residence tied to a job with an employer in Croatia that can complete the required hiring and immigration steps.
Qatar
Qatar offers a residence program for entrepreneurs endorsed by a recognized local incubator. It can be used by qualifying founders abroad or already in…
Qatar
A documented job with an employer in Qatar can support permission to live and work there. The employer must arrange the required approvals.
Saudi Arabia
A documented job with an employer in Saudi Arabia can support permission to live and work there. The employer must arrange the required approvals.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's gifted product is for people with officially recognized exceptional achievement in sports, culture, or the arts and the required…
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's exceptional-competence product is for senior health, science, research, and executive professionals who meet demanding contract, pay,…
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's entrepreneur product is for startup founders who secure qualifying funding from an accredited entity and retain the required ownership stake…
Portugal
Portugal has a work-residence route for some professional sports activity. It generally requires a documented role with a Portuguese club, federation,…
Portugal
Portugal's employed-work residence route is for non-EU citizens with a qualifying job contract or promise of work in Portugal. It generally requires a…
Portugal
This residence pathway is for founders and business owners who will run a real business activity in Portugal. It generally requires a credible business…
Portugal
Portugal's independent professional route is for people who will work for themselves in Portugal as freelancers, professionals, or small-business…
Portugal
Portugal has ICT and mobile ICT residence routes for managers, specialists, and trainee employees transferred within the same company group. It can apply…
Portugal
Portugal's fixed-residence visa can cover religious purposes, including religious training in a congregation or recognized religious activity. The…
Portugal
Portugal has a residence route for researchers hosted by a Portuguese research center or university. It generally requires a host agreement, work contract,…
Portugal
Portugal has a residence route for some cultural activity, including artistic, creative, or cultural work with a Portuguese host or organization. It…
Portugal
Portugal's highly qualified activity route is for people with advanced qualifications or specialized professional experience who will work in a highly…
Portugal
Portugal's EU Blue Card route is for highly qualified non-EU workers with a qualifying job offer in Portugal. It generally requires higher education or…
Portugal
Portugal's StartUP Visa is a residence route for founders of innovative companies integrated with a certified incubator. It is narrower than the D2…
Portugal
Portugal's Tech Visa is for highly qualified tech and knowledge-work professionals hired by an IAPMEI-certified Portuguese employer. It generally requires…
Latvia
Residence for highly qualified employees with a qualifying job in Latvia, accepted professional qualifications, and pay meeting the Blue Card threshold.
Latvia
Residence tied to a job with an employer in Latvia that can complete the required hiring and immigration steps.
Chile
Chile's employee route has two distinct starting points: a signed employment contract with an employer domiciled or operating through a branch in Chile, or…
Chile
Chile's self-employed branch is for a person who, before entering Chile, signs a qualifying contract to provide non-physical or specialized professional…
Slovakia
Residence tied to a job with an employer in Slovakia that can complete the required hiring and immigration steps.
Slovakia
Slovakia’s EU Blue Card lets qualified workers from outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland live and work in Slovakia. You need a qualifying job lasting at…
Türkiye (Turkey)
Türkiye's Turquoise Card is for highly qualified workers, investors, scientists, artists, athletes, and others whose profile is considered valuable to…
Türkiye (Turkey)
Türkiye's standard fixed-term work permit is for a foreign worker with a specific job or service contract and an employer that will file through the…
Hungary
Residence for highly qualified workers with a Hungarian job contract of at least six months and pay meeting the current Blue Card threshold.
Hungary
Qualifying independent professionals and company managers can seek Hungarian residence based on a documented activity that supports their stay.
Argentina
Temporary residence for an academic appointment under an agreement between higher-education institutions. The Argentine host must take responsibility and…
Argentina
Temporary residence for artists and athletes contracted to work in Argentina. The person or organization hiring you must support the application and meet…
Argentina
Temporary residence for clergy, ministers, seminarians, and other religious personnel serving an officially recognized faith community in Argentina. The…
Argentina
Temporary residence for researchers and specialists with a qualifying contract, or managers, technicians, and administrative staff transferred by an…
Argentina
Argentina's migrant-worker route is one-year renewable temporary residence for a person entering an employee relationship with an Argentine employer that…
Kuwait
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Kuwait, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Kuwait
A documented job with an employer in Kuwait can support permission to live and work there. The employer must arrange the required approvals.
Montenegro
Active entrepreneurs and qualifying owner-directors can seek residence and work permission in Montenegro, with ongoing business and tax requirements.
Montenegro
Residence tied to a job with an employer in Montenegro that can complete the required hiring and immigration steps.
Uruguay
A person taking a job in Uruguay for at least six months can use the ordinary temporary-residence process with evidence from the Uruguayan employer.
Romania
Residence tied to a job with an employer in Romania that can complete the required hiring and immigration steps.
Romania
This is an EU Blue Card residence pathway for highly qualified workers with a qualifying job offer in Romania. It generally requires higher education or…
Brunei
A Brunei employer can support a foreign worker’s application for the labor approval and immigration permission needed for a specific job.
Bahamas
A Bahamas work permit is tied to specified work: ordinarily a named job and Bahamian employer, or a documented self-employed activity. The exact filing and…
Panama
A Panamanian private-sector employer can support residence for a foreign employee within the ordinary-staff quota. The migration checklist requires at…
Georgia
This route is for a foreign employee whose Georgian employer obtains a right-to-work decision and who can meet the separate work-residence requirements.
Georgia
Georgia uses its work residence permit for a foreign entrepreneur or self-employed person who carries out real economic activity in Georgia and obtains the…
Oman
A documented job with an employer in Oman can support permission to live and work there. The employer must arrange the required approvals.
Trinidad and Tobago
A foreign national with a real Trinidad and Tobago job opportunity may be able to work there after the employer and worker complete the work-permit…
Malaysia
An eligible employer can sponsor a foreign professional for a specific job in Peninsular Malaysia under the Employment Pass rules.
Malaysia
Eligible international graduates of Malaysian bachelor’s or higher programs can apply for a 12-month Graduate Pass while they still hold a valid Student…
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Foreign employees without a regional or other exemption need a written work permit for the approved job. A first application normally must be made while…
Serbia
Residence tied to a job with an employer in Serbia that can complete the required hiring and immigration steps.
Serbia
Residence and work permission for a foreign national running a registered, genuine business or self-employed activity in Serbia.
Thailand
Thailand's BOI-administered Long-Term Resident visa is for four narrowly defined groups: Wealthy Global Citizens, Wealthy Pensioners, Work-from-Thailand…
Thailand
The employment form of Thailand's Non-Immigrant B visa is for a foreign worker with a real job and a Thai employer able to obtain the required labor…
Kazakhstan
An IT specialist with the required official support can apply for Kazakhstan’s B9-1 Digital Nomad Visa to pursue permanent residence.
Kazakhstan
An employer in Kazakhstan can support a C3 work visa for a qualifying foreign employee.
Bulgaria
This is an EU Blue Card residence pathway for highly qualified workers with a qualifying job offer in Bulgaria. It generally requires higher education or…
Bulgaria
Residence tied to a job with an employer in Bulgaria that can complete the required hiring and immigration steps.
Bulgaria
This residence pathway is for founders building a startup or innovative business in Bulgaria. It generally requires an eligible business idea, enough…
Barbados
A permitted entrant working full-time for specified Barbados public bodies, or someone successfully established or likely to become established in a…
Barbados
A foreign national with a real Barbados job opportunity may be able to work there after the employer and worker complete the work-permit process. Approval…
Grenada
A foreign national with a real Grenada job opportunity may be able to work there after the employer and worker complete the work-permit process.
Seychelles
Running an approved local business can support a residence application in Seychelles. The business and your personal role must qualify.
Seychelles
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Seychelles, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Mauritius
Mauritius's investor occupation permit is for entrepreneurs investing at least USD $100,000 in a local business that can meet the current turnover…
Mauritius
Mauritius's self-employed occupation permit is for an individual professional running a Mauritius service business that can meet the current income…
Mauritius
Mauritius's professional occupation permit combines residence and work permission for foreign employees earning at least the current minimum basic monthly…
Albania
A foreign national with a qualifying Albanian employment contract or formal job offer can apply for a unique permit combining residence and work…
Albania
Albania offers residence and work permission for a genuine self-employed business that benefits the local economy. Applicants need a registered activity, a…
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina's Blue Card is a national temporary-residence route for highly qualified employment. It is not the European Union Blue Card and does…
Bosnia and Herzegovina
This route is for a foreign worker with a specific Bosnia and Herzegovina employer that can obtain the required work permit and support the…
China
A qualifying job in China can support a Z visa and work-related residence. The employer must arrange the work authorization; the entry visa alone is not…
Armenia
Residence tied to a job with an employer in Armenia that can complete the required hiring and immigration steps.
Armenia
Armenia can grant residence to a founder, business owner, or self-employed person who carries on genuine entrepreneurial activity there. The official route…
Mexico
Mexico's employer-offer route is for a person with a concrete paid job offer from a legally established employer in Mexico. The employer must hold a…
Sri Lanka
A qualifying employer in Sri Lanka can support a foreign professional’s application to live there for the approved job.
Dominican Republic
RT-3 is a one-year temporary residence permit for a foreign national entering the Dominican Republic specifically to work under a qualifying employment…
Saint Lucia
Foreign nationals without a work-permit exemption need approval before taking employment in Saint Lucia. The employer and applicant must support the…
Ecuador
Temporary residence for documented independent work, professional services, or consulting in Ecuador.
Ecuador
A temporary-residence route for a foreign national with a genuine job in Ecuador. The employer must provide and register the required employment evidence…
Ecuador
A temporary-residence route for a person with a qualifying professional, technical, technologist, or artisan credential recognized by the responsible…
Moldova
Residence tied to a job with an employer in Moldova that can complete the required hiring and immigration steps.
Maldives
A qualifying employer in Maldives can support a foreign professional’s application to live there for the approved job.
North Macedonia
Residence tied to a job with an employer in North Macedonia that can complete the required hiring and immigration steps.
Peru
Peru's Worker Resident category is for a foreign national with a Peruvian employment, administrative, or independent-service relationship lasting at least…
Azerbaijan
Qualifying company leaders, majority owners and active entrepreneurs can seek Azerbaijani residence with evidence of a real operating business.
Azerbaijan
Residence tied to a job with an employer in Azerbaijan that can complete the required hiring and immigration steps.
Brazil
This pathway covers ordinary paid employment in Brazil under the employer-sponsored work-residence rules. A Brazilian employer or institution normally…
Kosovo
Residence tied to a job with an employer in Kosovo that can complete the required hiring and immigration steps.
Colombia
A Migrant visa for eligible independent professionals with the required professional evidence, income, and health coverage.
Colombia
This migrant visa is for a person with a qualifying employment contract from a Colombian legal entity. The employer, contract, role, and applicant's…
Algeria
A lawful commercial, industrial, craft, or professional activity can support an Algerian foreign-resident card.
Algeria
A supported local job can provide a basis to apply for work and residence permission in Algeria.
Mongolia
A Mongolian employer can support employment residence after obtaining the relevant labor permission. The immigration category follows the sector and job.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
People with evidence of self-employment can seek permission to work in their own business in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Longer stays also need…
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
A person with a prospective employer in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines can apply for a work permit. Work lasting more than six months also requires a…
Jamaica
A specific Jamaican job offer and an employer-supported labor application can lead to a work permit. PICA separately records the authorized stay; an offer…
Jamaica
People planning to work for themselves in Jamaica can apply through the self-employed work-permit process. The application must explain the activity,…
Jordan
A documented job with an employer in Jordan can support permission to live and work there. The employer must arrange the required approvals.
Suriname
Residence and work authorization for people with an employer in Suriname.
Turkmenistan
A supported job can provide a basis for Turkmenistan’s WP work visa after the State Migration Service approves the invitation.
Guyana
Permission for a documented business stay in Guyana, supported by the relevant business and sponsor records.
Guyana
Permission for people with documented employment in Guyana.
Ukraine
A qualifying Ukrainian job and the required work authorization can support temporary residence for the approved period of employment.
Tunisia
An eligible investor or business manager can apply for Tunisian residence with the required employment-ministry certificate and company records.
Tunisia
A supported local job can provide a basis to apply for work and residence permission in Tunisia.
Egypt
A qualifying founder, shareholder, partner, or business owner can apply for Egyptian investor residence through Egypt’s investment agency, GAFI, and the…
Egypt
A supported local job can provide a basis to apply for work and residence permission in Egypt.
Fiji
A non-citizen with a real Fiji job offer may obtain a short- or long-term work permit when the employer supports the application and the employment meets…
Paraguay
A foreign investor with a qualifying productive project in Paraguayan industry, commerce, or services can seek a Foreign Investor Certificate and direct…
Paraguay
Paraguay does not publish a separate employer-sponsored work visa for ordinary employees. A person taking lawful employment generally applies for standard…
Tonga
A qualifying job and employer support can provide the basis for a Tonga employment visa.
Uzbekistan
A founder of a company registered as an IT Park Uzbekistan resident can seek the recommendation needed for an IT Visa.
Uzbekistan
A qualifying IT professional with employment in Uzbekistan and at least USD $30,000 of IT income over the preceding 12 months can seek an IT Visa…
Uzbekistan
An employer in Uzbekistan can support the labor authorization and visa needed for an eligible foreign employee.
Vietnam
Vietnam's LĐ2 status is for a foreign worker with a Vietnamese work permit; LĐ1 is for a worker whose work-permit exemption has been established under…
Vietnam
Vietnam does not have one general talent visa based on a degree, occupation, or salary. Two current priority mechanisms are the special visa-exemption card…
South Africa
South Africa's business visa is for owners investing in and actively operating a local business that meets the current capital, recommendation,…
South Africa
An employee of an overseas company can apply for a temporary transfer to its South African branch, subsidiary, or affiliate.
South Africa
South Africa's Critical Skills Work Visa is for applicants who have a South African job offer in an occupation on the official Critical Skills List. It…
South Africa
South Africa's general work visa is for foreign employees with a confirmed local role who reach the current points threshold outside the critical-skills…
Indonesia
An Indonesian employer can support a foreign employee’s work-related visa and limited stay permit for an approved position.
Philippines
The 9(g) visa lets you live in the Philippines and work for an approved Philippine employer. The employer must petition for the visa and complete the…
Botswana
Running an approved local business can support a residence application in Botswana. The business and your personal role must qualify.
Botswana
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Botswana, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Belize
A foreigner who intends to work in Belize needs a Temporary Employment Permit. An employer applies for an employee; a self-employed foreigner applies for…
Samoa
An approved business or investment in Samoa can support an application for temporary residence.
Samoa
An employer in Samoa can support temporary residence for a qualifying foreign employee.
Bolivia
Temporary residence for documented employment or independent work in Bolivia.
Morocco
Running a lawful business or professional activity in Morocco can support a registration card covering that activity.
Morocco
A supported local job can provide a basis to apply for work and residence permission in Morocco.
Venezuela
A visa for employment approved by Venezuela’s labor and immigration authorities.
Kyrgyzstan
A qualifying employer can apply for Kyrgyzstan’s Unified Permit to hire a foreign employee through the eVisa system.
Namibia
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Namibia, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Gabon
Running an approved local business can support a residence application in Gabon. The business and your personal role must qualify.
Gabon
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Gabon, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Bhutan
A qualifying employer in Bhutan can support a foreign professional’s application to live there for the approved job.
El Salvador
El Salvador's F3 route covers specified foreign workers and independent workers who can document a real local work activity and obtain the required work…
Tajikistan
An employer-supported job can provide a basis for Tajikistan’s M work visa and the related labor authorization.
Bangladesh
An approved investment in a private Bangladesh business can support a Private Investor visa application.
Bangladesh
A qualifying employer in Bangladesh can support a foreign professional’s application to live there for the approved job.
Iraq
Running an approved local business can support a residence application in Iraq. The business and your personal role must qualify.
Iraq
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Iraq, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Nicaragua
Residence for people with a documented job in Nicaragua. The employer and the proposed work must support the immigration application.
Nicaragua
Temporary residence for people who can document lawful independent work in Nicaragua.
Cabo Verde
Running an approved local business can support a residence application in Cabo Verde. The business and your personal role must qualify.
Cabo Verde
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Cabo Verde, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
India
A qualifying employer in India can support a foreign professional’s application to live there for the approved job.
Guatemala
A qualifying Guatemalan job offer can support temporary residence for up to five years. The offer, employer guarantee where required, and separate labor…
Guatemala
Self-employed workers can apply for Guatemalan temporary residence using evidence of their actual activity, projected income, tax registration, and…
Honduras
University-qualified professionals can seek a Honduran special stay permit to establish a professional practice. The route requires financial capacity, an…
Honduras
A qualifying private-sector contract for more than three months can support a Honduran special stay permit. The employer must support the application and…
Sao Tome and Principe
Running an approved local business can support a residence application in São Tomé and Príncipe. The business and your personal role must qualify.
Sao Tome and Principe
A local employer can support an application to live and work in São Tomé and Príncipe, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Laos
A qualifying employer in Laos can support a foreign technical employee’s LA-B2 visa, work authorization, and stay-permit process.
Eswatini
Running an approved local business can support a residence application in Eswatini. The business and your personal role must qualify.
Eswatini
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Eswatini, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Vanuatu
Vanuatu’s Employment Visa covers sponsored skilled work lasting more than two months.
Myanmar
A foreign employee of an eligible investment project can use the employer-supported registration and immigration process for work in Myanmar.
Equatorial Guinea
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Equatorial Guinea, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Ghana
Running an approved local business can support a residence application in Ghana. The business and your personal role must qualify.
Ghana
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Ghana, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Kenya
Running an approved local business can support a residence application in Kenya. The business and your personal role must qualify.
Kenya
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Kenya, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Nepal
An approved investment in a Nepal business can support a renewable, multiple-entry Business Visa.
Nepal
A qualifying employer in Nepal can support a foreign professional’s application to live there for the approved job.
Cambodia
A Cambodian employer can support a foreign employee’s ordinary Type E entry, work permit, and the immigration permission needed to remain for the job.
Angola
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Angola, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Tuvalu
Running an approved local business can support a residence application in Tuvalu. The business and your personal role must qualify.
Tuvalu
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Tuvalu, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Congo (Republic)
Running an approved local business can support a residence application in the Republic of the Congo. The business and your personal role must qualify.
Congo (Republic)
A local employer can support an application to live and work in the Republic of the Congo, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Zambia
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Zambia, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Cameroon
Running an approved local business can support a residence application in Cameroon. The business and your personal role must qualify.
Cameroon
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Cameroon, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Papua New Guinea
An employer in Papua New Guinea can sponsor a foreign employee for a Working Resident Employment Visa.
Solomon Islands
A Solomon Islands employer can support a working resident visa for a foreign employee with the required labor approval.
Haiti
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Haiti, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Timor-Leste
A qualifying employment contract can support an application for a work visa in Timor-Leste.
Uganda
Running an approved local business can support a residence application in Uganda. The business and your personal role must qualify.
Uganda
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Uganda, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Kiribati
Running an approved local business can support a residence application in Kiribati. The business and your personal role must qualify.
Kiribati
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Kiribati, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Nigeria
Foreign workers with a confirmed Nigerian employment contract and an employer's approved expatriate quota can apply for residence and work permission. The…
Rwanda
Running an approved local business can support a residence application in Rwanda. The business and your personal role must qualify.
Rwanda
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Rwanda, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Zimbabwe
Running an approved local business can support a residence application in Zimbabwe. The business and your personal role must qualify.
Zimbabwe
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Zimbabwe, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Pakistan
A qualifying employer in Pakistan can support a foreign professional’s application to live there for the approved job.
Ivory Coast
Running an approved local business can support a residence application in Côte d’Ivoire. The business and your personal role must qualify.
Ivory Coast
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Côte d’Ivoire, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Tanzania
Running an approved local business can support a residence application in Tanzania. The business and your personal role must qualify.
Tanzania
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Tanzania, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Togo
Running an approved local business can support a residence application in Togo. The business and your personal role must qualify.
Togo
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Togo, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Lesotho
Running an approved local business can support a residence application in Lesotho. The business and your personal role must qualify.
Lesotho
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Lesotho, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Senegal
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Senegal, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Malawi
Running an approved local business can support a residence application in Malawi. The business and your personal role must qualify.
Malawi
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Malawi, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Gambia
Running an approved local business can support a residence application in The Gambia. The business and your personal role must qualify.
Gambia
A local employer can support an application to live and work in The Gambia, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Ethiopia
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Ethiopia, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Liberia
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Liberia, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Madagascar
Running an approved local business can support a residence application in Madagascar. The business and your personal role must qualify.
Madagascar
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Madagascar, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Congo (Democratic Republic)
Running an approved local business can support a residence application in DR Congo. The business and your personal role must qualify.
Congo (Democratic Republic)
A local employer can support an application to live and work in DR Congo, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Mozambique
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Mozambique, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Sierra Leone
Running an approved local business can support a residence application in Sierra Leone. The business and your personal role must qualify.
Sierra Leone
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Sierra Leone, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Chad
Running an approved local business can support a residence application in Chad. The business and your personal role must qualify.
Chad
A local employer can support an application to live and work in Chad, subject to the required employment and residence approvals.
Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (Caribbean Netherlands)
A foreign worker aged 18 to 45 making a first application for an ordinary job on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, or Saba may seek residence when a specific…
Martinique
Non-EU/EEA/Swiss applicants with a qualifying local job can seek employee residence in Martinique. The employer must support the required work…
Martinique
Non-EU/EEA/Swiss applicants can seek residence in Martinique to run a viable business or independent professional activity. The activity must be their main…
Sint Maarten (Dutch part)
A foreign worker with a specific Sint Maarten job may apply for residence when the employer has started or obtained the related employment permit and the…
Faroe Islands
EU citizens with qualifying Faroese jobs can use a special work scheme while the island’s labor-market conditions keep it open.
Faroe Islands
A full-time offer from a Faroese employer approved for Fast Track can support residence and work permission under the scheme’s conditions.
Faroe Islands
A qualifying Faroese job offer can support a residence and work permit when the role, pay and applicant meet the local employment rules.
Isle of Man
Founders with an endorsed business proposal and at least £50,000 in qualifying investment funds can seek an Isle of Man Innovator visa.
Isle of Man
A qualifying job offer and employer-issued Confirmation of Employment can support a visa to live and work in the Isle of Man.
Jersey
Qualifying Jersey employers can obtain long-term work permits that support the worker’s separate immigration application to live and work on the island.
Cook Islands
The Cook Islands International Worker category covers an eligible job offered by a registered local employer.
French Polynesia
A local employer can support a foreign worker’s work authorization in French Polynesia, alongside the required entry and residence permission.
Macao
An approved Macao employer can arrange permission to stay as a nonresident worker. This is work-related permission to stay, not Macao resident status.
New Caledonia
A local employer can support a foreign worker’s work authorization in New Caledonia, alongside the required entry and residence permission.
United Arab Emirates
This residence pathway is for remote workers who want to live in the United Arab Emirates while their work stays outside the country. It generally requires…
South Korea
South Korea's F-1-D workation status is for adults employed by a foreign company or operating an overseas business who have at least one year in the same…
Slovenia
Slovenia offers a temporary home to qualifying remote workers whose employment or self-employment remains outside the country.
Japan
Japan's Digital Nomad visa is a six-month, non-extendable route for citizens of designated countries or regions who work remotely for an overseas employer…
Malta
This residence pathway is for remote workers who want to live in Malta while their work stays outside the country. It generally requires foreign-source…
Spain
Spain's international teleworker route is for remote employees of foreign businesses and remote professionals whose Spanish business activity is no more…
Cyprus
This residence pathway is for remote workers who want to live in Cyprus while their work stays outside the country. It generally requires foreign-source…
Italy
Italy's digital-nomad and remote-worker route is for highly qualified non-EU workers who can do their work remotely from Italy. The employer or client may…
Taiwan
Taiwan's digital nomad visitor visa lets qualifying foreign remote workers stay for six months and apply for extensions up to two years in total.…
Estonia
This residence pathway is for remote workers who want to live in Estonia while their work stays outside the country. It generally requires foreign-source…
Czechia (Czech Republic)
Czechia's Digital Nomad Program is a two-step route for specified IT and marketing professionals. Program acceptance supports a later long-term visa…
Greece
This residence pathway is for remote workers who want to live in Greece while their work stays outside the country. It generally requires foreign-source…
Andorra
This residence pathway is for remote workers who want to live in Andorra while their work stays outside the country. It generally requires foreign-source…
Croatia
Croatia's digital-nomad temporary stay is for third-country remote workers whose work is performed through communication technology for a company or own…
Portugal
This residence pathway is for remote workers who want to live in Portugal while their work stays outside the country. It generally requires foreign-source…
Latvia
Non-EU/EEA/Swiss remote workers may seek a one-year Latvian visa through qualifying OECD-registered employment or self-employment. Six-month evidence and…
Türkiye (Turkey)
Türkiye's Digital Nomad route is for citizens of the countries on the official list who are age 21 through 55, are university graduates, and can document…
Hungary
Temporary residence in Hungary for people working online for a qualifying employer or business outside the country.
Argentina
Argentina's digital-nomad status is a transitory stay of up to 180 days for visa-exempt nationals who work remotely for people or organizations based…
Montenegro
Temporary residence in Montenegro for people working online for a qualifying employer or business outside the country.
Uruguay
Remote workers serving organizations outside Uruguay can obtain a provisional identity card for an initial period of less than 180 days and renew it once…
Romania
This residence pathway is for remote workers who want to live in Romania while their work stays outside the country. It generally requires foreign-source…
Panama
Panama’s remote-worker visa allows a nine-month stay, with one extension of up to nine months. You need qualifying remote work for an overseas business,…
Malaysia
Malaysia's DE Rantau route is for digital professionals and remote workers who want to live in Malaysia while working online. It generally requires…
Costa Rica
Costa Rica's digital-nomad program is a non-resident stay for people providing paid remote services to a person or company outside Costa Rica. It requires…
Thailand
The Destination Thailand Visa is a five-year, multiple-entry visitor visa for documented remote work, specified Thai activities or medical treatment, and…
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan’s Neo Nomad Visa supports a temporary stay for remote workers with stable income from abroad exceeding USD $3,000 a month.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria has a residence category for qualifying foreign remote workers, with evidence of established work and sufficient prior-year income.
Barbados
The Barbados Welcome Stamp is a 12-month visa for a non-citizen whose location-independent work and income remain outside Barbados. The current program…
Mauritius
The Mauritius Premium Visa is a renewable long-stay route for remote workers, retirees, and long-stay visitors whose main business or income source stays…
Albania
This route lets you live in Albania while working remotely for employers or clients abroad. Experienced legal experts advising Citizeo report greater visa…
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's Digital Nomad Visa is a one-year, renewable route for adults who work remotely for an employer or clients outside Sri Lanka, freelance for…
Montserrat
Montserrat's Remote Worker Stamp is a one-year pathway for remote employees, freelancers, and business owners who can work through telecommunications…
Ecuador
A temporary-residence route for people who work remotely for an employer, clients, or a business domiciled outside Ecuador. It requires the exact income…
Moldova
This residence pathway is for remote workers who want to live in Moldova while their work stays outside the country. It generally requires foreign-source…
Brazil
This residence pathway is for remote workers who want to live in Brazil while their work stays outside the country. It generally requires foreign-source…
Colombia
This visitor visa is for qualifying visa-exempt passport holders who work remotely only for foreign businesses or clients, or who will develop a qualifying…
Dominica
Dominica's active Work in Nature Visa lets an adult remote worker and qualifying family members stay for up to 18 months while work remains for companies…
South Africa
South Africa's remote work visa lets a foreign employee live in the country while continuing work for an employer based outside South Africa.
Indonesia
Indonesia's overseas remote-worker visa is for people who live in Indonesia while continuing qualifying work for an employer based outside the country.
Belize
Belize's Long Stay Visitor Permit allows a qualifying remote worker and eligible dependents to enter and remain for up to six months in a calendar year. It…
Kyrgyzstan
Professionals in specified technology and digital-creative fields from 11 listed countries can apply for Kyrgyzstan’s Digital Nomad status.
Namibia
Namibia's Digital Nomad Visa is a short remote-work pathway for applicants who can document remote employment or income, recent bank statements, and…
Cabo Verde
Cabo Verde's Remote Working Program is a temporary remote-work stay for self-employed workers and digital nomads who can work online without a fixed…
Guatemala
Employees of a foreign employer can seek Guatemalan temporary residence. The ordinary branch requires at least USD $2,000 a month from abroad during the…
Kenya
Class N allows qualifying remote workers serving employers or clients outside Kenya to apply for temporary residence while working remotely.
Curacao
Curaçao offers temporary residence for foreign remote workers, including qualifying employees and independent workers. The initial stay is up to six…
Switzerland
This residence pathway is for financially self-supporting applicants who want to live in Switzerland without relying on local employment. It generally…
Ireland
Stamp 0 can let a financially independent person, often a retiree, live in Ireland without working. Applicants normally need annual income of €50,000…
Liechtenstein
Applicants with sufficient independent resources can request a discretionary Liechtenstein residence permit without taking local employment.
Belgium
Belgium accepts discretionary long-stay applications from some retirees who can support themselves and show significant, documented ties to Belgium.…
Aruba
Adults with at least AWG 100,000 a year from qualifying assets or rental income may seek a one-year residence permit that does not allow paid work.
Aruba
People aged 55 or older with qualifying retirement income may seek a renewable Aruba residence permit without work rights.
Bermuda
People who can support themselves without employment may apply for annual residence in Bermuda.
Gibraltar
People with substantial wealth can seek Category 2 certification and the associated Gibraltar residence permission.
Pitcairn Islands
Pitcairn offers a five-year seasonal visa for people planning stays of up to six months in any 12-month period.
United Arab Emirates
This residence pathway is for retirees or pension recipients who want to live in the United Arab Emirates. It generally requires stable pension or…
Luxembourg
This private-reasons residence route is for non-EU citizens supported by income from professional activity in another EU or Schengen country, or by a…
Austria
This residence pathway is for financially self-supporting applicants who want to live in Austria without relying on local employment. It generally requires…
Monaco
Residence for people who can support a home in Monaco without relying on a local job, backed by accepted financial and accommodation evidence.
Spain
Spain's non-lucrative residence route is for a non-EU/EEA/Swiss applicant who can meet the IPREM-based resources test and live in Spain without employment,…
France
France's long-stay visitor route is for non-EU citizens who can support themselves while living in France without working. It requires sufficient…
Cyprus
People with independent financial support can seek a longer stay in Cyprus as visitors without taking up economic activity there.
Italy
Italy's elective-residence visa is for non-EU applicants who intend to settle in Italy and can live from high, stable, recurring resources without working.…
Greece
Greece's financially independent route is for people who can support themselves without working locally. It generally requires stable income or resources,…
San Marino
People with sufficient foreign income and a qualifying residence history can apply for San Marino’s special residence and tax regime.
San Marino
Qualifying pensioners from eligible countries can seek San Marino residence with substantial annual income and assets maintained in its banking system.
Portugal
This residence pathway is for financially self-supporting applicants who want to live in Portugal without relying on local employment. It generally…
Chile
Chile has a temporary-residence category for a qualifying pensioner or a person with regular income from real estate or financial assets. The applicant…
Argentina
Argentina's pensionado route is one-year renewable temporary residence for a person with a regular, permanent qualifying pension worth at least five times…
Argentina
Argentina's rentista route is one-year renewable temporary residence for a person receiving regular income from their own assets abroad, rather than…
Uruguay
A person intending to settle permanently in Uruguay may use reliable passive income as proof of means of living in the general permanent-residence process.
Uruguay
A person retired abroad can seek permanent residence with special relocation benefits by proving at least USD $1,500 a month in retirement or other foreign…
Bahamas
The Permit to Reside is temporary permission to live in The Bahamas for an approved purpose other than work. The official page expressly covers students…
Panama
Panama’s Pensionado route offers indefinite residence to applicants with a qualifying lifetime pension, normally at least PAB 1,000 a month. The minimum…
Costa Rica
Costa Rica's rentista category is temporary residence for a person who can prove at least USD $2,500 a month of permanent, stable income for no less than…
Costa Rica
Costa Rica's pensionado category is temporary residence for a person who can prove a monthly, permanent, stable pension from abroad of at least USD $1,000.…
Saint Kitts and Nevis
People seeking to retire in Saint Kitts and Nevis can apply for permanent residence with sufficient assets and means to support themselves and their…
Thailand
Thailand's Non-Immigrant O-A long-stay visa is an overseas application for people aged 50 or older who want a stay of up to one year without working. It…
Bulgaria
Residence for pension recipients who can document their pension, adequate support, accommodation, and health coverage in Bulgaria.
Barbados
A person who wants to live in retirement in Barbados and has sufficient means to support themselves and their dependents may apply for immigrant status…
Mauritius
Mauritius offers a renewable ten-year residence permit to non-citizens aged 50 or older who can transfer at least USD $2,000 monthly or USD $24,000 yearly.
Antigua and Barbuda
Retirees can apply to change from lawful visitor status to ordinary residence in Antigua and Barbuda. The 2023 law requires an application, an interview,…
Albania
Albania offers renewable residence to people receiving a foreign pension who will not work there. The retirement visa requires pension income of at least…
Mexico
Mexico's direct financial Permanent Resident visa is officially framed for retirees or pensioners who meet the higher pension-income or savings threshold.…
Mexico
Mexico's financial-solvency Temporary Resident visa is for a planned stay longer than 180 days and up to four years, based on qualifying income or average…
Dominican Republic
This Law 171-07 route is for a person with at least USD $2,000 a month of stable, permanent income whose underlying capital or source comes from abroad,…
Dominican Republic
This Law 171-07 route is for a person receiving at least USD $1,500 each month from a foreign government, official body, or private-company pension, plus…
Ecuador
A temporary-residence route for a person who can document regular personal income from lawful rents, investment instruments, or similar sources. The income…
Ecuador
A temporary-residence route for a person receiving a foreign retirement pension of at least three unified basic salaries per month. The pension must be…
Peru
Peru's Rentista category gives indefinite residence to a foreign national with a permanent pension or other permanent income. Savings alone and ordinary…
Brazil
Brazil's retirement residence is for a retired person or beneficiary of a survivor's pension who can transfer at least USD $2,000 per month to Brazil.…
Colombia
This visitor visa is for a person who can prove lawful recurring private income of at least ten Colombian monthly minimum wages. It can be issued for up to…
Colombia
This migrant visa is for a person with a lifetime pension paid by a government or private pension fund at or above three Colombian monthly minimum wages.…
Algeria
An applicant who does not intend to work can seek an Algerian residence card by documenting the means to support the stay.
Jamaica
A retired foreign national who can document means of support may apply to PICA for permanent residence on its retirement ground.
Tunisia
Retirees who receive regular income can apply for Tunisian residence without taking salaried employment.
Dominica
Dominica accepts residence-permit applications supported by financial evidence and a friend or family member accepting responsibility. Applicants must keep…
Fiji
Fiji’s assured-income residence permit is for applicants age 45 or older who can support themselves from offshore assets or income.
Paraguay
Paraguay does not publish a separate rentista permit with a fixed monthly-income threshold. A pensioner generally uses ordinary temporary residence and…
Tonga
Tonga’s assured-income visa is for financially supported retirees with a regular overseas pension or fund income.
South Africa
A person with verified net assets of at least ZAR 12,000,000 can apply for South African permanent residence under the financial-independence category.
South Africa
South Africa's retired-person visa is currently based on a qualifying pension, annuity, retirement account, or net-worth-derived payment of at least ZAR…
Indonesia
Indonesia offers long-term retirement residence to applicants aged 55 or older who can document substantial monthly income and the required bank deposit.
Indonesia
Indonesia's second-home route offers long-term residence to financially established applicants who can meet the current property or financial guarantee…
Philippines
The Special Resident Retiree’s Visa lets qualifying applicants age 40 or older live in the Philippines indefinitely while maintaining the required…
Belize
Belize's QRP is an annually maintained residence program for qualifying-country applicants aged 40 or older who receive at least USD $2,000 monthly or USD…
Morocco
Morocco’s visitor registration card can support a longer stay for someone living from their own resources, including a pension.
Venezuela
A renewable visa for people with at least USD $1,200 a month in lawful foreign income or a pension, plus USD $500 for each accompanying family member.
El Salvador
El Salvador has separate temporary-residence categories for a stable foreign pension and for stable foreign-generated rent or passive income, with…
Nicaragua
Temporary residence for people supported by income from investments, rent, or other lawful assets who meet Nicaragua’s current requirements.
Nicaragua
Temporary residence for people supported by a pension who meet Nicaragua’s current requirements.
Guatemala
Guatemala offers permanent residence with a qualifying foreign pension of at least USD $1,250 a month. Add USD $300 per dependent. Paid work is outside…
Guatemala
Qualifying stable income of at least USD $1,250 a month can support permanent residence in Guatemala, with USD $300 more per dependent. Ordinary paid work…
Honduras
Honduras offers pension-based residence with a qualifying foreign pension of at least USD $1,500 a month. The pension must be permanent and stable,…
Honduras
Qualifying stable income of at least USD $2,500 a month can support rentista residence in Honduras, with evidence of receipt through a Honduran financial…
Vanuatu
Vanuatu's self-funded residence visa requires monthly income certified by a bank operating in Vanuatu: at least VUV 250,000 for one applicant or VUV…
Kenya
Kenya has a residence route for qualifying applicants supported by accepted retirement income or independent resources.
Nepal
A retired foreign applicant, or one age 60 or older, can seek residential permission to live in Nepal without running a business.
Zambia
Zambia has a residence route for qualifying applicants supported by accepted retirement income or independent resources.
Haiti
A foreign applicant with an accepted purpose and a supporting person can seek Haiti’s ordinary residence permit without taking local employment.
Nigeria
Foreign nationals aged 65 or older who retired outside Nigeria can apply to live in Nigeria on documented retirement income and funds. They also need…
Rwanda
Rwanda has a residence route for qualifying retirees supported by accepted retirement income.
Ivory Coast
Retirees can use a pension statement to support a resident-card application in Côte d’Ivoire.
Tanzania
Tanzania has a residence route for qualifying retirees supported by accepted retirement income.
Gambia
The Gambia’s Permit A can support residence for retirees who do not engage in paid work or income-producing business activity.
Madagascar
Madagascar has a residence route for qualifying retirees supported by accepted retirement income.
Sint Maarten (Dutch part)
People receiving a documented pension may apply under Sint Maarten’s pensioner/rentenier residence category if they can show sufficient income and meet…
Curacao
Foreign nationals supported by retirement income or assets can apply for Curaçao residence as a retiree or rentier. Dutch and U.S. citizens normally use…
French Polynesia
A financially supported nonworking stay in French Polynesia may qualify for a temporary residence card marked Visiteur.
New Caledonia
A financially supported nonworking stay in New Caledonia may qualify for a temporary residence card marked Visiteur.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong's capital-investment route is for adults who can prove substantial recent net assets and place at least HKD 30 million into permitted…
Singapore
Singapore's Global Investor Program can grant permanent residence to a small group of established global business owners, fast-growth founders,…
Anguilla
Anguilla’s business-property option starts at USD $750,000 and is advertised with a right to reside and work. A mixed business-and-home purchase must put…
Anguilla
Anguilla offers a permanent-residence application through a Capital Development Fund contribution, starting at USD $150,000 for one applicant. Additional…
Anguilla
Anguilla’s residence-only property option starts at USD $750,000 for a family of up to four. The property must qualify under the program, and approval…
Bermuda
Adults making an approved investment of at least BMD 2,500,000 can apply for Bermuda’s Economic Investment Residential Certificate.
Cayman Islands
This 25-year residence certificate combines a Cayman investment with independent income or a qualifying local account. Investment and income thresholds are…
Cayman Islands
This property-based residence route requires at least KYD 2 million paid into qualifying developed real estate. Despite its official permanent-residence…
Turks and Caicos Islands
A qualifying business investment can support a Permanent Residence Certificate with a Governor’s undertaking. The floor is USD $750,000 on five named…
Turks and Caicos Islands
A separate Turks and Caicos Permanent Residence Certificate category covers at least USD $1 million already invested in a qualifying home or business…
Turks and Caicos Islands
A qualifying completed home investment may support a Permanent Residence Certificate with a Governor’s undertaking. The published floor is USD $300,000…
New Zealand
New Zealand offers residence through two investment categories: Growth requires NZD 5 million for three years; Balanced requires NZD 10 million for five…
United Arab Emirates
The UAE real-estate Golden Visa is for property owners whose UAE property meets the official value and ownership rules. It generally requires…
United Arab Emirates
The UAE may grant a 10-year Golden Residence to an investor who places at least AED 2 million in an accepted public-investment form or owns a qualifying…
South Korea
South Korea's D-8 category covers several different business routes, including investment in a Korean corporation or individual business, a certified…
South Korea
South Korea offers residence to investors who put at least KRW 1.5 billion into an approved public fund or development project. Keeping the investment for…
Luxembourg
This residence pathway is for applicants who can make one of Luxembourg's approved business, investment-structure, or bank-deposit investments. It…
United States
EB-5 is a green card route for investors who place a large qualifying investment into a U.S. commercial enterprise and plan to create at least 10 full-time…
United States
The E-2 is a temporary U.S. route for nationals of treaty countries who invest a substantial amount of capital in a real, active U.S. business. It…
Malta
Malta's permanent residence program is for financially qualified non-EU applicants who can meet the required contribution, property, and asset rules. It…
Cyprus
Cyprus's investor Immigration Permit is a permanent residence route for third-country nationals who invest at least €300,000 in qualifying Cyprus…
Italy
Italy's Investor Visa is for applicants making an accepted investment such as government bonds, an Italian company, an innovative startup, or a…
Greece
This residence pathway is for applicants who can make and maintain a qualifying real-estate, financial, or registered-startup investment in Greece. Each…
Bahrain
Bahrain's Golden Residency offers permanent residence to qualifying long-term professionals, property owners, retirees, and people recognized for…
Bahrain
Bahrain has ordinary self-sponsored residence for qualifying homeowners. It requires property worth at least BHD 50,000 and documented income, alongside…
Andorra
Andorra's residence without work is for financially self-supporting applicants who want to live in Andorra without local employment. It generally requires…
San Marino
Substantial business projects with credible employment and related property commitments can be considered for discretionary registered residence in San…
San Marino
San Marino may grant residence to applicants making and maintaining a qualifying home purchase or a specified long-term financial investment.
Qatar
Qatar offers sponsor-free residence to qualifying non-Qatari property owners, with an enhanced benefits tier for substantially higher-value real estate.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's business-investor product can grant permanent Premium Residency to an applicant investing at least SAR 7 million and meeting the current…
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's real-estate-owner product links Premium Residency to ownership or qualifying rights in residential property worth at least SAR 4 million.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's limited-duration product offers renewable Premium Residency for one or more years at the current annual fee, without requiring a separate…
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's unlimited-duration product offers Premium Residency without a fixed end date after payment of the current SAR 800,000 one-time fee and…
Portugal
Portugal's Golden Visa is for applicants making an accepted investment, now focused on routes such as qualifying funds, cultural support, research, or…
Latvia
Latvia offers residence through qualifying company investments, with separate state payments, annual company-tax requirements, and nationality…
Chile
Chile's investor permit is a narrow company-role route. It covers specified leaders of a foreign company pursuing a productive investment of at least USD…
Türkiye (Turkey)
Türkiye's exceptional citizenship route is for applicants who complete one of the investment or job-creation options set by the government and obtain the…
Türkiye (Turkey)
Türkiye's short-term residence permit is for a specific purpose listed in Article 31, such as owning and using a qualifying home, documented tourism,…
Hungary
Hungary's guest investor residence permit is for third-country nationals whose qualifying investment is treated as being in Hungary's national economic…
Argentina
Argentina's investor residence is for a person using their own assets for an operating productive, commercial, or service project that Argentina considers…
Kuwait
Owners or partners in qualifying KDIPA-licensed entities can seek long-term residence of up to 15 years under Kuwait’s 2026 investment framework.
Montenegro
Owners of qualifying Montenegrin property can apply for temporary residence, with a minimum assessed value applying to most new non-European applicants.
Uruguay
Uruguay has no stand-alone investor visa or golden visa. A person running or earning income from a Uruguayan business may instead use that real business…
Bahamas
The Bahamas economic permanent residence route is for investors making a substantial qualifying investment, usually in real estate or approved financial…
Bahamas
The Bahamas Home Owner Resident Permit is for a non-Bahamian who owns a habitable home in The Bahamas while maintaining a primary home outside the country…
Panama
Citizens of Panama’s listed Friendly Nations can apply for residence through a Panamanian job, qualifying property worth at least PAB 200,000, or a PAB…
Panama
Permanent residence through an approved investment: PAB 300,000 for qualifying new property, PAB 500,000 for resale property, securities or a qualifying…
Panama
A qualifying forestry investment of at least PAB 100,000 can support provisional residence followed by a permanent-residence application. At least PAB…
Georgia
Georgia's investment residence permit is based on at least USD $300,000 invested in Georgia or applicant-owned non-agricultural property whose certified…
Georgia
Georgia's short-term property residence permit is for a foreign owner of non-agricultural real estate in Georgia whose certified market value exceeds USD…
Oman
Oman's Golden Residency offers a renewable ten-year status through qualifying property, business, bonds, listed shares, fixed deposits, major job creation,…
Malaysia
Malaysia's active Premium Visa Program is a 20-year long-stay route for applicants who meet one of the program's high financial-capacity tests and also…
Malaysia
Malaysia My Second Home is a long-stay route with four current national categories: Platinum, Gold, Silver, and SEZ/SFZ. Each has its own age, US-dollar…
Costa Rica
Costa Rica's investor category is temporary residence for a foreign national who makes and documents at least USD $150,000 in one of the investment forms…
Saint Kitts and Nevis
The Sustainable Island State Contribution is a non-refundable citizenship-program payment. It starts at USD $250,000 for a main applicant or a family of up…
Saint Kitts and Nevis
This route is for an adult who can buy qualifying real estate under the Citizenship Program. Approved developer property and designated private…
Serbia
Temporary residence for foreign nationals who own a qualifying home in Serbia and intend to live there.
Barbados
Barbados's Special Entry and Reside Permit is a discretionary residence route for eligible high-net-worth applicants, retired property owners and people…
Grenada
Grenada's citizenship-by-investment program has a non-refundable National Transformation Fund contribution starting at USD $235,000 for a main applicant…
Grenada
Grenada's citizenship investment route requires USD $350,000 in an approved project, or USD $270,000 for a qualifying tourism-property share. Both options…
Mauritius
A qualifying home in an Economic Development Board approved residential scheme can support residence in Mauritius while the property remains owned.
Mauritius
Mauritius's new Golden Visa offers a renewable two-year status and a route to permanent residence after a USD $1 million investment in an approved…
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda's Citizenship by Investment Program has a non-refundable National Development Fund contribution starting at USD $230,000 per…
Antigua and Barbuda
This citizenship-by-investment option requires at least USD $300,000 in a project approved by Antigua and Barbuda's Citizenship by Investment Unit. The…
Albania
Albania offers residence for a qualifying active business investment with demanding staffing, wage, and business-record requirements. Experienced legal…
Albania
Owning property in Albania can give you a way to live there. You need to own at least half of the property in your own name, keep that ownership, and show…
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina may grant temporary residence to a registered property owner who also proves an effective connection to the country. Property…
Mexico
Mexico's investor Temporary Resident route requires documented paid-in participation above the official threshold in a Mexican company, together with the…
Mexico
Mexico's real-estate Temporary Resident route is for an applicant who already owns Mexican property above the official threshold and can prove personal…
Sri Lanka
A permitted investment of USD $100,000 can support a five-year Sri Lanka Investor Visa. USD $200,000 supports a ten-year arrangement with a later…
Montserrat
Montserrat offers economic residence to experienced businesspeople with a commercial investment plan and lawfully obtained net worth above XCD 400,000. A…
Dominican Republic
This route is for an ordinary direct investor with at least USD $200,000 of qualifying, registered investment in the Dominican Republic. A separately…
Saint Lucia
This citizenship-by-investment pathway is for adult applicants and qualifying family members who can make the approved Saint Lucia government-bond…
Saint Lucia
This pathway is for an adult who can invest in a qualifying Saint Lucian enterprise project as a developer, joint investor, or applicant in an approved…
Saint Lucia
This citizenship-by-investment pathway is for adult applicants and qualifying family members who can make a government contribution or donation. It…
Saint Lucia
This citizenship-by-investment pathway is for adult applicants and qualifying family members who can invest in government-approved real estate in Saint…
Ecuador
A temporary-residence route based on a qualifying Ecuadorian deposit or security, real estate, company equity, or certain current contracts with the…
Moldova
Moldova can grant temporary residence to a foreign shareholder or partner in a Moldovan legal entity who meets either the investment-value test or the…
Maldives
Qualifying investors can apply for Maldives corporate residence through an approved investment or bank-deposit route.
North Macedonia
North Macedonia can grant citizenship for special economic interest where the applicant meets official investment criteria and the government accepts the…
Peru
Residence for a qualifying business investment of at least PEN 500,000, with the required transfer and company records.
Azerbaijan
A qualifying bank deposit or specified securities worth at least AZN 100,000 can support temporary residence in Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan
Ownership of qualifying Azerbaijani real estate worth at least AZN 100,000 can support an application for temporary residence.
Brazil
Brazil's business-investor route is for a foreign individual investing their own external funds in a Brazilian company. The standard threshold is BRL…
Brazil
Brazil's real-estate investor route is for a foreign individual buying qualifying urban property with their own funds transferred from abroad. The minimum…
Colombia
Colombia has separate migrant routes for a qualifying company owner, a property investor, and a larger direct foreign investor. Each track has its own…
Mongolia
Mongolia’s B1 route supports an investor in a qualifying foreign-invested company. This is an operating-business route, not residence obtained by buying…
Jordan
Jordan offers annual residence without work through a qualifying local bank deposit. A smaller deposit can apply when the applicant also owns an apartment.
Jordan
Jordan can grant citizenship to qualifying investors through business, shares, existing investments, or job-creation pathways. It is an active,…
Dominica
Dominica's Economic Diversification Fund route requires a non-refundable contribution starting at USD $200,000 for one main applicant or USD $250,000 for a…
Dominica
Dominica's real-estate citizenship route requires at least USD $200,000 in a Government-approved project, plus Government fees starting at USD $75,000 and…
Egypt
A qualifying bank deposit can support temporary Egyptian residence: USD $50,000 for one year or USD $100,000 for three years.
Egypt
Egypt accepts citizenship applications through four financial options, including a USD $250,000 contribution. A separate USD $10,000 application fee and…
Egypt
Qualifying property ownership in Egypt can support temporary residence, with published value bands starting at USD $50,000.
Fiji
Fiji's investor permit is for an adult foreign investor who will invest in and operate a Fiji business. The current application page requires a registered…
Paraguay
The 2026 Paraguay Investor Pass lets a qualifying foreign investor seek direct permanent residence through a tourism project of at least USD $150,000,…
Tonga
A qualifying foreign-owned business in Tonga can support a business visa with the required ministry approval.
Uzbekistan
A qualifying investment in Uzbekistan’s businesses can support a three-year INV investment visa.
Vietnam
Vietnam's DT1–DT4 investor visas are for foreign investors whose capital contribution or investment project is formally documented in Vietnam. The…
Indonesia
Indonesia's Golden Visa routes offer five- or ten-year residence to major business investors and qualifying buyers of approved financial assets or…
Philippines
The Special Investor’s Resident Visa lets eligible applicants age 21 or older live in the Philippines while maintaining at least USD $75,000 in an…
Belize
Investors with at least BZD 500,000 invested in Belize can seek renewable annual residence. The category is designed for substantial investors whose…
Venezuela
A visa for investors or company representatives with an investment accepted by the relevant Venezuelan authorities.
Kyrgyzstan
A documented investment in eligible parts of Kyrgyzstan’s economy can support a long-term investment visa.
Namibia
Qualifying investors can apply for permission to establish, operate, or expand a Namibian business, for up to five years if approved.
El Salvador
El Salvador’s Freedom Visa program offers expedited naturalization based on a USD $1,000,000 contribution in Bitcoin or USDT, plus fees for accompanying…
El Salvador
The standard F4 investor route is for a qualifying leader or owner of a Salvadoran enterprise backed by an active, officially registered foreign-capital…
Nicaragua
Residence for investors whose qualifying investment is registered and certified by Nicaragua’s Ministry of Development, Industry and Trade.
Guatemala
A documented investment of at least USD $100,000 can support temporary residence in Guatemala. The applicant must explain the investment activity and…
Honduras
Honduras offers residence for a qualifying investment of at least USD $50,000. The application also requires a feasibility study, investment schedule,…
Sao Tome and Principe
Adults can apply for São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship through an approved nonrefundable donation, subject to background checks and government approval.
Laos
A qualifying investor in an approved Lao business can apply through the NI-B2 investor visa and stay-permit process.
Vanuatu
Vanuatu offers citizenship applications through specified contribution or approved-investment programs, subject to the program rules and government…
Vanuatu
Vanuatu currently publishes four investor categories with different purposes and durations: a 12-month provisional visa, a three-year operating-business…
Nepal
A substantial approved investment in a Nepal industrial enterprise can support a Residential Visa after government review.
Angola
Investors and their appointed representatives can apply for an Angolan Investor Visa linked to a registered investment project.
Naoero (Nauru)
Naoero's Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship pathway is for adult applicants and qualifying family members who can make the required contribution,…
Zambia
An adult investing in a new or existing Zambian business can apply for an Investor’s Permit with the required capital and company evidence.
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea has a Working Resident category for a qualifying business person or investor.
Solomon Islands
An existing Solomon Islands investor visa holder can seek the Established Investor category for a continuing qualifying business.
Solomon Islands
A registered investment activity and a qualifying points assessment can support a Solomon Islands Provisional Investor Visa.
Nigeria
Investors with USD $250,000 to USD $500,000 imported and retained in a Nigerian small enterprise can apply for investor residence. The business, funds, and…
Congo (Democratic Republic)
Promoters or authorized representatives of new businesses approved under DR Congo’s Investment Code can seek a special residence visa.
Mozambique
An approved investment project valued at least USD $500,000 can support the investor-visa process for a qualifying applicant linked to that project.
Curacao
Curaçao offers residence to investors making a qualifying investment of at least XCG 500,000. The investment must benefit the local economy, and the…
Jersey
Jersey may grant special housing status to high-net-worth applicants with substantial continuing income and a valuable contribution to island life.
Cook Islands
An approved foreign business investment can support a Cook Islands Resident Investor Visa and Permit.
Switzerland
Swiss facilitated naturalization through marriage is for spouses of Swiss citizens, with different rules depending on whether the couple lives in…
Switzerland
Switzerland's family residence framework lets qualifying partners, children, and certain other close family members join a citizen or lawful resident under…
Norway
Norway's family residence framework lets qualifying partners, children, and certain other close family members join a citizen or lawful resident under…
Iceland
Iceland family reunification can let close family members join someone who has a right to live in Iceland. Common categories include spouses and cohabiting…
Iceland
Non-EEA spouses and partners may be able to live in Iceland with an EEA, EFTA, or Swiss citizen under European free-movement family rules.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong allows specified relatives to join an eligible resident. Which relatives qualify, and whether they can work, depends on the sponsor’s…
Denmark
Denmark's family residence framework lets qualifying partners, children, and certain other close family members join a citizen or lawful resident under…
Sweden
Sweden's family residence framework lets qualifying partners, children, and certain other close family members join a citizen or lawful resident under…
Germany
Germany's family reunification pathway is for spouses, registered civil partners, and minor children joining a qualifying family member in Germany. It…
Ireland
Eligible non-European relatives of a British citizen can apply to live together in Ireland through its dedicated British-family scheme.
Ireland
A non-EEA family member of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen may live and work in Ireland under free-movement rules. The European family member must normally…
Ireland
An Irish citizen may sponsor qualifying non-EEA family members to live in Ireland. The relationship, sponsor's finances and applicant's circumstances must…
Ireland
An unmarried partner may qualify for Irish residence after normally living with an eligible partner for at least two years. The couple must prove a lasting…
Ireland
Spouses, civil partners and minor children can seek residence with a qualifying foreign resident in Ireland, subject to sponsor-specific rules.
Singapore
The legal spouse or unmarried child under 21 of a qualifying Singapore Employment Pass or S Pass holder can apply for a Dependant's Pass.
Australia
Australia's Aged Dependent Relative visa is a permanent route for a single older person who depends financially on an eligible relative in Australia. It…
Australia
Australia's Carer visa lets someone move permanently to Australia to care for a relative, or a member of that relative's household, who has a long-term…
Australia
Australia's Child visa lets a dependent child live permanently in Australia with a parent who is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or…
Australia
Australia's Dependent Child visa lets a dependent child stay in Australia temporarily while their parent's permanent Partner visa is being processed. It is…
Australia
Australia's Orphan Relative visa lets a child live permanently in Australia with an eligible relative when the child's parents are deceased, cannot care…
Australia
Australia's permanent Parent visas let a parent of a settled Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen move to…
Australia
Australia's offshore Partner visa is for a spouse, de facto partner, or registered partner of an eligible Australian sponsor who applies from outside…
Australia
Australia's onshore Partner visa is for a spouse, de facto partner, or registered partner of an eligible Australian sponsor who is applying from inside…
Australia
Subclass 300 lets an applicant outside Australia enter for 9 to 15 months to marry an eligible Australian-based prospective spouse. After marrying, the…
Australia
Australia's Remaining Relative visa is a permanent route for people whose only near relatives live in Australia as Australian citizens, permanent…
Australia
Australia's Sponsored Parent visa lets a parent of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen visit Australia…
Netherlands
A child under 18 may be able to live in the Netherlands with a parent who is Dutch or has a qualifying Dutch residence permit.
Netherlands
The Netherlands partner residence permit is for spouses, registered partners, and unmarried partners joining a Dutch citizen or qualifying Dutch…
Netherlands
A non-EU parent, caregiver, or minor sibling may be able to live in the Netherlands when a minor Dutch child depends on their care.
Netherlands
Non-EU spouses and partners may be able to live in the Netherlands with an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen under EU free-movement rules.
Liechtenstein
Eligible foreign residents in Liechtenstein can sponsor qualifying relatives, with different family and timing rules for European and other sponsors.
Finland
Finland's family residence framework lets qualifying partners, children, and certain other close family members join a citizen or lawful resident under…
Belgium
A spouse of a Belgian citizen can seek citizenship after five years of legal residence and at least three years living together in Belgium. Unlimited stay,…
Belgium
Belgium's family reunification route lets certain non-EU family members join a Belgian citizen in Belgium. It generally covers spouses, qualifying…
Belgium
Belgium's family reunification route can let certain family members join a non-EU citizen who is legally living in Belgium. It generally requires a…
Belgium
Non-EU spouses and partners may be able to live in Belgium with an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen under EU free-movement rules. The EU citizen generally needs…
Anguilla
A person married to an Anguillian or Belonger may apply for Anguilla’s Resident Stamp. The marriage and the spouse’s local status must be documented;…
Aruba
A spouse may seek temporary residence with a qualifying resident of Aruba. The sponsor’s status and, for some temporary residents, length of lawful stay…
Bermuda
The spouse or recognized domestic partner of a qualifying Bermuda work permit holder can apply for sponsored residence.
Gibraltar
A spouse or civil partner can accompany an employee or self-employed person admitted under Gibraltar’s new residence framework.
Gibraltar
An unmarried partner of a person with Gibraltarian Status can apply through a separate relationship-based residence process.
Pitcairn Islands
Pitcairn’s two-year settlement visa allows people with a close family member lawfully living on the island to seek approval to settle permanently.
United Kingdom
The UK Adult Dependent Relative visa is for an adult who needs long-term personal care from a close relative living permanently in the UK. It is a…
United Kingdom
The UK child family visa is for a child joining or staying with a qualifying parent in the UK. It generally requires the child to be under 18 or already on…
United Kingdom
The UK parent family visa is for a parent who needs to live in the UK to care for a qualifying child. It generally requires the child to live in the UK…
United Kingdom
The UK partner family visa is for spouses, civil partners, fiancees, proposed civil partners, and some long-term partners of a qualifying UK-based sponsor.…
New Zealand
The partner of an eligible student can apply for a New Zealand work visa based on a genuine relationship and the principal’s qualifying status.
New Zealand
The partner of an eligible worker can apply for a New Zealand work visa based on a genuine relationship and the principal’s qualifying status.
New Zealand
A New Zealand citizen or resident can support a resident visa for a single dependent child aged 24 or younger. Older children face additional rules about…
New Zealand
Parents sponsored by an adult New Zealand citizen or resident child can apply for visits lasting up to five years. The visa requires financial support,…
New Zealand
A parent or qualifying grandparent or former guardian can seek New Zealand residence with an eligible adult child as sponsor. Sponsors must meet residence…
New Zealand
A parent with an adult New Zealand citizen or resident child living in the country can seek residence by investing NZD 1 million for four years. A separate…
New Zealand
You may qualify for New Zealand residence through a citizen or resident partner after at least 12 months of living together in a genuine, continuing…
United Arab Emirates
UAE family sponsorship is for close relatives of UAE citizens or residents, most often spouses, children, and in some cases parents. It generally requires…
Canada
Canada's super visa lets eligible parents and grandparents visit a Canadian child or grandchild for up to five years at a time, with multiple entries over…
Canada
Canadian dependent child sponsorship is for a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian sponsoring a dependent child for permanent…
Canada
Canada allows sponsorship of certain other relatives only in very narrow situations, such as orphaned minor siblings, nieces, nephews, or grandchildren, or…
Canada
Canada spouse or partner sponsorship is for Canadian citizens and permanent residents sponsoring a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner for…
South Korea
South Korea's F-6 visa is for foreign spouses of Korean nationals. It generally requires a legal marriage, relationship evidence, Korean-spouse…
South Korea
South Korea’s F3 dependent route can let a spouse or minor child accompany a qualifying professional worker. This pathway focuses on sponsors with E1…
Luxembourg
Luxembourg has an option procedure for some spouses of Luxembourgish citizens. It generally depends on the spouse's Luxembourgish nationality, the couple's…
Luxembourg
This is a narrow fallback for non-EU citizens who do not qualify for ordinary family reunification but already share unusually strong, stable, and…
Luxembourg
Luxembourg family reunification can let certain close relatives join a Luxembourgish, EU, or legally resident non-EU family member. The exact relationship,…
United States
Some lawful permanent residents married to U.S. citizens can apply for naturalization after 3 years instead of the ordinary 5-year period.
United States
This green card route is for certain family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who do not fit the immediate-relative categories. It…
United States
The K-1 visa is for a foreign fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen who plans to enter the United States, marry within 90 days, and then apply for permanent…
United States
This green card route is for the spouse, unmarried child under 21, or parent of an adult U.S. citizen. It generally requires a qualifying family…
Austria
Residence to join an eligible close relative in Austria, subject to the family relationship and the sponsor’s status.
Austria
Qualifying non-European relatives can live in Austria with an EU or EEA citizen whose longer stay meets European free-movement rules.
Slovenia
Residence to join an eligible close relative in Slovenia, subject to the family relationship and the sponsor’s status.
Japan
Japan’s Dependent status allows an eligible foreign resident’s financially dependent spouse or child to live with them. The sponsor must hold a status…
Japan
Japan's Spouse or Child of Japanese National status is for the legal spouse of a Japanese national, a person born as the child of a Japanese national, or a…
Israel
This route is for a foreign national legally married to an Israeli citizen who will maintain a genuine, exclusive shared household and center of life in…
Malta
Residence to join an eligible close relative in Malta, subject to the family relationship and the sponsor’s status.
Spain
Spain has several family-based residence routes for close family members of Spanish citizens, EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, and some non-EU residents in Spain. It…
France
France family reunification is for a spouse or minor child joining a non-French foreign resident who is already legally settled in France. It generally…
France
This residence pathway is for close family members of a French citizen, such as a spouse, parent of a French child, child of a French citizen, or dependent…
France
French citizenship by marriage is for someone married to a French citizen long enough to apply by declaration. It generally requires a continuing marriage,…
France
France has a narrow citizenship declaration for some older parents or grandparents of French citizens who have lived in France for a long time. It…
Cyprus
Residence to join an eligible close relative in Cyprus, subject to the family relationship and the sponsor’s status.
Cyprus
Qualifying non-European relatives can live in Cyprus with an EU or EEA citizen whose longer stay meets European free-movement rules.
Italy
Italian citizenship by marriage or civil union is for spouses and registered civil-union partners of Italian citizens after a qualifying relationship…
Italy
Italy family reunification is for close family members joining an Italian or EU citizen in Italy, or joining a qualifying non-EU resident in Italy. It…
Taiwan
A spouse or minor child may join a qualifying foreign resident in Taiwan. The sponsor’s residence document and the applicant’s relationship determine…
Taiwan
Taiwan's spouse resident visa is for the foreign spouse of a Republic of China national. It generally requires proof of the marriage, the ROC spouse's…
Estonia
Residence to join an eligible close relative in Estonia, subject to the family relationship and the sponsor’s status.
Czechia (Czech Republic)
Czech family residence can let a non-EU citizen live with a qualifying Czech, EU, or legally resident non-EU family member in Czechia. The correct visa or…
Greece
Residence to join an eligible close relative in Greece, subject to the family relationship and the sponsor’s status.
Greece
Qualifying non-European relatives can live in Greece with an EU or EEA citizen whose longer stay meets European free-movement rules.
Bahrain
A qualifying spouse or child may be able to join a foreign resident in Bahrain. The relationship and the resident’s sponsorship conditions both matter.
Andorra
Andorra family reunification is for spouses, registered partners, children, and some dependent relatives of an Andorran citizen or qualifying resident. It…
San Marino
Qualifying spouses and dependent children can apply to join a resident in San Marino, with the form of permission depending on the sponsor’s status.
Poland
Poland has several family residence routes for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens joining a Polish citizen, a mobile EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, or an eligible non-EU…
Lithuania
Residence to join an eligible close relative in Lithuania, subject to the family relationship and the sponsor’s status.
Croatia
Residence to join an eligible close relative in Croatia, subject to the family relationship and the sponsor’s status.
Qatar
A qualifying spouse or child may be able to join a foreign resident in Qatar. The relationship and the resident’s sponsorship conditions both matter.
Portugal
Portugal's family reunification route is for close family members of Portuguese citizens, EU/EEA/Swiss citizens in Portugal, or non-EU residents who can…
Portugal
Portugal has a special residence route for parents who effectively exercise parental responsibilities and support a minor child who lives in Portugal or…
Portugal
A spouse or legally recognized unmarried partner of a Portuguese citizen may apply for Portuguese nationality after more than three years of marriage or…
Latvia
Residence to join an eligible close relative in Latvia, subject to the family relationship and the sponsor’s status.
Chile
Chile's family-reunification permit is for specific close relatives of a Chilean citizen or a person who holds current Residencia Definitiva. Both the…
Chile
Temporary residence for a qualifying spouse, partner, child, or stepchild of a Chilean temporary-residence holder or applicant.
Slovakia
Residence to join an eligible close relative in Slovakia, subject to the family relationship and the sponsor’s status.
Türkiye (Turkey)
Turkish citizenship by marriage is an application route for a person who has been married to a Turkish citizen for at least three years. The marriage must…
Türkiye (Turkey)
Residence to join an eligible close relative in Türkiye, subject to the family relationship and the sponsor’s status.
Hungary
Residence to join an eligible close relative in Hungary, subject to the family relationship and the sponsor’s status.
Argentina
Argentina's current family-reunification route gives temporary residence to specified close relatives of Argentine citizens and of temporary or permanent…
Kuwait
A qualifying foreign resident in Kuwait can support a spouse’s family residence application under Article 22.
Montenegro
Residence to join an eligible close relative in Montenegro, subject to the family relationship and the sponsor’s status.
Uruguay
A foreign spouse, judicially recognized partner, parent or sibling of a Uruguayan can apply directly for permanent residence by proving the relationship.
Romania
Residence to join an eligible close relative in Romania, subject to the family relationship and the sponsor’s status.
Bahamas
Under the Bahamas' current constitutional marriage provision, a non-Bahamian woman married to a Bahamian man may apply to be registered as a citizen. The…
Bahamas
The Resident Spouse Permit lets a non-Bahamian spouse live and work in The Bahamas while a genuine marriage to a Bahamian citizen is under five years old…
Bahamas
A foreign spouse of a Bahamian citizen may apply for permanent residence after five years of a continuing marriage while living together. Approval is…
Panama
Panama offers residence to qualifying spouses of Panamanian citizens and foreign parents of Panamanian children age five or older. Both routes normally…
Georgia
Georgia has family residence routes for defined family members of a Georgian citizen or a foreign national who holds a Georgian residence permit. The…
Oman
A qualifying spouse or child may be able to join a foreign resident in Oman. The relationship and the resident’s sponsorship conditions both matter.
Trinidad and Tobago
A parent or grandparent of a Trinidad and Tobago citizen or resident may apply for resident status when that family member lives there and is willing and…
Trinidad and Tobago
The spouse of a Trinidad and Tobago citizen or resident may apply for resident status when the marriage and sponsor's status can be documented. Approval…
Malaysia
A foreign spouse of a Malaysian citizen can apply for a Long-Term Social Visit Pass based on a legally recognized marriage.
Malaysia
The spouse or eligible child of a qualifying Malaysia Employment Pass holder can apply for a Dependant Pass through the principal worker’s employer.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica grants direct permanent residence to defined close blood relatives of a Costa Rican citizen: a parent, a minor child, an adult child with a…
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Spouses and minor children of Saint Kitts and Nevis work-permit holders can apply for temporary residence. The family application depends on the principal…
Serbia
Residence to join an eligible close relative in Serbia, subject to the family relationship and the sponsor’s status.
Thailand
The spouse or qualifying dependent child of a foreign worker in Thailand can apply for family-based Non-Immigrant O permission.
Thailand
Thailand's family Non-Immigrant O visa can permit a foreign spouse to visit or join a Thai citizen. The initial visa and any later in-country extension are…
Kazakhstan
A foreign spouse of a Kazakhstani citizen living permanently in Kazakhstan can apply for a C2 family-reunification visa if the marriage and support…
Kazakhstan
A qualifying family member of a foreign employee can apply for Kazakhstan’s C3 family permission linked to that worker.
Bulgaria
Residence to join an eligible close relative in Bulgaria, subject to the family relationship and the sponsor’s status.
Bulgaria
Qualifying non-European relatives can live in Bulgaria with an EU or EEA citizen whose longer stay meets European free-movement rules.
Barbados
Some spouses of Barbados citizens can apply for citizenship registration. The applicable constitutional or statutory provision matters; a marriage alone…
Barbados
Barbados has immigrant-status categories for a supported child under 18 of a citizen or permanent resident living there, and for a supported parent or…
Seychelles
A spouse of a Seychelles citizen can apply for family residence in Seychelles, subject to the required evidence and immigration decision.
Antigua and Barbuda
A foreign spouse living with an Antigua and Barbuda citizen can apply for residence after at least one year of marriage. The household must have financial…
Albania
Close family members of an Albanian citizen may obtain renewable residence by documenting the relationship and meeting the residence requirements. Spouses,…
Albania
Qualifying family members may join a foreign resident in Albania whose permit was issued for at least one year and can be renewed. The sponsor needs…
Bosnia and Herzegovina
This family-reunification pathway is for a foreign spouse or qualifying common-law partner joining a Bosnia and Herzegovina citizen or certain qualifying…
China
China’s Q1 route supports a family reunion lasting more than 180 days with a Chinese citizen living in China or a foreign permanent resident there.
China
China’s S1 route can support a stay of more than 180 days for certain close relatives of a foreign worker or student living in China.
Armenia
Armenia offers family residence to specified close relatives, but the allowed relationship depends on the sponsor's status. A temporary-resident sponsor…
Armenia
Armenia can waive its ordinary residence and Armenian-language requirements for some adults with an Armenian-citizen spouse, child, or parent. A spouse…
Mexico
Mexico's family-unity rules give different residence outcomes to different close relatives of Mexican citizens. A spouse or qualifying partner normally…
Mexico
Mexico's family-unity rules can let close family members join a foreigner who already holds Mexican temporary, student, or permanent residence. It…
Sri Lanka
A foreign spouse whose marriage to a Sri Lankan citizen has lasted more than five years can apply for Sri Lanka’s Permanent Residence Visa.
Dominican Republic
This route is for the foreign spouse or unmarried economically dependent child of a Dominican citizen or permanent resident. DGM can also accept a…
Ecuador
A foreign spouse or legally recognized partner of an Ecuadorian citizen may apply directly for permanent residence. The relationship must be legally…
Ecuador
Permanent residence through a covered close relationship to an Ecuadorian citizen or a foreign permanent resident.
Ecuador
Temporary residence for the spouse, recognized partner, or qualifying children of a foreign temporary resident in Ecuador.
Moldova
Residence to join an eligible close relative in Moldova, subject to the family relationship and the sponsor’s status.
Maldives
A foreign spouse in a legally registered marriage with a Maldivian citizen can seek a Marriage Visa.
North Macedonia
Residence to join an eligible close relative in North Macedonia, subject to the family relationship and the sponsor’s status.
Peru
Peru family resident status is for foreign nationals with a qualifying family tie to a Peruvian citizen or a foreign resident in Peru. It generally…
Azerbaijan
A qualifying close relationship with an Azerbaijani citizen can support temporary residence when the relationship and relative’s consent are documented.
Azerbaijan
Residence to join an eligible close relative in Azerbaijan, subject to the family relationship and the sponsor’s status.
Brazil
Brazilian family-reunion residence covers listed relatives of a Brazilian citizen or qualifying immigrant resident, including spouses or partners, children…
Kosovo
Residence to join an eligible close relative in Kosovo, subject to the family relationship and the sponsor’s status.
Colombia
Colombia has separate migrant visas for the foreign spouse and the formally recognized permanent partner of a Colombian citizen. The marriage route can be…
Colombia
This is a Migrant visa for a foreign parent of a person who is Colombian by birth. It can be issued for up to three years, grants open work authorization,…
Mongolia
Mongolia’s C2-1 category supports specified relatives of a C2 worker in science, education, or information technology. Other work sectors have their own…
Jamaica
A person dependent on an existing Jamaican permanent resident may apply to PICA under the dependent ground.
Jamaica
A foreign national married to a Jamaican citizen may apply to PICA for permanent residence on the marriage ground.
Jamaica
A non-Jamaican married to a Jamaican citizen can apply for citizenship by registration. The application relies on the marriage, the spouse’s citizenship,…
Ukraine
A qualifying spouse, parent or child of a Ukrainian citizen can seek outside-quota immigration approval and subsequent permanent-residence documentation.
Ukraine
Recognized family members can apply to join a foreign resident in Ukraine when the sponsor’s status permits reunification and support is documented.
Ukraine
A foreign spouse of a Ukrainian citizen can apply for temporary residence with proof of the marriage and the required entry and personal documents.
Tunisia
A foreign spouse joining a Tunisian citizen can apply under Tunisia’s marriage-based residence process.
Fiji
An unmarried foreign-passport-holding child under 18 with a Fiji citizen parent may apply for exemption status to enter, reside, and study in Fiji.
Fiji
A foreign passport holder who is legally married to a Fiji citizen may apply for exemption status to enter, reside, and study in Fiji. Separate work…
Fiji
The spouse or dependent unmarried child of a principal Fiji permit holder may apply for a co-extensive residence permit tied to that person's status.
Fiji
A foreign spouse or former spouse of a Fiji citizen may apply for citizenship by registration after meeting the statutory relationship, lawful-presence,…
Paraguay
A foreign spouse of a Paraguayan citizen, or a foreign child of a Paraguayan parent, can use the special Law No. 2193 process for direct permanent…
Vietnam
A foreign parent, spouse, or child of a Vietnamese citizen permanently residing in Vietnam may be considered for permanent residence after at least three…
Vietnam
Vietnam's TT category covers a foreign parent, spouse, or child of a Vietnamese citizen and a spouse or child under 18 of certain qualifying foreign visa…
South Africa
South Africa has family residence routes for spouses and close relatives of citizens or permanent residents, with different evidence and rights depending…
Indonesia
Indonesia's Global Citizen program offers indefinite permanent residence to certain former Indonesians, their descendants, and specified close family…
Philippines
A spouse or unmarried child under 21 can apply to be included as a dependent of a qualifying commercial 9(g) employment-visa holder in the Philippines.
Philippines
Residence for a qualifying spouse or surviving spouse of a Philippine citizen, subject to nationality reciprocity. Probation is usually one year before a…
Botswana
A qualifying spouse can apply for permission to live together in Botswana. The sponsor’s status and the relationship must be documented.
Belize
Belize's Dependent's Permit is a limited family permit for a dependent who is at least 55, is disabled, or is a child under 5, where a resident of Belize…
Bolivia
Temporary residence based on an accepted family relationship, marriage, adoption, or financial dependency in Bolivia.
Morocco
A legally recognized marriage to a Moroccan citizen provides a specific basis to apply for a residence card in Morocco.
Venezuela
A family visa for qualifying close relatives of a Venezuelan citizen.
Venezuela
A family visa for qualifying close relatives of a foreign permanent resident in Venezuela.
Kyrgyzstan
A spouse or child under 18 of a qualifying foreign resident can apply for Kyrgyzstan’s FF family visa.
Namibia
A qualifying spouse can apply for permission to live together in Namibia. The sponsor’s status and the relationship must be documented.
Gabon
A spouse of a Gabonese citizen or a qualifying foreign resident can apply for a Gabonese residence card.
El Salvador
Family members can apply to accompany a temporary or definitive resident of El Salvador. This check covers a spouse or documented partner, parent, or child…
El Salvador
A foreign spouse or formally documented cohabiting partner of a Salvadoran citizen can seek temporary residence and, after one uninterrupted year in that…
Tajikistan
A recognized family member of a foreign worker can apply for Tajikistan’s M family visa.
Nicaragua
Temporary residence for dependent close relatives of people holding qualifying Nicaraguan temporary residence.
Nicaragua
A residence category for certain close relatives of Nicaraguan citizens, including spouses, parents, and qualifying children.
Cabo Verde
A spouse abroad may apply to reunite with a person who holds valid residence permission in Cabo Verde.
India
A foreign spouse of an Indian citizen can seek an Entry Visa to join that spouse in India.
Guatemala
A foreign spouse or recognized partner of a Guatemalan citizen can seek permanent residence after the marriage or declared union has lasted at least one…
Guatemala
Foreign relatives of Guatemalan citizens can apply for permanent residence when their documented family connection falls within the legally recognized…
Honduras
A holder of a Honduran special stay permit can request permission for qualifying family members to accompany them. The sponsor must document the…
Honduras
A foreign spouse or recognized partner of a Honduran citizen can apply for residence after the marriage or formally recognized union has lasted three…
Honduras
Foreign parents, grandparents, and siblings of Honduran citizens by birth can apply for family residence. The application must prove both the relationship…
Sao Tome and Principe
A qualifying resident can apply to bring a spouse to São Tomé and Príncipe through family reunification.
Eswatini
A qualifying spouse can apply for permission to live together in Eswatini. The sponsor’s status and the relationship must be documented.
Vanuatu
Vanuatu's family rules include three legally different situations: citizenship from birth for a person born after July 30, 1980 with a Vanuatu-citizen…
Vanuatu
Vanuatu partner residence is for a spouse or genuine de facto partner of a Vanuatu citizen or current resident. It requires proof of the partner's status,…
Ghana
A spouse supported by a qualifying foreign resident can apply for dependent residence in Ghana under the published GIS checklist.
Kenya
A spouse of a Kenyan citizen or qualifying permit or permanent-residence holder can apply for family residence in Kenya, subject to the required evidence…
Angola
A qualifying spouse can apply for an Angolan temporary-stay visa to join an Angolan citizen or an eligible foreign resident or visa holder.
Tuvalu
Tuvalu’s Permit to Enter and Reside can cover family reunion or accompanying a qualifying resident spouse.
Congo (Republic)
A foreign spouse of a Congolese citizen can apply for a resident card in the Republic of the Congo.
Zambia
A spouse of a Zambian citizen, established resident or permanent-residence holder can apply for family residence in Zambia, subject to the required…
Cameroon
The spouse of a foreign national lawfully staying in Cameroon can seek permission to accompany or join that person.
Papua New Guinea
A qualifying dependent of a Papua New Guinea citizen can apply for temporary, nonworking residence.
Papua New Guinea
A spouse or qualifying dependent child can apply to join a foreign worker holding the appropriate Papua New Guinea entry permit.
Solomon Islands
A spouse or qualifying child may apply to accompany a foreign resident in Solomon Islands.
Uganda
A spouse of a Ugandan citizen or lawful foreign resident can apply for family residence in Uganda, subject to the required evidence and immigration…
Nigeria
A former Nigerian citizen by birth who formally renounced citizenship can apply for indefinite residence. This route needs proof of that former citizenship…
Nigeria
A foreign spouse of a Nigerian citizen can apply for residence through the N1A category. The application needs a documented marriage, the Nigerian spouse's…
Nigeria
Special Immigrant Status is a residence option for a non-Nigerian spouse of a Nigerian citizen who does not wish to acquire Nigerian citizenship. The…
Nigeria
Nigeria's citizenship-by-registration rule includes a woman who is or has been married to a Nigerian citizen. The rule is gendered in the constitutional…
Rwanda
A spouse of a foreign temporary resident can apply for family residence in Rwanda, subject to the required evidence and immigration decision.
Ivory Coast
A spouse supported by an Ivorian citizen or a qualifying foreign resident can apply for a resident card in Côte d’Ivoire.
Lesotho
A qualifying spouse can apply for permission to live together in Lesotho. The sponsor’s status and the relationship must be documented.
Ethiopia
A spouse of an Ethiopian citizen can apply for family residence in Ethiopia, subject to the required evidence and immigration decision.
Liberia
A dependent spouse accompanying a lawful foreign resident can apply for an individual resident permit in Liberia.
Faroe Islands
Qualifying partners, children and certain parents can apply to join an eligible resident in the Faroe Islands under local family rules.
Faroe Islands
Qualifying partners and minor children can join a Faroese worker when the sponsor’s income meets the applicable household-support requirement.
Isle of Man
Qualifying partners and children can apply to accompany an eligible Isle of Man worker or business migrant under the sponsor’s family rules.
Isle of Man
A qualifying spouse, civil partner or established unmarried partner can apply to live in the Isle of Man with a British or settled sponsor.
Jersey
Qualifying partners can apply to build a shared home in Jersey with a British, Irish or eligible settled sponsor.
Jersey
Eligible partners and children can join a Jersey long-term worker whose permit and salary support the household’s separate dependent applications.
Macao
Certain relatives of an eligible specialist nonresident worker may apply for special permission to stay in Macao. A worker card alone does not establish…
Switzerland
Swiss citizenship by descent is for people who had a Swiss parent when they were born, including cases where Swiss citizenship passed through an intact…
Norway
Norwegian citizenship by descent depends on having a Norwegian parent when you were born. A grandparent or older ancestor generally matters only if…
Iceland
Former Icelandic citizens may have a restoration, notification, or shortened naturalization route. The correct route depends on how and when citizenship…
Iceland
Icelandic citizenship by descent depends on having an Icelandic parent when you were born. A grandparent or older ancestor generally matters only if…
Iceland
A stateless person born in Iceland can acquire Icelandic citizenship by notification before age 21 if they have lived continuously in Iceland since birth…
Iceland
Some young people who grew up in Iceland, and some unaccompanied young people who are stateless or received protection there, can acquire citizenship by…
Iceland
A child adopted by an Icelandic citizen before age 18 can acquire Icelandic citizenship when the adoption is issued in Iceland or recognized there.
Denmark
Danish citizenship by descent depends on having a Danish parent when you were born. A grandparent or older ancestor generally matters only if citizenship…
Sweden
Swedish citizenship by descent depends on having a Swedish parent when you were born. A grandparent or older ancestor generally matters only if citizenship…
Germany
Germany's Section 6 route is for people adopted as minors by a German parent. It generally requires proof of the adoption, timing, and the adoptive…
Germany
This citizenship pathway is for people who may already be citizens because they were born in Germany or in another qualifying birth situation connected to…
Germany
German citizenship by descent is for people who may already be German because citizenship passed from a German parent, grandparent, or older ancestor…
Germany
Germany's Section 5 declaration route is for people whose family line was blocked by older German citizenship rules that treated mothers, unmarried…
Germany
Germany's Section 15 StAG route is for people whose German citizenship was lost, denied, or never acquired because of Nazi-era persecution, and for their…
Germany
Germany's Article 116(2) route is for people whose German citizenship was taken away by the Nazi regime, and for their descendants. It generally requires…
Germany
Germany has a residence route for former German citizens. A former German may be entitled to settlement or residence if they had ordinary residence in…
Ireland
If you were born abroad to a parent who was Irish when you were born and was born on the island of Ireland, you are generally Irish from birth. You…
Ireland
A person born abroad to an Irish parent who was also born abroad may qualify for the Foreign Births Register. The parent must normally have been Irish…
Ireland
A person born abroad with an Irish-born grandparent can often become Irish by registering on the Foreign Births Register. Citizenship normally starts on…
Ireland
People born anywhere on the island of Ireland before January 1, 2005 are generally entitled to Irish citizenship. This includes Northern Ireland. Most…
Ireland
People born in Ireland or Northern Ireland from January 1, 2005 generally qualify through a parent's citizenship, unrestricted right to live there, or…
Ireland
An adoption can give a child Irish citizenship if an adoptive parent is Irish and the adoption qualifies under Irish law. An overseas adoption must be…
Ireland
A narrow exception can give Irish citizenship from birth to someone born abroad whose Irish parent was also born abroad. It applies when that parent was…
Singapore
Singapore citizenship by descent can apply to a person born abroad after 16 September 1963, but the qualifying parent rule differs for births before and…
Australia
Australia's Adoption visa lets a child adopted outside Australia live permanently in Australia with an adoptive parent. It generally requires the child to…
Australia
Australian citizenship by resumption is for former Australian citizens who lost or gave up Australian citizenship and want it restored. It generally…
Australia
Australian citizenship by adoption is for people adopted by an Australian citizen in a way Australian law recognizes. It generally turns on the adoption…
Australia
This citizenship pathway is for people who may already be citizens because they were born in Australia or in another qualifying birth situation connected…
Australia
Citizenship by descent can cover a foreign birth to an Australian parent, or a separate pre-1949 category. The relevant parental status, any two-year…
Netherlands
Dutch citizenship by descent is for people whose Dutch citizenship passed through an intact parent-child chain. It generally requires proof of each…
Netherlands
The Dutch option procedure is a simplified citizenship route for people with certain close Dutch ties or historical Dutch-citizenship situations. It…
Finland
Finnish citizenship by descent depends on having a Finnish parent when you were born. A grandparent or older ancestor generally matters only if citizenship…
Belgium
Former Belgian citizens may recover nationality through a declaration. Ordinary applicants need twelve months of legal residence and unlimited stay in…
Belgium
Belgian citizenship by adoption can apply when a person was adopted before age 18 by a Belgian citizen and the adoption fits Belgium's…
Belgium
This citizenship pathway is for people who may already be citizens because they were born in Belgium or in another qualifying birth situation connected to…
Belgium
Belgian citizenship by descent usually depends on having a Belgian parent when you were born. Born-abroad cases may also depend on where the Belgian parent…
Belgium
Belgium has a nationality declaration route for adults who were born in Belgium and have legally lived there since birth. It is separate from automatic…
United Kingdom
UK automatic citizenship by descent is for people born outside the UK on or after January 1, 1983 who had a British parent able to pass citizenship at…
United Kingdom
UK Section 1(4) is an entitlement route for people born in the UK who did not become British at birth but lived there through their first ten years. It…
United Kingdom
UK Section 3(5) is a registration route for minor children of a British citizen by descent when the child and parents build the required UK residence. It…
United Kingdom
UK Section 13 resumption is for people who previously renounced British citizenship and want it back. It generally requires proof of the former British…
United Kingdom
UK Sections 4G-4I are registration routes for people who missed British citizenship because older law treated unmarried British fathers differently. They…
United Kingdom
If you were born outside the UK before 1983 and your mother was British, Section 4C may let you register as a British citizen by descent. A UK-born mother…
United Kingdom
This route is for people born before 1983 who missed British Overseas Territories Citizenship (BOTC) because their mother could not pass on status in the…
United Kingdom
UK Section 3(2) is a registration route for minor children of a British citizen by descent where the British parent has lived in the UK for the required…
United Kingdom
This route is for people who missed British Overseas Territories Citizenship (BOTC) because older law did not treat unmarried fathers the same way as…
United Kingdom
UK citizenship through adoption is for people adopted through a qualifying process by a British citizen. It generally requires proof of the adoption, the…
United Kingdom
This citizenship pathway is for people who may already be citizens because they were born in the United Kingdom or in another qualifying birth situation…
United Kingdom
People born in the UK on or after 1 January 1983 may already be British if a parent had a qualifying status when they were born. This usually means a…
United Kingdom
Direct descendants of someone born in the British Indian Ocean Territory can apply for British Overseas Territories citizenship and British citizenship…
United Kingdom
UK Section 4L is a broad registration route for people who would have become British but for historical legislative unfairness or official acts or…
United Kingdom
Some people who already hold another type of British nationality can register as British citizens. The route can cover British overseas citizens, British…
United Kingdom
UK Section 4A is for current British Overseas Territories Citizens who want to register as British citizens. It generally requires proof of BOTC status,…
United Kingdom
A child born in the UK after 1982 may be entitled to register as British if they were not British at birth but later a parent became British, settled, or…
United Kingdom
This discretionary route is for adults who can show they would have become, or could have become, British Overseas Territories Citizens but for a specific…
United Kingdom
The UK Ancestry visa is for Commonwealth citizens, Zimbabwe citizens, and British nationals (overseas) who have a qualifying UK-born grandparent and want…
United Kingdom
The UK has registration routes for people who are not recognized as citizens of any country. Eligibility depends on when and where the person was born and…
United Kingdom
The UK Returning Resident visa can restore indefinite leave to remain for someone who was previously settled in the UK but has been away long enough for…
United Kingdom
Some Commonwealth citizens have a retained right of abode in the UK through a UK-born parent or a pre-1983 marriage. It is not a visa: it is the right to…
New Zealand
Most people born in New Zealand before January 1, 2006 are citizens by birth. For later births, a parent generally must have been a citizen or entitled to…
New Zealand
A person born abroad can usually register as a New Zealand citizen if a parent was a citizen by birth or an eligible grant when the person was born. A…
New Zealand
A special citizenship grant covers people born in Western Samoa between May 13, 1924 and December 31, 1948, and certain pre-1949 children or spouses. The…
New Zealand
A Permanent Resident Visa gives existing New Zealand residents indefinite permission to leave and return. Most applicants need two continuous years on a…
New Zealand
Some former New Zealand residents can recover residence after their visa expired because of travel. Eligibility depends on their rights and circumstances…
United Arab Emirates
A child of an Emirati mother and a foreign father may apply for a discretionary UAE citizenship grant. Article 10 Bis allows a grant after at least six…
United Arab Emirates
UAE law recognizes citizenship by operation of law through a father who is an Emirati citizen by operation of law. It also recognizes a narrower…
Canada
Canadian citizenship by adoption may apply if you were born outside Canada and legally adopted by a parent who was Canadian at the time, including…
Canada
This citizenship pathway is for people who may already be citizens because they were born in Canada or in another qualifying birth situation connected to…
Canada
Canadian citizenship by descent may apply to people born outside Canada through a Canadian biological parent or a Canadian legal parent at birth. The 2025…
South Korea
This pathway is for people who may already have acquired South Korean nationality at birth through a Korean parent. The rule depends on the applicant's…
South Korea
South Korea's F-4 status is for foreign nationals who formerly held Korean nationality or are direct descendants of a former Korean national. General…
Luxembourg
Luxembourg has a reclamation procedure for some former Luxembourgish citizens. It generally requires proving that you previously held Luxembourgish…
Luxembourg
Luxembourg's option procedure can help some people whose life has already been closely connected to Luxembourg through birth, schooling, childhood…
Luxembourg
Luxembourg nationality by option is for adults with a Luxembourgish parent, adoptive parent, or grandparent where nationality did not automatically pass…
Luxembourg
Luxembourg citizenship by descent is for people whose Luxembourgish parent could pass nationality when the parent-child relationship was established. It…
United States
This pathway is for people born outside the United States who may have been U.S. citizens from birth through a U.S. citizen parent. It generally depends on…
United States
Some people born outside the United States became U.S. citizens after birth as children when they lived in the United States as lawful permanent residents…
United States
Most people born in a U.S. state or Washington, D.C., are citizens from birth. Federal statutes also cover qualifying births in Puerto Rico and the U.S.…
Austria
Austrian citizenship by descent is mainly for people who had an Austrian parent when they were born. It generally requires proof of the parent-child link,…
Austria
Austria's Section 58c declaration route is for a persecuted person or that person's direct descendants when the ancestor fits one of the law's precise…
Slovenia
Article 13 can support a discretionary national-interest citizenship application by a person of Slovenian descent through a parent or grandparent. It…
Slovenia
You may acquire Slovenian citizenship through a parent who was Slovenian when you were born. Some children are citizens automatically; others born abroad…
Japan
Japan's Long-Term Resident status can cover documented second- and third-generation descendants of Japanese emigrants. It is an ancestry-based residence…
Japan
A person is generally Japanese from birth if a legal parent was Japanese at that time. For a child born abroad who also acquired a foreign nationality at…
Israel
The Law of Return gives a qualifying Jewish person and specified close family members a right to immigrate to Israel, subject to proof and the law's…
Israel
This route is for a person who acquired Israeli citizenship at birth through an Israeli-citizen parent. A limited rule also covers a parent who died as an…
Malta
Maltese citizenship by descent is for direct-line descendants of an ancestor born in Malta whose parent was also born in Malta. It generally requires…
Spain
Spain's national long-term residence status is for non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who have already lived legally and continuously in Spain for the required…
Spain
Spanish nationality by option is a declaration route for the limited cases in Article 20 of the Civil Code, including certain parental-authority,…
Spain
Spanish nationality by origin covers people born to a Spanish parent, people born in Spain in specific protected cases, and people adopted by a Spanish…
France
Reintegration is for someone who personally held and then lost French nationality. A declaration is limited to specified loss situations and requires clear…
France
This citizenship pathway is for people who may already be citizens because they were born in France or in another qualifying birth situation connected to…
France
French citizenship by descent is for people who had a French parent when they were born, including cases where French nationality passed through an intact…
France
Some people born in France can declare French nationality as the sibling of a person who became French through France's birth-and-residence rules. This is…
France
A qualifying plenary adoption by a French citizen can make a minor French by parentage. Simple adoption is different: it does not confer nationality…
Cyprus
Cypriot citizenship by descent is for people of Cypriot origin, including children born abroad to a Cypriot parent and some adults with older Cypriot…
Italy
Italian citizenship reacquisition is a temporary route for certain former Italian citizens who lost citizenship before August 16, 1992. It generally…
Italy
A person adopted as a minor by an Italian citizen may acquire citizenship once the adoption is effective for Italian law, but the 2025 limits on automatic…
Italy
Italy has narrow citizenship-by-birth rules for people born in Italy. This can cover a child of an Italian parent, a person who would otherwise have had no…
Italy
For a person born abroad who also has another nationality, Italian citizenship by descent now normally requires a parent or grandparent who held only…
Italy
Italy's EU long-term residence permit is for non-EU citizens who have already lived legally and continuously in Italy for the required period, usually five…
Taiwan
Taiwan/ROC nationality by parentage is for people whose parent was an ROC national when they were born. It generally requires proof of the parent-child…
Estonia
Estonian citizenship by descent is for people who had an Estonian parent when they were born, including cases where Estonian citizenship passed through an…
Czechia (Czech Republic)
Czech citizenship confirmation is for people who may already be Czech because Czech or Czechoslovak citizenship passed to them through an intact…
Czechia (Czech Republic)
This declaration can help certain children and grandchildren of someone who lost Czech or Czechoslovak citizenship before January 1, 2014. The qualifying…
Czechia (Czech Republic)
Section 31 allows certain former Czech or Czechoslovak citizens to acquire Czech citizenship by declaration. It covers the principal pre-2014 loss branch…
Czechia (Czech Republic)
Czechia's Section 32 declaration route is for a narrow group of people connected to former Czechoslovak citizens who were still CSFR citizens at the end of…
Czechia (Czech Republic)
This narrow rule applies when a child was born in Czechia, would otherwise have been stateless, both parents were stateless, and at least one parent held…
Czechia (Czech Republic)
A third-country national who has completed five years of qualifying continuous temporary residence in Czechia may apply for permanent residence.
Czechia (Czech Republic)
This discretionary permanent-residence route is for people abroad who can prove Czech ethnic origin and a real connection to Czech language or culture. It…
Greece
Greece has specific identity and residence procedures for certain non-citizens whom Greek authorities recognize as people of Greek origin (omogeneis).…
Greece
A child of a Greek citizen generally acquires Greek citizenship at birth. For a person born abroad, the practical process is to prove that a parent was…
Andorra
This citizenship pathway is for people who may already be citizens because they were born in Andorra or in another qualifying birth situation connected to…
Poland
Polish citizenship confirmation is for a person who may already be a Polish citizen under the law, often through a Polish-citizen parent or an earlier…
Poland
Poland's repatriation visa is a narrow route for a principal applicant of Polish origin who permanently resided before 1 January 2001 in a listed…
Poland
Polish citizenship restoration is for people who personally had Polish citizenship and lost it before 1 January 1999. It is not a descent route for…
Poland
A foreign child fully adopted by one or more Polish citizens before turning 16 acquires Polish citizenship by law and is treated as having acquired it from…
Poland
Karta Polaka is a Polish diaspora status document for people who can show Polish identity, basic Polish language ability, and a qualifying Polish family or…
Lithuania
A non-Lithuanian citizen who is legally a person of Lithuanian origin or has the right to restore Lithuanian citizenship may apply directly for a…
Lithuania
Lithuanian citizenship restoration is for a former pre-15 June 1940 Lithuanian citizen or that citizen's child, grandchild, or great-grandchild. It…
Lithuania
Lithuania's simplified citizenship procedure is for a person who has never been a Lithuanian citizen, has a parent or grandparent who is or was ethnically…
Croatia
Croatian citizenship by origin is a parent-based route. For people born on or after 8 October 1991, the result depends on whether one or both parents were…
Croatia
Article 11 lets a qualifying Croatian emigrant and that emigrant's descendants apply for Croatian citizenship without living in Croatia or passing the…
Portugal
Portugal has a special naturalization route for people who have legally lived in Portugal for at least five years and have a Portuguese great-grandparent.
Portugal
A minor child may be able to acquire Portuguese nationality when a parent acquired Portuguese nationality after the child's birth. The route depends on the…
Portugal
Portugal has consolidation routes for people who have already lived legally in Portugal for about five years, including permanent residence and EU…
Portugal
Portugal has special residence-permit routes for certain people born in Portugal, raised there, or connected to a parent's Portuguese residence. These…
Portugal
Portugal has limited routes for certain former Portuguese citizens to get nationality back. These include some older loss situations, such as loss during…
Portugal
A person adopted by a Portuguese citizen may be able to acquire Portuguese nationality by declaration. The key facts are the adoption, the adoptive…
Portugal
Portuguese nationality law includes several birth-in-Portugal rules. A person born in Portugal may already be Portuguese, or may be able to confirm…
Portugal
Portuguese citizenship by descent is mainly for people with a Portuguese parent or grandparent. Parent cases are usually more direct, while grandparent…
Latvia
Adult descendants of a person who was a Latvian citizen on June 17, 1940 may seek citizenship recognition without proving exile. Historical citizenship,…
Latvia
This citizenship route is for people who can prove Latvian or Liv ethnic origin under Latvia's special nationality rules. It generally requires documentary…
Latvia
Latvia's exile-restoration route is for descendants of Latvian citizens who left during the occupation period or were forced into exile. It generally…
Chile
Most people born in Chile are Chilean citizens from birth. This check separates an ordinary Chilean birth record from the two constitutional exceptions and…
Chile
A person born outside Chile may be Chilean through a Chilean parent when the family line also contains a parent or grandparent who obtained Chilean…
Slovakia
You may already be a Slovak citizen if a parent was Slovak when you were born, including if you were born abroad. This route provides official proof of…
Slovakia
You may apply if a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent was a Czechoslovak citizen born in present-day Slovakia and you have never been Slovak. No…
Slovakia
Former Slovak citizens may apply to recover citizenship under rules that depend on when and how they lost it. An ancestor’s citizenship does not qualify…
Slovakia
A valid Slovak Living Abroad certificate can support a citizenship application after three years of continuous residence in Slovakia. Another branch…
Slovakia
The Slovak Living Abroad certificate recognizes a documented Slovak family connection and active involvement in Slovak culture, language, or community…
Türkiye (Turkey)
Turkish citizenship by descent is for a person whose mother or father was a Turkish citizen when that person was born. Birth in Türkiye or a Turkish…
Türkiye (Turkey)
The Mavi Kart documents Article 28 rights for a person who was Turkish by birth and left citizenship with official permission, and for qualifying…
Hungary
Hungarian citizenship confirmation is for people whose Hungarian citizenship already passed through an intact family chain. It generally requires records…
Hungary
This is a simplified-naturalization screening route for people whose Hungarian-citizen or Hungarian-origin ancestor came from territory of the former…
Argentina
People born in Argentina are generally Argentine citizens from birth, regardless of their parents' nationality or immigration status. The main statutory…
Argentina
A person born abroad can opt for Argentine nationality through an Argentine parent. The clearest consular route is for a child of a parent born in…
Uruguay
People born in Uruguay are Uruguayan natural citizens, whatever their parents' nationality or immigration status was at the time.
Uruguay
Foreign-born children and grandchildren of Uruguay-born people can document qualifying status through descent. Settlement and Electoral Court registration…
Romania
Romanian citizenship by descent or restoration is for people with an intact Romanian citizenship chain, or descendants of former Romanian citizens within…
Bahamas
A person born in The Bahamas after July 9, 1973 to two non-citizen parents may apply to register as a citizen during the 12 months beginning on their 18th…
Bahamas
A person born in The Bahamas may already be a citizen under the 1973 independence rules or because either biological parent was Bahamian when the person…
Bahamas
For a person born outside The Bahamas, citizenship depends on which parent is relied on, whether the parents were married, how that parent became Bahamian,…
Panama
People born in Panama are Panamanian citizens by birth under the Constitution, regardless of their parents’ nationality or immigration status. The main…
Panama
If you were born abroad to a Panamanian parent, you may qualify for Panamanian citizenship by birth. The rules depend on how the parent became Panamanian…
Georgia
Georgian citizenship may apply through a parent, with proof of nationality and legal parentage. Pre-June 11, 2014 overseas births and earlier recognition…
Trinidad and Tobago
Former T&T citizens may have a restoration or certificate route if citizenship ended because of acquiring, or renouncing to acquire, another citizenship.
Trinidad and Tobago
A child adopted under Trinidad and Tobago law can acquire citizenship when at least one adoptive parent is a citizen. The qualifying adoption must occur…
Trinidad and Tobago
Since October 10, 2025, a person born outside Trinidad and Tobago can qualify directly through a citizen grandparent, including one who was a citizen by…
Trinidad and Tobago
A person born in Trinidad and Tobago is generally a citizen at birth, subject to narrow diplomatic and enemy-alien exceptions in the Constitution.
Trinidad and Tobago
Since October 10, 2025, a person born outside Trinidad and Tobago can qualify through a parent who was a citizen at the time of birth, including a citizen…
Trinidad and Tobago
A parent or guardian can seek discretionary citizenship registration for a child born abroad whose parent is a Trinidad and Tobago citizen. The child must…
Trinidad and Tobago
Commonwealth citizens, Republic of Ireland citizens, and British protected persons can be registered as Trinidad and Tobago citizens after meeting the…
Trinidad and Tobago
A former Trinidad and Tobago citizen who ceased to be a citizen because they voluntarily acquired another citizenship may apply for resident status under a…
Malaysia
Malaysian citizenship through a parent depends on the birth date, parent’s status, parents’ marital status and registration rules. Some cases are…
Costa Rica
Birth in Costa Rica can lead to Costa Rican citizenship, but the rule depends on the parents. A child of a Costa Rican parent is Costa Rican by birth; a…
Costa Rica
A person born outside Costa Rica can become Costa Rican by birth when a parent is Costa Rican by birth and the person is registered while under 18 or…
Saint Kitts and Nevis
A person born in Saint Kitts and Nevis on or after 19 September 1983 is generally a citizen from birth. Two narrow constitutional exceptions apply, while a…
Saint Kitts and Nevis
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs describes citizenship by descent for a person whose parent or grandparent was born in Saint Kitts and Nevis. The exact…
Serbia
Serbian citizenship by descent depends on birthplace and both parents' citizenship at the time of birth. Some people acquire it automatically; a person…
Serbia
Serbia has two application routes relevant to many families abroad: Article 18 for an emigrant from the Republic of Serbia or the emigrant's descendant,…
Thailand
Thai citizenship by descent is for people whose parent was Thai when they were born. It generally requires proof of the Thai parent-child link and, for…
Bulgaria
Bulgaria's origin route is for people who can document Bulgarian origin through a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent when ordinary descent…
Bulgaria
Bulgarian citizenship by descent is for people born to a Bulgarian-citizen parent, including cases where Bulgarian citizenship passed through an intact…
Barbados
A person born in Barbados after 29 November 1966 is generally a citizen from birth unless a narrow diplomatic or enemy-occupation exception applied. A…
Barbados
A person born outside Barbados may have acquired citizenship through a Barbadian parent, but the result depends on the birth date, which parent was…
Barbados
An adult Commonwealth or Irish citizen may apply for discretionary registration after a seven-year period of qualifying Barbados residence, government…
Barbados
Barbados permanent resident registration is available under a limited set of legal categories, including certain people who have held immigrant status for…
Grenada
An adult born abroad whose parents were never Grenadian citizens may apply through a Grenadian grandparent. Approval is discretionary and requires good…
Grenada
A person born in Grenada on or after independence on 7 February 1974 is generally a citizen at birth, subject to the Constitution's narrow foreign-envoy…
Grenada
For a person born outside Grenada on or after 7 February 1974, citizenship at birth generally requires a mother or father who was a Grenadian citizen at…
Antigua and Barbuda
For births on or after 1 November 1981, the Constitution generally grants citizenship at birth to a person born in Antigua and Barbuda, subject to two…
Antigua and Barbuda
A person born abroad on or after 1 November 1981 can be a citizen at birth where a parent held the kind of citizenship specified in section 113:…
Antigua and Barbuda
People with at least four continuous years of lawful ordinary residence immediately before applying can seek a residence permit in Antigua and Barbuda.…
Albania
Albanian citizenship through a parent depends on the law that applied at your birth. One Albanian-citizen parent is enough under the current rule, but…
Bosnia and Herzegovina
This parent-to-child citizenship route depends on where and when the child was born, whether one or both parents were Bosnia and Herzegovina citizens at…
Armenia
Armenian citizenship through ethnic origin is for people who can prove Armenian heritage, even without ordinary long-term residence in Armenia. It…
Armenia
Armenian citizenship through a parent is for people who had an Armenian-citizen parent when they were born or who can acquire citizenship through that…
Armenia
Armenian ancestry can support a ten-year special-residence application under the current rules. An enacted reform replaces new grants from November 1,…
Mexico
Mexico has a one-year naturalization route for some people adopted by Mexican citizens or placed under their parental authority. It requires a qualifying…
Mexico
People born in Mexican territory are Mexican nationals by birth regardless of their parents' nationality or immigration status. This pathway is usually…
Mexico
Mexican citizenship by descent is for people born abroad with a Mexican parent, and in some cases a family line where the parent can claim Mexican…
Sri Lanka
A former Sri Lankan citizen whose citizenship ceased under the specified provisions of the Citizenship Act can apply for a Permanent Residence Visa.
Dominican Republic
This pathway is for a person born in the Dominican Republic whose birth falls outside the constitutional exclusions for children of foreign diplomats,…
Dominican Republic
This pathway is for a person born outside the Dominican Republic who can document that at least one legal parent is Dominican. The practical process is…
Saint Lucia
This pathway is for people born in Saint Lucia who may already be citizens under the post-independence birth rule or the Constitution's independence-day…
Saint Lucia
A person born outside Saint Lucia may already be a citizen through a Saint Lucian parent. A separate rule can cover certain people through a parent or…
Ecuador
You can apply for permanent residence after at least 21 continuous months of qualifying temporary residence in Ecuador, with no more than 90 days abroad…
Ecuador
A person born in Ecuador is Ecuadorian by birth under Article 7 of the Constitution, regardless of the parents' nationality or immigration status. The…
Ecuador
A person born abroad can be Ecuadorian by birth when a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent was born in Ecuador. Civil records must connect every…
Moldova
This pathway covers three different situations: citizenship from birth through a Moldovan parent, citizenship recognition through qualifying Moldovan or…
North Macedonia
North Macedonian citizenship by descent is mainly a parent-to-child route, with registration deadlines for many people born abroad to one citizen parent.…
Peru
Peruvian nationality by birth or parentage covers people born in Peru and some people born abroad to a Peruvian parent. It generally requires registration…
Brazil
A person born in Brazil is generally a natural-born Brazilian citizen. The narrow constitutional exception is a child whose parents were foreign and were…
Brazil
A person born abroad to a Brazilian parent can be a natural-born Brazilian through the parent's service to Brazil, consular birth registration, or…
Colombia
A person born in Colombia is Colombian by birth when a parent was Colombian, or when a foreign parent had the legally required domicile in Colombia at the…
Colombia
A person born outside Colombia can be Colombian by birth through a Colombian mother or father. The person must also register the foreign birth with a…
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines accepts permanent-residence applications after seven consecutive years of temporary residence or from holders of an…
Jamaica
Former Jamaican citizens who formally renounced their citizenship can apply to have it restored. PICA requires evidence of the former citizenship, the…
Jamaica
Jamaican citizenship by descent is for people born outside Jamaica who qualify through a Jamaican parent. The rule differs depending on whether the…
Suriname
A residence process for foreign citizens with a qualifying Surinamese origin, including certain people born in Suriname and their children.
Ukraine
People eligible through the statutory territorial-origin connection may apply for an immigration permit outside the quota and then obtain…
Ukraine
A qualifying personal or family connection to Ukrainian territory can support citizenship registration, with current language, civic-knowledge and…
Ukraine
People who acquired Ukrainian citizenship through a parent at birth can seek recognition and the documents that establish their citizenship.
Dominica
A person born in Dominica on or after independence on 3 November 1978 is generally a citizen at birth, subject to the Constitution's narrow foreign-envoy…
Dominica
Citizenship for a person born abroad depends on a parent who was already Dominican through birth in Dominica or a qualifying independence provision.…
Dominica
People with five years of residence or employment in Dominica may apply for permanent residence. Approval remains discretionary and requires records of…
Fiji
An adult who previously held Fijian citizenship can apply to be registered again as a Fiji citizen, subject to identity, former-citizenship, character, and…
Fiji
Fiji citizenship can arise from birth in Fiji on or after April 10, 2009, or through a parent who was actually a Fiji citizen when the applicant was born.…
Paraguay
A person born abroad to a qualifying Paraguayan parent can obtain Paraguayan natural nationality, but the procedure depends on whether a parent was serving…
Paraguay
A person born in Paraguayan territory is a Paraguayan national by origin under Article 146 of the Constitution and Law No. 7052.
Vietnam
Former Vietnamese citizens can apply for restoration without a separate family, investment or return-to-Vietnam ground. Approval and permission to keep…
Vietnam
Vietnamese citizenship at birth depends on each parent's citizenship when the child was born and, in some mixed-nationality families, the nationality…
Lebanon
A person born to a Lebanese father may already be Lebanese. The practical task is proving the father’s status and registering the birth in Lebanese…
South Africa
South Africans affected by the invalid former retention-permission rule can confirm citizenship through the reinstatement portal. Other former citizens may…
South Africa
South African citizenship law includes a route for children adopted by South African citizens, subject to the adoption being legally recognized and the…
South Africa
South African citizenship by birth can apply to people born in South Africa, especially where a parent was a South African citizen, where the person would…
South Africa
South African law can treat a person born outside South Africa as a citizen when a parent was a South African citizen at the time of birth. The practical…
Philippines
If you were Filipino from birth and became a citizen of another country through naturalization, Republic Act 9225 may let you retain or regain Philippine…
Philippines
You are usually Filipino from birth if either parent was a Philippine citizen when you were born, including if you were born abroad. You may need to report…
Belize
A person born in Belize before independence generally became a citizen on September 21, 1981, and a person born there from that date is generally a citizen…
Belize
Belizean citizenship by descent covers a person born abroad from September 21, 1981 whose parent was Belizean at the birth, plus specific parent,…
El Salvador
A person born in El Salvador is Salvadoran by birth under Article 90(1) of the Constitution.
El Salvador
A person born abroad is Salvadoran by birth when their mother or father was Salvadoran at the time of birth. A separate 2026 rule can cover some minor…
Bangladesh
Eligible foreign citizens of Bangladeshi origin, and qualifying spouses and children, can seek a No Visa Required endorsement in their foreign passport.
India
OCI registration is for certain foreign citizens with a qualifying Indian-origin connection, minor children of Indian citizens, and some foreign spouses of…
India
Indian citizenship by descent is a narrow statutory route for people born outside India to an Indian parent, with different rules for births before…
Ghana
Adults of African descent in the diaspora with substantial prior residence and ties to Ghana may apply for discretionary Right of Abode.
Ghana
A former Ghanaian who lost Ghanaian citizenship through acquiring another nationality can apply for Right of Abode.
Ghana
Ghanaian citizenship through family depends on the law in force on the applicant's date of birth. The broad parent-or-grandparent rule applies to people…
Kenya
Kenya's Constitution treats a person as a citizen by birth if, on the day the person was born, either the mother or father was a Kenyan citizen. The rule…
Nepal
A foreign passport holder with a valid Non-Resident Nepali card can seek the associated Nepal visa and extensions.
Nigeria
Nigerian citizenship by birth covers people who fit Section 25 of Nigeria's Constitution. The clearest modern case is a person born outside Nigeria to a…
Nigeria
Nigerian citizenship by registration can be available to an adult born outside Nigeria whose grandparent is a Nigerian citizen. The applicant must also…
Pakistan
Certain foreign nationals with documented Pakistani origin or a qualifying family connection can apply for a Pakistan Origin Card.
Benin
Benin allows qualifying adult descendants of people deported from sub-Saharan Africa during the slave trade to apply for nationality by recognition.
Switzerland
Switzerland's student residence route is for non-European applicants admitted to qualifying full-time higher education who can fund and insure their stay.
Norway
Norway's student residence route is for non-European applicants admitted to qualifying full-time higher education who can fund and insure their stay.
Iceland
Graduates of an Icelandic bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree may renew student residence for up to 18 months after graduation to seek work based on…
Iceland
Iceland's student residence permit is for non-EEA students enrolled full-time at an Icelandic school. It generally requires admission or enrollment, funds,…
Iceland
Iceland has narrow hosted residence routes for volunteers, missionaries, and au pairs. These routes require a real Icelandic host or placement and are not…
Hong Kong
Admission to an eligible full-time university program in Hong Kong can support a student visa or entry permit. Course approval, funding, and nationality…
Denmark
Denmark's student residence route is for non-European applicants admitted to qualifying full-time higher education who can fund and insure their stay.
Sweden
People who complete qualifying higher education in Sweden can apply to stay and look for work or explore a business. The application must reach the agency…
Sweden
Sweden's student residence route is for non-European applicants admitted to qualifying full-time higher education who can fund and insure their stay.
Germany
Germany's study-related internship visa is for students enrolled at a university abroad, or recent graduates within two years, who have an internship…
Germany
Germany's language acquisition visa is for people admitted to an intensive German language course. It generally requires daily instruction of at least 18…
Germany
Germany can issue a job-search residence permit after certain German stays, including successful study, research, qualified vocational training,…
Germany
Germany can issue residence for school attendance or a pupil exchange. It generally requires a qualifying German school or exchange arrangement, parental…
Germany
Germany's student visa is for people admitted to a state-recognized higher education institution in Germany, including certain preparatory measures and…
Germany
Germany's vocational training route is for people who want to complete an in-company or school-based training program in Germany, or in limited cases come…
Ireland
A qualifying non-EEA graduate of an Irish institution may move from Stamp 2 to Stamp 1G to look for graduate-level work and work full time for a limited…
Ireland
A non-EEA and non-Swiss student admitted to an eligible Irish course may obtain study permission, normally Stamp 2 for an approved full-time program.
Singapore
This route allows an admitted international student to apply for permission to study at a qualifying higher-education institution in Singapore.
Australia
Australia's Student Guardian visa lets a parent, custodian, or eligible relative come to Australia to support a student visa holder who is under 18, or…
Australia
Australia's Student visa is for people accepted into eligible study in Australia. It generally requires a Confirmation of Enrollment, enough funds,…
Australia
Australia's Temporary Graduate visa lets many recent international graduates live, study, and work in Australia after completing eligible Australian study.…
Netherlands
The Netherlands orientation year is a one-year residence permit for recent graduates, doctoral graduates, and certain researchers who want to look for work…
Netherlands
The Netherlands student residence permit is for non-Dutch students admitted to full-time higher education at a Dutch institution recognized by the IND. It…
Liechtenstein
Residence for international students admitted to qualifying higher education in Liechtenstein, with funds and health coverage for their stay.
Finland
People who completed a Finnish degree or qualifying research can seek up to two years to find work or start a business. A qualifying earlier Finnish…
Finland
Finland's student residence route is for non-European applicants admitted to qualifying full-time higher education who can fund and insure their stay.
Belgium
Belgium offers a one-year search period after some Belgian higher studies, Belgian mobility studies, or research stays. It lets eligible third-country…
Belgium
Belgium's student residence route is for non-EU students accepted into qualifying higher education or study in Belgium. It generally requires admission or…
Bermuda
Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Bermuda can support an application for student residence.
Gibraltar
Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Gibraltar can support an application for student residence.
United Kingdom
The UK Child Student visa is for children aged 4 to 17 who have an unconditional offer from an independent school that is a licensed Child Student sponsor,…
United Kingdom
The UK Graduate visa is for people who are in the UK on a Student or Tier 4 visa and have successfully completed an eligible UK course. It gives post-study…
United Kingdom
The UK Student visa is for people aged 16 or older who have an offer from a licensed UK student sponsor. It generally requires a Confirmation of Acceptance…
New Zealand
A Fee Paying Student Visa lets international students attend an approved New Zealand course. You need admission, tuition and living-cost funds, insurance…
New Zealand
New Zealand's Post Study Work Visa is for people who recently completed an eligible New Zealand qualification and want temporary work rights that can…
Niue
Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Niue can support an application for student residence.
United Arab Emirates
The UAE offers 10-year Golden Residence to qualifying top secondary-school students and outstanding university graduates who meet the academic,…
United Arab Emirates
A student admitted to a licensed UAE university, college, institute, or research institution may obtain residence sponsored by the institution or, in…
Canada
Canada's study permit is for international students accepted to a designated Canadian learning institution. It can allow temporary residence while studying…
Canada
This residence pathway is for students or graduates who want to turn study in Canada into a longer-term stay. It generally requires an eligible study…
South Korea
South Korea’s D2 student route covers eligible degree study. It is different from D4 language training and from permission to work after graduation.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg gives some recent graduates and researchers time to stay after studies or research to look for work or start a business. It generally requires a…
Luxembourg
Luxembourg student residence is for non-EU students accepted into qualifying higher education or study in Luxembourg. It generally requires admission or…
United States
The F-1 and M-1 student visa routes are for people accepted by approved U.S. schools. They are temporary study routes, but F-1 study can sometimes lead to…
United States
The J-1 route is for people accepted into approved U.S. exchange visitor programs, including interns, trainees, scholars, teachers, au pairs, and other…
Austria
Residence for international students admitted to qualifying higher education in Austria, with funds and health coverage for their stay.
Slovenia
Residence for international students admitted to qualifying higher education in Slovenia, with funds and health coverage for their stay.
Japan
A place at a qualifying Japanese university can support Student status. The school normally helps prepare the immigration evidence before the student…
Israel
Admission to a qualifying institution in Israel can support student permission. The school must confirm the immigration process for your course and…
Malta
Residence for international students admitted to qualifying higher education in Malta, with funds and health coverage for their stay.
Spain
Spain's student stay authorization is for people admitted to recognized higher education or post-compulsory secondary education lasting more than 90 days.…
France
France has a one-year job-search or business-creation status for some recent graduates of French institutions and some former Talent researcher card…
France
France's student visa and student residence route is for people accepted into qualifying study or training in France. It generally requires admission or…
Cyprus
Residence for international students admitted to qualifying higher education in Cyprus, with funds and health coverage for their stay.
Italy
Italy's study visa is for people accepted into a qualifying Italian study, university, language, professional-training, or internship program. It generally…
Taiwan
A qualifying full-time degree place in Taiwan can support a student resident visa and an Alien Resident Certificate, known as an ARC.
Estonia
Residence for international students admitted to qualifying higher education in Estonia, with funds and health coverage for their stay.
Czechia (Czech Republic)
Czech student residence is for non-EU citizens admitted to qualifying studies in Czechia for more than 90 days. It generally requires admission to a…
Greece
Residence for international students admitted to qualifying higher education in Greece, with funds and health coverage for their stay.
San Marino
Residence for international students admitted to qualifying higher education in San Marino, with funds and health coverage for their stay.
Poland
A third-country national who has just graduated from a Polish university can apply once for 9 months of temporary residence to seek employment or prepare a…
Poland
Poland has a one-time, 9-month temporary residence permit for some researchers who have just completed scientific research or development work in Poland.…
Poland
Poland's student residence route is for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens accepted to or enrolled in qualifying full-time university study, doctoral school, or a…
Lithuania
Non-EU/EEA/Swiss applicants admitted to recognized Lithuanian higher education can seek student residence. Admission, financial support, accommodation, and…
Croatia
Residence for international students admitted to qualifying higher education in Croatia, with funds and health coverage for their stay.
Saudi Arabia
Admission to a qualifying institution in Saudi Arabia can support student permission. The school must confirm the immigration process for your course and…
Portugal
Portugal has special residence routes for people who held Portuguese student or research residence and have completed studies or research, then want to…
Portugal
The Portugal D4 Student Visa is for people accepted to a qualifying school, university, exchange, or other study program in Portugal. It generally requires…
Portugal
Portugal can issue residence visas for certain internships, professional training, and volunteer work. The route generally requires a certified host…
Latvia
Residence for international students admitted to qualifying higher education in Latvia, with funds and health coverage for their stay.
Chile
Temporary residence for students enrolled at a state-recognized educational institution in Chile.
Slovakia
Residence for international students admitted to qualifying higher education in Slovakia, with funds and health coverage for their stay.
Türkiye (Turkey)
Residence for international students admitted to qualifying higher education in Türkiye, with funds and health coverage for their stay.
Hungary
Residence for international students admitted to qualifying higher education in Hungary, with funds and health coverage for their stay.
Argentina
A stay of up to one year for qualifying short courses, student or cultural exchanges, volunteering, internships, or research scholarships. Spanish and…
Argentina
Temporary residence for students taking a complete, recognized secondary-school, college, university, or postgraduate program in Argentina. Admission and…
Kuwait
Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Kuwait can support an application for student residence.
Montenegro
Residence for international students admitted to qualifying higher education in Montenegro, with funds and health coverage for their stay.
Uruguay
A foreign student admitted to an officially recognized educational institution in Uruguay can apply for temporary residence. The student status is granted…
Romania
Residence for international students admitted to qualifying higher education in Romania, with funds and health coverage for their stay.
Brunei
This route allows an admitted international student to apply for permission to study at a qualifying higher-education institution in Brunei.
Panama
People with more than six consecutive years of study in Panama can seek a residence route introduced in 2026. It starts with a two-year provisional period…
Panama
Full-time students at recognized Panamanian institutions can seek temporary residence with admission, enrollment, and financial-support evidence. Ordinary…
Georgia
Residence for international students admitted to qualifying higher education in Georgia, with funds and health coverage for their stay.
Oman
Admission to a qualifying institution in Oman can support student permission. The school must confirm the immigration process for your course and…
Trinidad and Tobago
Foreign students generally need a permit for the full period of study in Trinidad and Tobago. Recognized admission and support evidence are required;…
Malaysia
This route allows an admitted international student to apply for permission to study at a qualifying higher-education institution in Malaysia.
Costa Rica
Study at a recognized Costa Rican institution with renewable student permission. You need school certification and financial support; this special category…
Serbia
Residence for international students admitted to qualifying higher education in Serbia, with funds and health coverage for their stay.
Thailand
This route allows an admitted international student to apply for permission to study at a qualifying higher-education institution in Thailand.
Kazakhstan
This route allows an admitted international student to apply for permission to study at a qualifying higher-education institution in Kazakhstan.
Bulgaria
Residence for international students admitted to qualifying higher education in Bulgaria, with funds and health coverage for their stay.
Barbados
Non-immigrant students accepted by a school registered or chartered by Barbados’s Ministry of Education can seek a student visa. They must document…
Seychelles
Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Seychelles can support an application for student residence.
Albania
Students accepted by a recognized Albanian higher-education institution may apply for residence for their studies. Admission, funding, language…
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Foreign students enrolled in qualifying higher education can seek temporary residence in Bosnia and Herzegovina for their studies.
China
China’s X1 student visa is for study lasting more than 180 days. A qualifying university admission leads to an entry application and then student…
Armenia
Residence for international students admitted to qualifying higher education in Armenia, with funds and health coverage for their stay.
Mexico
Mexico's student residence route is for people accepted into a Mexican school or university for study lasting more than 180 days. It generally requires an…
Sri Lanka
This route allows an admitted international student to apply for permission to study at a qualifying higher-education institution in Sri Lanka.
Dominican Republic
Foreign students can obtain the Dominican Republic’s E-1 permit for study at an accepted institution. This is a nonresident permission, so it should not…
Ecuador
A foreign student admitted to an Ecuadorian educational institution can apply for temporary student residence for the approved course or program.
Moldova
Residence for international students admitted to qualifying higher education in Moldova, with funds and health coverage for their stay.
North Macedonia
Residence for international students admitted to qualifying higher education in North Macedonia, with funds and health coverage for their stay.
Peru
Residence for qualifying studies or training in Peru lasting at least one year.
Azerbaijan
Residence for international students admitted to qualifying higher education in Azerbaijan, with funds and health coverage for their stay.
Brazil
Residence for students enrolled in a qualifying course in Brazil, with evidence of financial support.
Kosovo
Residence for international students admitted to qualifying higher education in Kosovo, with funds and health coverage for their stay.
Colombia
A visitor visa for qualifying studies, academic exchanges, or student placements in Colombia.
Algeria
This route allows an admitted international student to apply for permission to study at a qualifying higher-education institution in Algeria.
Mongolia
An eligible university place in Mongolia can support E2 student residence. The institution helps document the course, admission, and intended stay.
Jamaica
Foreign students enrolled at a Ministry of Education-registered institution can seek a student endorsement from PICA. Students must attend PICA within two…
Jordan
Admission to a qualifying institution in Jordan can support student permission. The school must confirm the immigration process for your course and…
Turkmenistan
This route allows an admitted international student to apply for permission to study at a qualifying higher-education institution in Turkmenistan.
Guyana
Permission for students accepted by an educational institution in Guyana.
Ukraine
Foreign students enrolled at a qualifying Ukrainian educational institution can seek residence for the documented period of their studies.
Tunisia
This route allows an admitted international student to apply for permission to study at a qualifying higher-education institution in Tunisia.
Egypt
Admission to a qualifying institution in Egypt can support student permission. The school must confirm the immigration process for your course and…
Fiji
A foreign student accepted for secondary, tertiary, university, or vocational study in Fiji may apply for a student permit. Primary school, Years 1–8, is…
Uzbekistan
This route allows an admitted international student to apply for permission to study at a qualifying higher-education institution in Uzbekistan.
Vietnam
A foreign student accepted by a Vietnamese educational institution can obtain a DH study visa and, when the current law and sponsorship requirements are…
Lebanon
Admission to a qualifying institution in Lebanon can support student permission. The school must confirm the immigration process for your course and…
South Africa
Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in South Africa can support an application for student residence.
Indonesia
This route allows an admitted international student to apply for permission to study at a qualifying higher-education institution in Indonesia.
Philippines
This route allows an admitted international student to apply for permission to study at a qualifying higher-education institution in the Philippines.
Botswana
Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Botswana can support an application for student residence.
Belize
Belize requires foreign students to obtain permission before starting the school year or semester. School confirmation, financial support, and the required…
Samoa
This route allows an admitted international student to apply for permission to study at a qualifying higher-education institution in Samoa.
Bolivia
Temporary residence for foreign students attending an educational institution in Bolivia.
Morocco
This route allows an admitted international student to apply for permission to study at a qualifying higher-education institution in Morocco.
Venezuela
A visa for technical or university studies, specialization, or a qualifying internship in Venezuela.
Kyrgyzstan
This route allows an admitted international student to apply for permission to study at a qualifying higher-education institution in Kyrgyzstan.
Namibia
Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Namibia can support an application for student residence.
Bhutan
This route allows an admitted international student to apply for permission to study at a qualifying higher-education institution in Bhutan.
El Salvador
Students in technical, university, or specialized programs can apply for temporary residence in El Salvador. The category also covers qualifying unpaid…
Tajikistan
This route allows an admitted international student to apply for permission to study at a qualifying higher-education institution in Tajikistan.
Bangladesh
This route allows an admitted international student to apply for permission to study at a qualifying higher-education institution in Bangladesh.
Nicaragua
Temporary residence for foreign students with a confirmed place at an educational institution in Nicaragua.
Cabo Verde
Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Cabo Verde can support an application for student residence.
India
This route allows an admitted international student to apply for permission to study at a qualifying higher-education institution in India.
Guatemala
Temporary residence for study at an officially recognized Guatemalan school or university. The institution must confirm admission or enrollment and the…
Honduras
A special stay permit supports study or a qualifying professional placement in Honduras. You need institutional admission and means of support; the student…
Sao Tome and Principe
Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in São Tomé and Príncipe can support an application for student residence.
Eswatini
Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Eswatini can support an application for student residence.
Vanuatu
This route allows an admitted international student to apply for permission to study at a qualifying higher-education institution in Vanuatu.
Ghana
Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Ghana can support an application for student residence.
Kenya
Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Kenya can support an application for student residence.
Nepal
This route allows an admitted international student to apply for permission to study at a qualifying higher-education institution in Nepal.
Angola
Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Angola can support an application for student residence.
Tuvalu
Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Tuvalu can support an application for student residence.
Congo (Republic)
Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in the Republic of the Congo can support an application for student residence.
Zambia
Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Zambia can support an application for student residence.
Cameroon
Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Cameroon can support an application for student residence.
Papua New Guinea
This route allows an admitted international student to apply for permission to study at a qualifying higher-education institution in Papua New Guinea.
Solomon Islands
This route allows an admitted international student to apply for permission to study at a qualifying higher-education institution in Solomon Islands.
Timor-Leste
This route allows an admitted international student to apply for permission to study at a qualifying higher-education institution in Timor-Leste.
Uganda
Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Uganda can support an application for student residence.
Kiribati
Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Kiribati can support an application for student residence.
Nigeria
Students admitted to an accredited Nigerian institution can apply for residence for their studies. The school must accept immigration responsibility, and…
Rwanda
Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Rwanda can support an application for student residence.
Zimbabwe
Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Zimbabwe can support an application for student residence.
Pakistan
This route allows an admitted international student to apply for permission to study at a qualifying higher-education institution in Pakistan.
Ivory Coast
Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Côte d’Ivoire can support an application for student residence.
Tanzania
Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Tanzania can support an application for student residence.
Togo
Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Togo can support an application for student residence.
Lesotho
Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Lesotho can support an application for student residence.
Senegal
Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Senegal can support an application for student residence.
Malawi
Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Malawi can support an application for student residence.
Gambia
Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in The Gambia can support an application for student residence.
Ethiopia
Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Ethiopia can support an application for student residence.
Congo (Democratic Republic)
Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in DR Congo can support an application for student residence.
Chad
Admission to a qualifying higher-education course in Chad can support an application for student residence.
Faroe Islands
Students admitted to an approved full-time higher-education program can apply for Faroese residence with evidence of support and language ability.
Macao
A nonlocal student at an approved Macao higher-education institution can apply for Special Authorization to Stay. This supports study without conferring…
Norway
Adult holders of qualifying Norwegian permits can seek permanent residence after the applicable continuous-residence period. Current permit conditions,…
Iceland
Iceland's national permanent residence permit is for people who have built qualifying residence under national permits. It is separate from the five-year…
Hong Kong
A non-Chinese national ordinarily living in Hong Kong for seven continuous years may establish permanent-resident status. The qualifying period and Hong…
Germany
Germany can grant permanent EU residence to eligible third-country nationals after 5 years of lawful residence. It resembles a settlement permit but can…
Germany
Germany's settlement permit gives qualifying third-country nationals permanent residence and unrestricted work rights. The required period depends on the…
Singapore
A current Singapore Employment Pass or S Pass holder can apply for permanent residence, subject to a discretionary assessment by Singapore’s Immigration…
Netherlands
Permanent residence in the Netherlands is generally available after 5 consecutive years of lawful Dutch residence, provided the applicant meets…
Belgium
Non-EU residents can seek Belgium’s EU long-term resident status after five qualifying years. The application also requires an eligible current status,…
Aruba
A person currently living in Aruba with at least 120 months of qualifying legal residence may apply for a permit without a fixed end date.
British Virgin Islands
A person currently living in the British Virgin Islands may apply for Residence Status after ten years of qualifying residence, subject to absence,…
Pitcairn Islands
People who have lawfully lived on Pitcairn for more than two years can seek permanent residence, subject to absence and public-interest requirements.
Turks and Caicos Islands
People currently living in Turks and Caicos with ten continuous years of qualifying legal residence may apply for a Permanent Residence Certificate. The…
United Kingdom
A person who has lived lawfully and continuously in the United Kingdom for 10 years may qualify for indefinite leave to remain under the long-residence…
Luxembourg
EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens normally gain a permanent right to live in Luxembourg after 5 years of lawful, uninterrupted residence. Certain workers and…
Chile
Permanent residence for holders of a qualifying Chilean temporary permission who meet the residence and other requirements.
Türkiye (Turkey)
Long-term status for people with an established, qualifying residence history in Türkiye and the required financial and personal evidence.
Trinidad and Tobago
A permitted entrant who has become, or is likely to become, successfully established in a profession, trade, self-operated business, or agricultural…
Trinidad and Tobago
A resident-status application for people already living in Trinidad and Tobago. Official instructions disagree on the required residence period, so confirm…
Costa Rica
Temporary residents can apply for permanent residence after three consecutive qualifying years. Approval gives broader work rights, but the change requires…
Saint Kitts and Nevis
People who have lived in Saint Kitts and Nevis for at least seven years and own substantial assets in the Federation can apply for permanent residence. The…
Serbia
Long-term status for people with an established, qualifying residence history in Serbia and the required financial and personal evidence.
Albania
Long-term residents may apply for Albanian permanent residence after at least five qualifying years of legal, continuous residence. Absence limits, the…
Mexico
Mexico usually lets Temporary Residents switch to Permanent Residence after reaching the maximum temporary-residence period. It generally requires current…
Montserrat
Established residents may apply after the residence period that applies to their arrival history, with recent employment, local savings or property, and…
Dominican Republic
Ordinary temporary residents can apply to change to RP-1 permanent residence after the qualifying renewal history. The detailed DGM checklist requires the…
Peru
Permanent residence after three consecutive years in eligible worker, investor, researcher, or religious residence categories.
Colombia
A Resident visa for people who have completed the required continuous period in qualifying Colombian visa categories.
Jamaica
A foreign national who has worked in Jamaica for more than three years may apply to PICA for permanent residence on the employment ground.
Jamaica
A former holder of Unconditional Landing—a stamp in a foreign passport allowing the holder to live and work in Jamaica without a separate work…
Paraguay
Permanent residence for holders completing Paraguay’s ordinary temporary-residence period and meeting the continuing requirements.
Belize
Belize's ordinary permanent-residence route requires at least one year of legal residence immediately before applying, no more than 14 days outside Belize…
Bolivia
Permanent residence for people with the required qualifying residence history in Bolivia.
El Salvador
Qualifying temporary residents can apply for definitive residence after holding the status for the three years before the application. The applicant must…
El Salvador
El Salvador offers shorter definitive-residence routes based on regional origin. Central Americans by birth can apply after lawful entry, while qualifying…
Guatemala
People who have held Guatemalan temporary residence for at least five years can apply for permanent residence. Immigration records must establish the…
Guatemala
People born in another Central American country can apply for Guatemalan permanent residence after at least one year as temporary residents. The rule…
Honduras
Honduras has a long-term resident category for people who have spent at least five consecutive years there with continuously valid residence or special…
Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (Caribbean Netherlands)
Residents of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, or Saba who have held qualifying fixed-term permits for five continuous years immediately before applying may seek…
Sint Maarten (Dutch part)
People already living legally in Sint Maarten for five uninterrupted years may apply for permanent residence if they hold a valid permit and can provide…
Switzerland
This citizenship pathway is for long-term residents of Switzerland. It generally requires enough lawful residence, good character, and any language,…
Norway
Adults living in Norway on residence permits can apply for citizenship after sufficient qualifying residence. Identity, continued residence,…
Iceland
Icelandic naturalization is usually for people already legally settled in Iceland. The standard residence period is seven years, with shorter periods for…
Sweden
Swedish citizenship by application is for adults who live in Sweden and have accumulated the required habitual residence. Applicants generally need a…
Germany
German citizenship by naturalization is for people who have lived legally in Germany for more than five years and meet the residence-status, self-support,…
Ireland
Irish citizenship through qualifying residence, good character, and an intention to keep living in the required territory. The usual period is five years;…
Singapore
Singapore accepts citizenship applications from several defined groups, including adult permanent residents, qualifying spouses and children of citizens,…
Australia
This citizenship pathway is for long-term residents of Australia. It generally requires enough lawful residence, good character, and any language,…
Netherlands
The Netherlands offers ordinary naturalization after a qualifying period of lawful Dutch residence, usually 5 years, along with civic integration,…
Finland
Finnish citizenship by application is for adults who live in Finland and have built enough legal residence there. Applicants generally need reliable…
Belgium
Adults with ten years of legal residence can seek Belgian citizenship by declaration. They need unlimited stay at filing, knowledge of a national language,…
Belgium
Adults with five years of legal residence can seek Belgian citizenship by declaration. They need unlimited stay at filing, knowledge of a national…
Belgium
Belgium can grant citizenship to people with exceptional scientific, sporting, or sociocultural merit. Applicants need unlimited lawful residence and must…
Belgium
Belgium has a nationality declaration route for certain parents of Belgian children under 18. It generally requires five years of legal residence in…
Belgium
Belgium has a nationality declaration route for some residents who have legally lived in Belgium for five years and can show they are unable to work…
United Kingdom
This citizenship pathway is for long-term residents of the United Kingdom. It generally requires enough lawful residence, good character, and any language,…
New Zealand
New Zealand citizenship usually requires five years of qualifying residence, including at least 1,350 days in the country and 240 days in each year. You…
United Arab Emirates
Specified investors and people with exceptional expertise or talent may receive UAE citizenship through official nomination and approval. Residence,…
Canada
This citizenship pathway is for long-term residents of Canada. It generally requires enough lawful residence, good character, and any language,…
South Korea
South Korean naturalization is an application-based route with distinct general, facilitated, marriage, and special categories. General naturalization…
Luxembourg
Luxembourg naturalization is for adults who have already built lawful residence in Luxembourg. It generally requires five years of legal residence,…
United States
U.S. naturalization is the ordinary citizenship route for lawful permanent residents who have enough residence, physical presence, good moral character,…
United States
Some current and former members of the U.S. armed forces can qualify for special naturalization rules based on military service.
Austria
Austrian citizenship by award is for people who have built a long-term legal life in Austria and can meet its residence, resources, German-language,…
Japan
Japanese naturalization is for people domiciled in Japan who meet the Nationality Act's residence, age and capacity, conduct, livelihood, nationality, and…
Israel
Section 5 naturalization is a discretionary citizenship route for a person who already holds valid Israeli permanent residence, is living in Israel, and…
Spain
Spain's ordinary naturalization route is the default citizenship route for long-term legal residents who do not fit a reduced Article 22 period. The…
Spain
Spain's Article 22 route reduces the usual ten-year residence period to five, two, or one year for defined refugee, nationality-of-origin, Sephardic,…
France
French naturalization is for people who have made France their main home and can show enough residence, integration, B2 French, a passing nationality civic…
Italy
Italian naturalization is for people who have built a qualifying period of legal residence in Italy or fit a special residence category. It generally…
Czechia (Czech Republic)
Czech naturalization is for people who have built a long-term legal life in Czechia. It generally requires permanent residence, enough actual presence,…
Andorra
Andorran naturalization is mainly for people whose principal home has been in Andorra for many years. The ordinary route combines 20 years of principal and…
Poland
Polish citizenship can be granted by the President of Poland, but this is a highly discretionary route rather than a normal eligibility checklist. Citizeo…
Poland
Polish citizenship by recognition is for people who already have a qualifying Polish residence basis and can meet one exact statutory category. It commonly…
Portugal
Portugal's ordinary naturalization route is for long-term legal residents. Under the current 2026 law, most applicants need 10 years of legal residence; EU…
Portugal
Portugal lists special nationality categories for some people born in former Portuguese colonies, or descendants of such people, who have remained in…
Portugal
Portugal has a narrow discretionary nationality route for people who have rendered relevant services to the Portuguese State. It is an exceptional route,…
Portugal
Portugal has a specific naturalization rule for stateless people who have legally lived in Portugal for at least four years and meet the language, civic,…
Chile
Chile offers ordinary naturalization after five years to qualifying permanent residents, a two-year route for permanent residents with specified Chilean…
Türkiye (Turkey)
Türkiye's ordinary naturalization route is for adult long-term residents who have five years of qualifying, uninterrupted residence and can show…
Hungary
Hungary's simplified naturalization route is for a non-citizen who can prove a Hungarian-citizen ancestor or likely Hungarian origin and can handle the…
Argentina
Standard Argentine naturalization is for adults who complete two years of continuous, legal residence in Argentina immediately before applying. Under the…
Uruguay
Adult permanent residents who genuinely live in Uruguay may apply for legal citizenship after three years if qualifying close family live there in their…
Romania
This route is for adults who already hold Romanian long-term or permanent residence and meet the usual 8-year rule, the 5-year spouse rule, or a limited…
Bahamas
Bahamian naturalization is a discretionary route for long-term lawful residents who meet the permanent-residence, actual-residence, character, language,…
Panama
Panama normally allows a citizenship application after five consecutive years of residence, or three years for qualifying spouses and parents of Panamanian…
Georgia
Georgian citizenship by naturalization is mainly for adults with 10 consecutive years of lawful residence, or 5 years for a spouse of a Georgian citizen or…
Trinidad and Tobago
T&T naturalization is for alien adults who meet the Act's character, English, residence or government-service, legal-entry, and oath requirements.
Malaysia
Malaysia's Article 19 naturalization route is for permanent residents age 21 or older who meet the residence, good-character, Malay-language,…
Costa Rica
Costa Rica has separate naturalization routes for ordinary residents, qualifying spouses, and people who missed a birth-citizenship option before age 25.…
Saint Kitts and Nevis
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says citizenship by residence requires 14 years of legal residence in Saint Kitts and Nevis. The legal mechanism differs…
Thailand
Ordinary Thai naturalization is a discretionary citizenship route for adults who have established a long-term legal home in Thailand. The standard route…
Barbados
Adults who have made Barbados their long-term lawful home may be able to apply for citizenship by naturalization. Usually, you must have lived legally in…
Grenada
Grenada has separate citizenship procedures for long-term residents, Commonwealth or Irish citizens, and qualifying spouses. The ordinary residence test is…
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda uses different citizenship procedures for a non-Commonwealth applicant seeking naturalization, a Commonwealth citizen seeking…
Albania
Adults may apply for Albanian citizenship after at least seven years of legal, continuous residence and while holding a valid permanent-residence permit.…
Armenia
Armenian citizenship by ordinary naturalization is for adults who have already built lawful residence in Armenia. It generally requires at least three…
Mexico
Mexico's ordinary naturalization route is for adult Temporary or Permanent Residents who have completed the required residence period, can demonstrate…
Dominican Republic
This pathway is the ordinary naturalization process for an adult who lives in the Dominican Republic and can document more than two years of permanent…
Saint Lucia
This discretionary citizenship pathway is for full-age, capable long-term residents of Saint Lucia who can meet the Act's residence pattern, character,…
Ecuador
Ecuador has distinct naturalization routes for ordinary permanent residents, qualifying spouses or registered partners of Ecuadorians, and some recognized…
North Macedonia
This citizenship pathway is for long-term residents of North Macedonia. It generally requires enough lawful residence, good character, and any language,…
Peru
Peru's currently available naturalization route is for adults who have lived there legally for at least two consecutive years and can meet its conduct,…
Brazil
Brazilian ordinary naturalization generally requires residence registered for an indeterminate period, four years of qualifying residence, ability to…
Colombia
This route is for an adult who holds a current Colombian Resident visa and has completed the required period of continuous domicile. Most applicants need…
Jamaica
Adult Commonwealth and Irish citizens can seek Jamaican citizenship by registration after the ordinary five-year residence period. The applicant must…
Jamaica
Adults outside the Commonwealth and Irish registration route can seek Jamaican citizenship through qualifying residence. The ordinary test combines the…
Dominica
Dominica offers ordinary naturalization after seven years of residence or qualifying government service, including residence throughout the final year.…
Paraguay
An adult permanent resident can ask Paraguay's Supreme Court for naturalization after at least three years of permanent admission, continuous real…
Vietnam
Vietnam has a standard naturalization route for people who currently hold permanent residence and have at least five years counted from issuance of a…
South Africa
South African naturalization is the citizenship route for permanent residents who meet the Act's residence, character, language, civic-knowledge, and…
Philippines
The usual court route to Philippine citizenship requires ten years of continuous residence, reduced to five for specific groups. A separate administrative…
Belize
Belize's citizenship-by-registration route covers a permanent resident who has held that status for at least five years with the required continuous…
El Salvador
Naturalization is generally for a definitive resident who meets the applicable one-year, two-year, or five-year residence rule, or a recognized refugee or…
Guatemala
Adults with the required Guatemalan domicile history can seek citizenship by naturalization. The ordinary route requires five years of qualifying domicile,…
Honduras
Honduras allows naturalization through qualifying legal residence or marriage to a Honduran citizen by birth. The residence period varies by nationality of…
Vanuatu
Vanuatu's ordinary naturalization route is for a person who has been ordinarily, lawfully, and continuously resident in Vanuatu for the 10 years…
Nigeria
Nigerian naturalization is for long-term residents who meet Section 27 of the Constitution. The residence requirement is normally 15 years, either…
Switzerland
Swiss residence for EU and EFTA citizens taking employment, running a genuine business, studying, or living on sufficient resources with health coverage.
Norway
Residence in Norway for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who will work, study, or support themselves under the applicable European mobility rules.
Iceland
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…
Iceland
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,…
Iceland
Iceland has two narrow fallback residence routes: one for exceptional personal ties to Iceland, and one for a temporary legitimate special purpose. These…
Iceland
Iceland has a Working Holiday / Youth Mobility residence permit for young citizens of partner countries. It is a temporary cultural-exchange route with…
Denmark
Residence in Denmark for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who will work, study, or support themselves under the applicable European mobility rules.
Sweden
Residence in Sweden for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who will work, study, or support themselves under the applicable European mobility rules.
Germany
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…
Germany
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…
Germany
EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can live and work in Germany under free-movement rules. Address registration and longer-stay conditions still apply; Swiss…
Germany
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…
Germany
Germany's voluntary-service residence route is for people participating in a statutory national or European voluntary service, such as FSJ, FÖJ, BFD, or…
Germany
Germany's working-holiday and youth-mobility residence route is for young adults from countries with bilateral agreements with Germany. It generally covers…
Ireland
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…
Ireland
British citizens can generally live, work and study in Ireland without an Irish visa, employment permit or immigration registration. These Common Travel…
Ireland
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,…
Singapore
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…
Australia
Australia's Resident Return visa lets current or former Australian permanent residents, and some former Australian citizens, regain or renew the travel…
Australia
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…
Australia
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…
Australia
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…
Netherlands
The Netherlands has an au pair residence route for young adults joining a host family through a recognized au pair agency for cultural exchange.
Netherlands
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…
Netherlands
The Netherlands offers a one-year working holiday or working holiday scheme for young citizens of specific partner countries who want a cultural exchange…
Finland
Residence in Finland for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who will work, study, or support themselves under the applicable European mobility rules.
Belgium
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…
Belgium
Belgium has a volunteer authorization for third-country nationals participating in a voluntary service scheme recognized by the European Union. The…
Belgium
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…
Belgium
Belgium's Working Holiday Program is a temporary route for young citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Taiwan, and South Korea who want a…
United Kingdom
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…
United Kingdom
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…
United Kingdom
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…
United Kingdom
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…
United Kingdom
The EU Settlement Scheme protects UK residence rights for eligible EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens and qualifying family members connected to pre-2021 UK…
United Kingdom
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…
New Zealand
Australian citizens and permanent residents can generally live, work, and study in New Zealand, subject to entry and character checks. Permanent residents…
New Zealand
A person whose partnership with a New Zealand citizen or resident has ended may qualify for residence after experiencing family violence. They must also…
New Zealand
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…
New Zealand
An eligible refugee-background New Zealand citizen or resident can register to sponsor certain relatives for residence. The category has 600 places a year…
New Zealand
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,…
New Zealand
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…
Canada
Canada's Francophone Community Immigration Pilot is a permanent-residence route for French-speaking skilled workers with a job offer from a designated…
Canada
Canada has a temporary public-policy permanent-residence pathway for certain foreign nationals in Canada who came as children, were under state care, and…
Canada
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…
Canada
Temporary Canadian work permits for eligible people aged 18 to 35 with support from an approved International Experience Canada organization. This option…
South Korea
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…
Luxembourg
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…
Luxembourg
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,…
Luxembourg
EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can usually live in Luxembourg through free-movement rights rather than a Luxembourg national visa. For stays over three…
Luxembourg
Luxembourg has narrow residence routes for some trainees, volunteers, pupils, and au pairs. These routes generally require a real host, program, agreement,…
United States
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…
United States
Selection in the Diversity Visa program can lead to U.S. permanent residence, but the State Department currently pauses consular DV issuance. Selection, an…
United States
VAWA self-petitioning can help certain abused spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents seek immigration protection…
United States
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…
United States
U.S. refugee resettlement is for qualifying people outside the United States. Ordinary processing and admissions are suspended, with only narrow…
United States
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…
United States
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…
United States
Temporary Protected Status can protect eligible nationals of designated countries, and some stateless people who last lived there, who are already in the…
United States
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…
Austria
Residence in Austria for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who will work, study, or support themselves under the applicable European mobility rules.
Slovenia
Residence in Slovenia for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who will work, study, or support themselves under the applicable European mobility rules.
Japan
Japan’s working-holiday arrangements let eligible young people from partner countries or territories combine a holiday with incidental work. A US…
Malta
Residence in Malta for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who will work, study, or support themselves under the applicable European mobility rules.
Spain
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…
Spain
Spain's current arraigo routes are exceptional-circumstances residence authorizations for certain non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals already in Spain who fit a…
France
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…
France
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…
France
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…
France
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…
Cyprus
Residence in Cyprus for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who will work, study, or support themselves under the applicable European mobility rules.
Italy
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…
Italy
Italy has temporary working-holiday or youth-mobility visas for eligible citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea. The stay is…
Estonia
Estonia e-Residency is a government-issued digital identity for global entrepreneurs who want remote access to Estonian digital business services. It can…
Estonia
Residence in Estonia for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who will work, study, or support themselves under the applicable European mobility rules.
Czechia (Czech Republic)
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…
Greece
Residence in Greece for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who will work, study, or support themselves under the applicable European mobility rules.
Poland
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…
Poland
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…
Poland
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…
Lithuania
Residence in Lithuania for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who will work, study, or support themselves under the applicable European mobility rules.
Croatia
Residence in Croatia for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who will work, study, or support themselves under the applicable European mobility rules.
Portugal
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,…
Portugal
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…
Portugal
Portugal's CPLP residence route is for citizens of participating Portuguese-speaking countries who hold a residence visa and meet the standard residence…
Portugal
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…
Latvia
Residence in Latvia for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who will work, study, or support themselves under the applicable European mobility rules.
Chile
Citizens of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay may use Chile's MERCOSUR reciprocity temporary-residence category. It is based on…
Slovakia
Residence in Slovakia for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who will work, study, or support themselves under the applicable European mobility rules.
Hungary
Residence in Hungary for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who will work, study, or support themselves under the applicable European mobility rules.
Argentina
Temporary residence for medical treatment whose complexity or risk requires a stay in Argentina. Certain close relatives or legal caregivers may accompany…
Argentina
Permanent residence is available through qualifying temporary-residence history, Brazilian nationality, or being born abroad to an Argentine parent. The…
Argentina
Argentina's MERCOSUR route gives two-year temporary residence to qualifying nationals of listed South American countries, subject to identity,…
Argentina
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…
Uruguay
A foreign national outside Uruguay's special Mercosur-nationality route can apply for permanent residence by showing a genuine intention to settle and a…
Uruguay
Nationals of eleven listed Mercosur member and associated countries can apply directly for permanent residence in Uruguay based on nationality.
Uruguay
Nationals of eleven listed Mercosur member and associated countries who specifically want a limited stay can apply for two-year temporary residence in…
Romania
Residence in Romania for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who will work, study, or support themselves under the applicable European mobility rules.
Trinidad and Tobago
Citizens of participating CSME states in approved occupational categories may live and work in Trinidad and Tobago without an ordinary work permit after…
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Covered CARICOM citizens with a Skills Certificate accepted by Saint Kitts and Nevis can seek or take employment without an ordinary work permit. The…
Saint Kitts and Nevis
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…
Thailand
Thailand Privilege is a fee-paid membership and long-stay visa program for foreign passport holders who pass the program's immigration and background…
Bulgaria
Residence in Bulgaria for eligible EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who will work, study, or support themselves under the applicable European mobility rules.
Barbados
Citizens of participating CSME states in approved occupational categories may live and work in Barbados without an ordinary work permit after obtaining…
Barbados
Citizens of Belize, Dominica, or Saint Vincent and the Grenadines can live and work in Barbados indefinitely under CARICOM full free movement. Entry checks…
Grenada
Citizens of participating CSME states in approved occupational categories may live and work in Grenada without an ordinary work permit after obtaining and…
Grenada
Citizens of the other independent OECS Economic Union countries can live and work in Grenada indefinitely without a work permit or Skills Certificate. They…
Antigua and Barbuda
Citizens of the other independent OECS Economic Union countries can live and work in Antigua and Barbuda indefinitely without a work permit or Skills…
Mexico
Mexico can issue Temporary Residence for some people invited by a Mexican public or private institution for a non-remunerated activity lasting more than…
Palau
U.S. citizens can use the Compact of Free Association as a basis to seek admission, reside, and take lawful employment in Palau.
Montserrat
Qualifying citizens of the independent OECS Economic Union countries can seek indefinite permission to remain in Montserrat and work without an ordinary…
Dominican Republic
Ordinary temporary residence, currently labeled RT-9, is an annual status for foreign nationals settling in the Dominican Republic. It requires a residence…
Saint Lucia
Covered CARICOM citizens with a Skills Certificate accepted by Saint Lucia can seek or take employment without an ordinary work permit. The destination…
Saint Lucia
Citizens of the other independent OECS Economic Union countries can live and work in Saint Lucia indefinitely without a work permit or Skills Certificate.…
Ecuador
Temporary residence for Bolivian, Colombian, and Peruvian citizens under the Andean migration agreement.
Ecuador
Citizens of covered South American countries can apply for two years of temporary residence in Ecuador under the MERCOSUR agreement, then seek permanent…
Peru
Peru's MERCOSUR route gives eligible South American nationals two years of temporary residence. The temporary status cannot be renewed, but a holder may…
Brazil
A two-year residence process for eligible citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries who are already in Brazil.
Brazil
Two-year residence for citizens of Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname who apply inside Brazil.
Brazil
Brazil's MERCOSUR Residence Agreement route is for citizens of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay. It grants…
Colombia
A two-year Migrant visa for citizens of Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru under the Andean migration agreement.
Colombia
This nationality-based Migrant visa is available to citizens of the Mercosur residence-agreement states for which Colombia currently applies reciprocity.…
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
People planning an extended stay in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines can apply for temporary residence. Cabinet reviews each application individually;…
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Citizens of Barbados, Belize, or Dominica can live and work in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines indefinitely under CARICOM full free movement. Entry checks…
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
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…
Jamaica
Qualifying CARICOM nationals with a Skills Certificate recognized for Jamaica can seek or take work without an ordinary work permit. Citizenship alone is…
Dominica
Citizens of Barbados, Belize, or Saint Vincent and the Grenadines can live and work in Dominica indefinitely under CARICOM full free movement. Entry checks…
Dominica
Citizens of the other independent OECS Economic Union countries can live and work in Dominica indefinitely without a work permit or Skills Certificate.…
Paraguay
Temporary residence for foreign nationals settling in Paraguay for a lawful activity.
Paraguay
Citizens of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, or Uruguay can apply in person for Paraguay's two-year, nonrenewable MERCOSUR…
Belize
Covered CARICOM citizens with a Skills Certificate accepted by Belize can seek or take employment without an ordinary work permit. The destination must…
Belize
Citizens of Barbados, Dominica, or Saint Vincent and the Grenadines can live and work in Belize indefinitely under CARICOM full free movement. Entry checks…
Micronesia
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.
Marshall Islands
U.S. citizens can use the Compact of Free Association as a basis to seek admission, reside, and take lawful employment in Marshall Islands.
Nigeria
Eligible citizens of other ECOWAS countries can use regional residence arrangements to live in Nigeria. They must complete Nigerian registration and the…
Guadeloupe
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…
Martinique
EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can establish residence in Martinique under French free-movement rules. For a stay over three months, work, study, or…
Martinique
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…
Saint Barthélemy
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…
Saint Martin (French part)
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…
Curacao
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,…
Try another country, category, or search.
Country overview
AlbaniaAlbania pairs a low cost of living and a fast-growing expat scene with residency routes for remote workers, retirees, and the self-employed. People with an Albanian parent or grandparent may also have a claim to citizenship by descent. This guide brings the country's main residency and citizenship routes together and links to a full breakdown of each.
Country overview
AlgeriaAlgeria’s covered routes include employer-supported work, higher-education study, an authorized local business, and a nonworking stay supported by independent means. The foreign-resident card requires evidence matching the intended activity. Business applicants may also need a separate professional card; entry visas and company registration alone do not settle residence or work rights.
The North Africa guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
AndorraAndorra, a small principality between France and Spain, offers residence routes for the financially independent and for active professionals and investors, with low taxes and a high quality of life. Citizenship is possible but requires long residence.
Country overview
AngolaAngola’s covered routes include work and study visas, temporary stay with a qualifying spouse, and the Investor Visa for a registered investment project. An investor, a representative of an investor, and an employee of the project can need different permissions. A visa for a temporary activity should not be treated as a permanent residence grant.
The Central Africa guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
AnguillaAnguilla is a British Overseas Territory in the eastern Caribbean with residence options based on investment and family connections. Its investment routes include a Capital Development Fund contribution, residential property, and business property, with different work rights attached to each category.
A separate Resident Stamp is available to qualifying spouses of Anguillians or Belongers. Residence in Anguilla and British citizenship are separate statuses.
Country overview
Antigua and BarbudaAntigua and Barbuda offers citizenship pathways through family connections, residence, and investment, alongside residence options for retirees, spouses of citizens, and established residents.
As a member of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), it also participates in regional residence and work arrangements for qualifying citizens of other Economic Union countries. These regional rights provide a different basis for living and working in the country from ordinary residence or investment applications.
Country overview
ArgentinaArgentina offers residence through employment, study, family, pensions, income from assets, and qualifying business investment. Regional nationality agreements provide another route for eligible South American citizens, while citizenship has separate birth, parentage, and naturalization rules. The citizenship-by-investment program announced on October 2, 2026 is covered in the investment citizenship guide; applications were not confirmed open at this review.
Country overview
ArmeniaArmenia offers residence through local employment, study, family relationships, and business activity. Armenian ancestry can support separate citizenship and residence options, with an enacted reform replacing new special-residence grants from November 2026. Temporary residence rests on the continuing activity or connection, while citizenship has its own evidence and application requirements.
Country overview
ArubaAruba, a Caribbean country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, has residence options for people with retirement income, independent financial means, and a qualifying spouse connection. Retirement and independent-means permits support residence without paid work.
Established residents may qualify for an indefinite-residence permit. Aruba has its own immigration procedures, and local residence is distinct from Dutch citizenship.
Country overview
AustraliaAustralia has extensive work, study, family, and citizenship coverage. The former Business Innovation and Investment Program is closed to new applications. Exceptional innovative investors may be considered under the National Innovation Visa, but an investment amount alone does not establish eligibility.
See the regional guide and investment and citizenship comparison for the covered options and their limits.
Country overview
AustriaAustria combines a central European setting with routes for skilled employees, independent businesses, students, and families. European citizens and qualifying relatives can use separate residence rights, while national permits have their own work and household conditions. Citizenship through family history or restitution follows different rules from citizenship after a period of residence.
Country overview
AzerbaijanAzerbaijan’s position between the Caucasus and the Caspian shapes a distinct national immigration system. Its pathways include local employment, higher education, family ties, active business, and qualifying property or financial holdings. Asset-based residence remains conditional on the qualifying holding, while company registration alone does not establish eligibility for business residence.
Country overview
BahamasThe Bahamas offers residence routes tied to property ownership or annual residency, with no income tax, making it popular with the financially independent. Citizenship is possible but takes long residence.
Country overview
BahrainA local job, an eligible resident family member, a qualifying home, or Golden Residency can provide different starting points for a move to Bahrain. Ordinary property-owner residence has its own income and document rules; its BHD 50,000 property floor must not be confused with the separate Golden Residency property threshold. Family residence and permission to work also require separate checks.
Country overview
BangladeshBangladesh’s covered options include supported employment, university study, private business investment, and the No Visa Required endorsement for eligible origin and family connections. A visa, business approval, work permit, and citizenship are separate matters.
The South Asia guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
BarbadosBarbados offers the Welcome Stamp for remote workers, alongside pathways for employment, study, retirement, business activity, and family residence. Citizenship routes include descent, marriage, and qualifying residence.
Regional options include full free movement for citizens of Belize, Dominica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as a separate CSME skilled-national route. These arrangements connect residence and work rights to qualifying Caribbean citizenship, with skills certification required under the CSME route.
Country overview
BelgiumBelgium offers EU work, self-employment, and study routes in the heart of Europe, most leading toward long-term residence and, in time, citizenship. Belgium permits dual nationality.
Country overview
BelizeBelize is an English-speaking country on Central America’s Caribbean coast with pathways for retirees, remote workers, employees, students, investors, and family members. Its options include the Qualified Retirement Program, temporary investor residence, and permanent residence for qualifying long-term residents.
Citizens of Barbados, Dominica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have a separate full free-movement route, while other qualifying regional nationals may use the skilled-national system.
Country overview
BeninBenin’s covered nationality-recognition route is for adults with accepted evidence of descent from people deported from sub-Saharan Africa during the slave trade. It has nationality, documentary, and identification requirements. Applicants abroad first receive an eligibility certificate and must complete formalities in Benin before final recognition; this is not citizenship by investment.
The West Africa guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
BermudaLocal employment, Bermuda College study, a qualifying spouse, independent support, or an approved investment can support a residence application. British citizenship alone does not establish local residence or work rights. The Work From Bermuda program is closed to new applications; ordinary nonworking permission should not be treated as a remote-work visa.
Residence permission does not itself grant citizenship.
Country overview
BhutanBhutan’s covered routes focus on approved employment and study through recognized institutions. Employers and educational institutions have a central role in obtaining permission. Tourist entry and short business visits do not provide a general right to live or work in Bhutan.
The South Asia guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
BoliviaBolivia offers residence through local work, independent activity, study, and family connections. Longer-term settlement depends on the kind of residence held and the person’s history in the country; student residence follows a different progression from the ordinary permanent-residence route.
Country overview
Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (Caribbean Netherlands)Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba form the Caribbean Netherlands, with immigration arrangements separate from those of the European Netherlands. Pathways include employer-backed work and residence and permanent residence for qualifying established residents.
Local residence permission is distinct from Dutch citizenship and residence rights in the European Netherlands. The Immigration and Naturalisation Service’s Caribbean guidance covers the local residence system.
Country overview
Bosnia and HerzegovinaBosnia and Herzegovina has a national residence system covering work, higher education, family connections, and qualifying property ties. These routes support different purposes of stay and may lead to a later permanent-residence application. Citizenship through a Bosnian parent follows separate nationality rules.
Country overview
BotswanaBotswana’s covered routes include employer-supported work, running an approved business, higher-education study, and residence with a Botswana-citizen spouse. Work and residence approvals can be separate documents. The announced investment-citizenship initiative is not included as an open program because operative application rules were not verified.
The Southern Africa guide compares the covered residence options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
BrazilBrazil’s residence options cover employment, study, family, retirement, remote work, and qualifying business or property investment. Nationality can also shape the application through MERCOSUR arrangements, a separate process for specified neighboring nationalities, or the in-country route for citizens of Portuguese-speaking member countries. Residence, permanent status, and citizenship involve separate requirements.
Country overview
British Virgin IslandsThe British Virgin Islands is a Caribbean British Overseas Territory with pathways for employer-sponsored work and longer-term residence. The work-permit route is tied to a local employer and a specific role, while Residence Status is intended for people with an established history of living in the Territory.
Residence Status, Belonger Status, and British citizenship are distinct. The government’s Residence Status guidance describes the longer-term category.
Country overview
BruneiCovered routes include employer-supported work and university study. A local employer or institution must support the relevant approvals. Entry permission, the work or student pass, and any re-entry requirements should be checked separately. These temporary routes do not promise permanent residence.
See the Southeast Asia guide for selected routes and the distinctions between entry, residence, and work permission.
Country overview
BulgariaBulgaria’s residence options include employment, higher education, family ties, a documented pension, and qualifying foreign remote work. Skilled professionals and startup founders have more specialized routes. Bulgarian ancestry can support citizenship, while eligible European citizens and their relatives use a separate residence framework.
Country overview
Cabo VerdeCabo Verde’s covered options include local employment, higher-education study, an active business or professional activity, residence to join a resident spouse, and the temporary Remote Working Program. Ordinary temporary residence and the remote-work stay have different requirements and durations. A company registration, property purchase, or tourist entry alone does not settle your residence rights.
The West Africa guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
CambodiaThe covered employer-supported route combines ordinary Type E entry, the required work documents, and permission to stay. The initial Type E stay does not by itself authorize a job or a year of residence. Confirm the employer’s labor approvals and the current extension process for the planned contract.
See the Southeast Asia guide for selected routes and the distinctions between entry, residence, and work permission.
Country overview
CameroonCameroon’s covered options include supported work, an authorized independent business, higher-education study, and joining a foreign resident spouse. The correct long-stay visa and local residence card serve different purposes. The 2025 card rules also require address, criminal-record, and tax-compliance evidence.
The Central Africa guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
CanadaCanada is a top English-speaking destination with well-defined routes for skilled workers, graduates, and families, many leading to permanent residence and then citizenship. Canada allows dual nationality.
Country overview
Cayman IslandsThe Cayman Islands is a Caribbean British Overseas Territory with residence options based on investment and independent financial means. Its pathways include a long-term residence certificate combining investment with financial support and a separate developed-property route.
The categories differ in their investment structure, duration, renewal conditions, and work rights. Residence through property or financial means is separate from acquiring British citizenship.
Country overview
ChadChad’s covered routes include supported employment, an authorized local business, and higher-education study. Residence permission and authorization to work or operate a business are separate requirements. The September 2025 rules describe a renewable residence card and the related employment and activity approvals.
The Central Africa guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
ChileChile offers temporary residence through work, study, family, qualifying investment, and pension or asset income. Certain South American nationalities have a regional residence option. Permanent residence depends on the temporary category and the person’s residence history, alongside separate citizenship routes through birth, family, or naturalization.
Country overview
ChinaChina’s covered routes include employer-supported work, university study, and family residence. Q1 family reunion concerns relatives of a Chinese citizen living in China or a foreign permanent resident; S1 covers certain close relatives of a temporary foreign worker or student. Hong Kong and Macao have separate immigration systems, and a mainland permission does not authorize living or working there.
Country overview
ColombiaColombia’s system distinguishes visitor, migrant, and resident visas. Work, independent professional activity, family, pensions, investment, and regional nationality can support different categories; study and remote work generally sit within the visitor framework. That distinction affects work rights and whether time in the country builds toward permanent residence.
Country overview
Congo (Democratic Republic)DR Congo’s covered options include a work residence visa, ordinary residence for an active business, a special visa for an approved investment project, and student residence. The immigration authority DGM must confirm the filing sequence, including the prior lawful stay listed in the investment agency’s guide. These routes concern the Democratic Republic of the Congo, not Congo-Brazzaville.
The Central Africa guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
Congo (Republic)The Republic of the Congo, also called Congo-Brazzaville, has covered routes for supported employment, an approved business, study, and a citizen’s foreign spouse. Residence-card applications and permission for the intended activity are separate requirements. This country has a different immigration system from the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Central Africa guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
Cook IslandsCovered routes include the International Worker and Resident Investor categories. Both need the relevant local approvals; the category name Resident Investor does not establish permanent residence. Confirm the current rules instead of relying on temporary concessions marked as ended in January 2025.
See the regional guide and investment and citizenship comparison for the covered options and their limits.
Country overview
Costa RicaCosta Rica offers residence pathways for pensioners, people with independent income, investors, and family members, alongside separate permissions for remote work and study. Qualifying temporary residence can lead to permanent residence, while citizenship routes include descent and naturalization.
Country overview
CroatiaCroatia offers Adriatic coastal life alongside inland cities and universities. Its pathways include local employment, highly qualified work, study, family reunification, and remote work for foreign businesses. Citizenship routes reflect Croatian parentage and emigrant connections; European citizens can use mobility rights for a qualifying stay.
Country overview
CuracaoCuraçao, a Caribbean country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, offers residence pathways for retirees and people with independent income, remote workers, and investors.
Qualifying Dutch and U.S. citizens have a separate admission-by-law route that can support employment, business, retirement, or living from assets. Curaçao’s residence system is distinct from Dutch citizenship and residence in the European Netherlands.
Country overview
CyprusThe Republic of Cyprus has residence options for employees, students, families, remote workers, founders, and qualifying investors. Self-funded visitor residence supports a stay without local economic activity, while highly qualified employment has a Blue Card route limited to designated sectors. Citizenship through family connections and European residence rights sit alongside those application-based options.
Country overview
Czechia (Czech Republic)Czechia offers employment, business, study, and family pathways in a central European setting. Qualifying local graduates and researchers can obtain time to seek work or start a business after completing their program. Citizenship through family history and European residence rights provide separate starting points for eligible applicants.
Country overview
DenmarkDenmark offers residence through qualifying employment, higher education, approved startups, and family connections. Work schemes distinguish salary-based offers, shortage occupations, and certified employers. Citizenship through Danish parentage and residence rights for eligible European citizens are separate from those permits.
Country overview
DominicaDominica offers citizenship pathways through family connections, qualifying residence, and investment. Residence options include the temporary Work in Nature program for remote work, ordinary residence with financial support, and permanent residence for qualifying established residents.
Two regional systems also provide residence and work rights: full free movement with Barbados, Belize, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and OECS movement rights for qualifying citizens of the other independent Economic Union countries.
Country overview
Dominican RepublicThe Dominican Republic offers residence pathways through employment, family connections, retirement income, independent means, and investment. Ordinary temporary residence and a later permanent-residence route provide additional options, while students have a separate permission for education.
Citizenship pathways include descent and naturalization after qualifying residence.
Country overview
EcuadorEcuador offers residence through employment, independent work, recognized qualifications, study, investment, pensions, and income from assets. Family and regional nationality routes provide additional options. Temporary residence can support a later permanent-residence application when the relevant history and conditions are met.
Country overview
EgyptEgypt’s covered options include supported work, university study, business-investor residence, property-owner residence, bank-deposit residence, and citizenship through qualifying investment. The property and deposit residence bands start at USD $50,000. The citizenship program uses different amounts, procedures, and a separate application fee; residence investments do not automatically lead to citizenship.
The North Africa guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
El SalvadorEl Salvador has pathways for workers, students, investors, retirees, people with independent income, and family members. Longer-term residence options include progression from qualifying temporary residence and separate provisions based on Central American or Spanish origin.
Citizenship routes include descent, naturalization, and investment.
Country overview
Equatorial GuineaEquatorial Guinea’s covered route is employer-supported work with the required work and residence permits. The employer should confirm the current foreign-worker conditions, and the applicant should check the separate rules for leaving and re-entering the country. This first addition does not establish a general investor, retirement, or citizenship program.
The Central Africa guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
EstoniaEstonia’s digital economy is only one part of its immigration offering. Local employment, highly qualified work, study, family ties, startups, and foreign remote work can support different kinds of stay. E-residency is a digital identity service, while permission to live in Estonia comes through a separate residence basis.
Country overview
EswatiniEswatini publishes separate employment, business-person, student-pass, and dependent-permit checklists. Each route needs the appropriate employer, business, institution, or family evidence. A visitor’s permission does not replace approval for work, business, or a longer stay.
The Southern Africa guide compares the covered residence options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
EthiopiaEthiopia’s covered routes include supported employment, higher-education study and temporary residence through marriage to an Ethiopian citizen. Work or student authorization and the temporary residence ID have related but distinct requirements. The spouse route is also separate from citizenship and the Ethiopian Origin ID system.
The East Africa and Indian Ocean guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Autonomous territory
Faroe IslandsThe Faroe Islands are a self-governing part of the Kingdom of Denmark with their own immigration arrangements outside the EU. Local employment, higher education, and family ties can support residence. Nordic citizens have separate mobility rights, while other applicants use Faroese permits, including a dedicated employment scheme for eligible EU citizens.
Country overview
FijiCoverage includes work, study, family, business investment, and assured-income residence. The assured-income route requires age 45 and begins with six months before the FJD 100,000 completion-funding step. The investor permit covers an approved operating business, not an ordinary passive property purchase.
See the regional guide and investment and citizenship comparison for the covered options and their limits.
Country overview
FinlandFinland’s residence options cover employment, specialist work, entrepreneurship, startups, education, and family life. Separate graduate routes connect Finnish studies with a later working life. Citizenship through parentage or naturalization and residence rights for eligible European citizens complete a broader range of possibilities.
Country overview
FranceFrance offers residence routes for skilled workers, the self-employed, students, families, and those of independent means, in one of Europe's largest economies. Most build toward long-term residence and citizenship, and France allows dual nationality.
Country overview
French PolynesiaCovered options include employer-supported work and nonworking visitor residence. French Polynesia is part of France but has territorial immigration and employment rules. Non-French EU citizens still need to check local work authorization; visitor residence does not authorize professional activity.
See the regional guide and investment and citizenship comparison for the covered options and their limits.
Country overview
GabonGabon’s covered options include employer-supported work, an authorized self-employed business, and residence with a qualifying spouse. DGDI’s residence-card checklist distinguishes the supporting documents for each activity or family relationship. Work and commercial approvals must match what the applicant actually intends to do.
The Central Africa guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
GambiaThe Gambia distinguishes Permit A for nonworking residence, including retirement and study, from Permit B for approved employment or business activity. Non-ECOWAS applicants also need the applicable alien card. Confirm how the initial entry period, any extension, and the residence application fit together so that your stay remains lawful.
The West Africa guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
GeorgiaGeorgia offers residence options connected to work, business, investment, study, and family life. The ability to enter for a visit and the ability to obtain residence are separate questions, particularly when entry relies on another country’s visa or permit. Citizenship through family history or naturalization follows its own rules.
Country overview
GermanyGermany pairs a strong job market with some of Europe's most accessible work routes — including options that need no job offer — and, since 2024, generally permits dual citizenship. There are also dedicated routes for descendants of those stripped of citizenship under the Nazi regime.
Country overview
GhanaGhana’s covered options include work, study, active-business residence, a narrowly defined dependent-spouse route, and Right of Abode for qualifying former citizens or established members of the African diaspora. Diaspora Right of Abode requires substantial prior residence and supporting ties; it is not granted on ancestry alone. Citizenship by a parent or grandparent is a separate, birth-date-dependent question.
The West Africa guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
GibraltarGibraltar has its own residence system. New employment and business applications use the current residence framework, while university students, certain partners, and Category 2 applicants use different requirements. A British passport or a home purchase alone does not settle residence eligibility.
Residence permission does not itself grant citizenship.
Country overview
GreeceGreece’s pathways span local employment, study, family residence, remote work, financial independence, and qualifying investment. Greek family connections can support citizenship, while European citizens and their eligible relatives have separate residence rights. The different categories carry their own limits on work, family inclusion, and the continuation of a longer stay.
Country overview
GrenadaGrenada offers citizenship through descent, qualifying family connections, residence, and investment. Residence and work options include employer-supported permission, OECS movement rights, and the CSME skilled-national route.
The regional routes are based on qualifying Caribbean citizenship and, under the skilled-national system, an accepted skills category and certificate. Citizenship by investment is a separate route through an approved contribution or real-estate project.
Country overview
GuadeloupeGuadeloupe is a French overseas territory in the Caribbean, outside the Schengen Area. Its long-stay visitor route covers qualifying stays supported without working, while employment, study, and family circumstances involve their own immigration categories.
French overseas visa rules differ from the rules for mainland France and the Schengen Area. France-Visas explains the long-stay framework and the position of overseas territories.
Country overview
GuatemalaGuatemala offers residence pathways for employees of local or foreign companies, self-employed workers, investors, students, pensioners, and people with independent income. Family connections, qualifying residence history, and Central American origin can provide different bases for permanent residence.
Naturalization is a separate citizenship process for qualifying residents.
Country overview
GuyanaGuyana’s employment, business, and student visa processes support different reasons for living in the country. An employer, a documented business, or an educational institution provides the foundation for the application, alongside the applicant’s personal and financial records.
Country overview
HaitiThe covered options are employer-supported residence with the required work authorization and ordinary supported residence without local employment. Confirm current application arrangements directly with the immigration authority. Its residence checklist does not establish a dedicated retirement or remote-work program.
Residence permission does not itself grant citizenship.
Country overview
HondurasHonduras has residence options for pensioners, people with independent income, investors, and qualifying relatives of citizens. Employment, independent professional practice, study, and accompanying family members are also covered through special stay-permit categories.
Long-term residence and naturalization provide separate options for people with qualifying residence histories. The Honduras residence comparison explains the main categories and their different work and family provisions.
Special Administrative Region
Hong KongHong Kong offers employment, talent, university, family, and business routes. The entrepreneur assessment is separate from the capital-investment entrant program, and dependent work rights vary with the sponsor’s status. Non-Chinese nationals already living in Hong Kong may also check the seven-year permanent-residence route, which requires qualifying ordinary residence and evidence that Hong Kong is their only permanent home.
Country overview
HungaryHungary’s pathways include ancestry-based citizenship, highly qualified employment, study, eligible family reunification, investment, and foreign remote work. Guest self-employment covers qualifying independent activity and company management. Family inclusion and longer-term settlement depend heavily on the permit category, with several permissions designed for a limited stay.
Country overview
IcelandIceland offers residency through skilled work and family ties within the European Economic Area, plus citizenship by descent for those with an Icelandic parent. This guide brings the country's main residency and citizenship routes together and links to a full breakdown of each.
Country overview
IndiaIndia’s covered options include skilled employment, university study, and family stay with an Indian spouse. The OCI card serves eligible foreign citizens with specified Indian connections; it is not citizenship. The separate citizenship-by-descent route has strict registration and other-citizenship rules.
The South Asia guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
IndonesiaIndonesia’s covered options include employer-supported work, higher-education study, remote work, investment, longer stays, retirement, and the Global Citizen of Indonesia category. The permitted activity matters: a visa for one purpose does not automatically authorize a different local job. The employer or institution must support the approvals for the particular work or course.
See the Southeast Asia guide for selected routes and the distinctions between entry, residence, and work permission.
Country overview
IraqThe covered routes concern foreign investors and employees on licensed investment projects under federal Iraq’s system. They do not cover the Kurdistan Region’s separate investment and immigration framework. A company or project license must be followed by the required personal entry and residence process.
Use the residence comparison guide to compare the covered routes. Residence permission does not itself grant citizenship.
Country overview
IrelandIreland offers an English-speaking setting within the EU, with pathways through employment, study, business, and family. Irish citizenship can pass through qualifying family connections, including some grandparent-based registrations. Family residence depends on the sponsor’s citizenship or permission, with distinct rules for Irish citizens, European citizens, British citizens, and other foreign residents.
Crown Dependency
Isle of ManThe Isle of Man is a self-governing Crown Dependency in the Irish Sea, with an immigration system administered separately from the United Kingdom. Its pathways include sponsored employment, endorsed business ventures, and family residence. A work offer’s skill level can affect whether dependents may join, while business permission is tied to the applicant’s endorsed venture.
Country overview
IsraelIsrael’s pathways include citizenship through qualifying family or Law of Return connections, employment, family residence, and A/2 student permission. Each depends on a specific legal basis. An A/2 study approval does not provide general permission to work, and ordinary study or employment should not be confused with a citizenship application.
Country overview
ItalyItaly is a leading destination for people reconnecting with their heritage: citizenship by descent can reach back generations through an Italian ancestor. It also offers residence routes for remote workers, investors, retirees, and the self-employed, and permits dual citizenship.
Country overview
Ivory CoastCôte d’Ivoire’s resident-card process includes employees, students, traders, retirees with pension evidence, and supported spouses. The documents must match the reason for the stay. Residence permission does not replace any labor or professional authorization, and the pension checklist does not publish one universal income minimum.
The West Africa guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
JamaicaJamaica offers employer-supported work permission, self-employed work permission, and student status, alongside a CSME skilled-national route for qualifying regional citizens. Permanent residence is available on grounds including employment history, retirement, and family relationships.
Citizenship pathways include descent, marriage, qualifying residence, and restoration for certain former citizens.
Country overview
JapanJapan’s covered options include ordinary professional work, company transfers, highly skilled work, university study, dependent family residence, business management, and specified citizenship or family connections. Working holidays depend on a participating passport and are unavailable on a US passport alone. Student and dependent status do not automatically allow ordinary full-time employment; each resource explains the relevant permission.
Crown Dependency
JerseyJersey is a self-governing Crown Dependency near the French coast, with separate immigration and housing controls. Sponsored employment and family connections can support residence. Its high-value resident program concerns housing status and tax commitments; applicants who need immigration permission must qualify for that separately.
Country overview
JordanJordan’s covered pathways include work, study, residence without work through a bank deposit, and investment-linked citizenship. Annual bank-deposit residence has much smaller financial requirements than the separate citizenship framework, but it does not authorize work. A university submits the student residence application where the student’s nationality requires that permission.
Country overview
KazakhstanCovered routes include employer-supported C3 work, university study, citizen-spouse and foreign-worker family visas, foreign-income Neo Nomad permission, and the officially supported B9-1 IT specialist visa. Neo Nomad does not permit local employment. B9-1 is a visa to pursue a separate permanent-residence application, not residence approval itself. The current specialist residence pilot is scheduled through December 31, 2026.
See the Central Asia guide and regional comparison for the covered options and their limits.
Country overview
KenyaKenya’s covered options include employer-supported work, an active business, study, joining a qualifying spouse, residence on assured income, and the Class N remote-work permit. Each uses its own income, sponsor or activity conditions. Citizenship through a Kenyan parent is a separate question based on the parent’s nationality at birth.
The East Africa and Indian Ocean guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
KiribatiThe covered options are a supported local job, accepted local study, and an investor visa for an approved business. Each route needs its own evidence and immigration approval; a business registration or visitor entry alone is insufficient.
Use the residence comparison guide to compare the covered routes. Residence permission does not itself grant citizenship.
Country overview
KosovoKosovo offers temporary residence for employment, higher education, and qualifying family relationships. Each category connects the stay to a real job, institution, or household, with its own supporting evidence. Permission to live in Kosovo is separate from residence or work rights elsewhere in Europe.
Country overview
KuwaitKuwait uses separate residence categories for private-sector employment, government employment, sponsored study, and family. Qualifying owners or partners of KDIPA-licensed entities can also seek long-term investment residence. Confirm the current sponsor, documentary, and application requirements for the exact category.
Use the residence comparison guide to compare the covered routes. Residence permission does not itself grant citizenship.
Country overview
KyrgyzstanCovered routes include the Unified Work Permit, university study, foreign-resident family visas, qualifying investment, and Digital Nomad status. The current S and standard FF visas run for up to 90 days; longer stay needs the applicable continuing permission. Digital Nomad status is limited to specified professions and 11 nationalities, with separate income, bank-balance, and extension requirements.
See the Central Asia guide and regional comparison for the covered options and their limits.
Country overview
LaosCovered options include technical employment through an eligible employer and residence connected to an approved business investment. A company’s labor or investment approvals matter, as does the applicant’s actual role. Entry, the stay-permit card, and multiple-entry permission involve separate steps.
See the Southeast Asia guide for selected routes and the distinctions between entry, residence, and work permission.
Country overview
LatviaLatvia offers residence through employment, highly qualified work, study, family connections, qualifying company investment, and certain foreign remote-work arrangements. Its citizenship pathways recognize distinct Latvian and Liv family histories. The September 2026 residence rules changed investment options and some family arrangements, so the category matters as much as the destination.
Country overview
LebanonCitizeo currently covers citizenship through a Lebanese father at birth and university-supported student residence. The citizenship route concerns documenting an existing nationality connection through the father; it is not a general offer to everyone with Lebanese ancestry. A student application depends on the institution’s support and General Security’s requirements, with employment restricted.
Country overview
LesothoLesotho’s covered routes include employer-supported work, an operating business, higher-education study, and joining a qualifying spouse. Work authorization, an entry visa, and residence permission may be separate steps. Traveling through South Africa can also require separate South African permission.
The Southern Africa guide compares the covered residence options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
LiberiaLiberia’s covered options include employer-supported work and residence for a foreign resident’s dependent spouse. Work and residence permission are separate requirements. Each accompanying family member needs their own residence permission for a stay beyond the applicable short-stay period, and the process includes in-person checks.
The West Africa guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
LiechtensteinLiechtenstein is part of the European Economic Area but limits ordinary residence places. Employment and nonworking residence depend on allocation and the applicant’s circumstances, while study and family reunification follow separate rules. Working across the border and living in the principality are different arrangements, including for European citizens.
Country overview
LithuaniaLithuania offers routes for employees, highly qualified professionals, students, startup founders, and eligible family members. Citizenship and restoration options reflect Lithuanian ancestry and historical citizenship. European mobility rights provide another residence basis, while other applicants use the permit that fits their activity or family connection.
Country overview
LuxembourgLuxembourg combines a multilingual, high-income EU economy with residency routes for skilled workers and family members, plus an unusually generous citizenship-by-descent law reaching back to ancestors living in 1900. This guide gathers the country's main residency and citizenship routes and links to a full breakdown of each.
Country overview
MacaoMacao’s covered routes include approved nonresident employment, higher-education study, and family stay with an eligible specialist worker. These permissions allow the approved stay but do not confer Macao resident status. A worker’s family sponsorship and each family member’s work rights need separate checks; mainland Chinese and other nationality-specific procedures may differ.
Country overview
MadagascarMadagascar’s covered long-stay options include employment, an active business, and pension-supported retirement. The process begins with the correct convertible visa and continues with a local residence application. A tourist visa cannot be converted to these long-stay permissions, so arranging the right entry document before travel is essential.
The East Africa and Indian Ocean guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
MalawiMalawi’s covered options include a Temporary Employment Permit, a Business Residence Permit for qualifying foreign-funded activity, and study at an approved institution. A work permit must be obtained before entry to take up the job. Business owners need approval for their own activity, and timely renewal requires evidence that the business remains viable.
The East Africa and Indian Ocean guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
MalaysiaMalaysia’s covered options include Employment Pass work, higher-education study, worker dependents, citizen-spouse residence, the Graduate Pass, remote work, and longer-stay programs. Employment Pass applications from June 2026 use revised basic-salary and employer requirements. Worker dependents and citizen spouses have different work-permission processes, and the Graduate Pass is nationality-limited with restricted work rights.
See the Southeast Asia guide for selected routes and the distinctions between entry, residence, and work permission.
Country overview
MaldivesMaldives’ covered routes include employer-supported work, residence with a Maldivian spouse, and corporate residence through a qualifying investment or deposit. A tourist stay or short Business Visa does not establish the same rights. Investors should verify the qualifying project or bank and the actual residence conditions.
The South Asia guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
MaltaMalta’s residence pathways reflect both its local labor market and its international business community. Employees, students, families, remote workers, startup founders, and qualifying investors have different options, with European residence rights available to eligible citizens. Family sponsorship and permission to work depend on the particular residence category.
Country overview
Marshall IslandsThe covered Compact route supports residence and lawful occupations for U.S. citizens, subject to admission and local rules. It does not grant Marshallese citizenship or automatically cover non-U.S. family members.
See the regional guide and investment and citizenship comparison for the covered options and their limits.
Country overview
MartiniqueMartinique is a French overseas territory in the Caribbean, outside the Schengen Area. Its pathways include long-stay visitor permission, entrepreneur and independent-work residence, and employer-sponsored residence. EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens have a separate residence framework.
Visitor permission covers supported stays without work, while the employment and business categories address active work in Martinique. France-Visas describes the long-stay rules and the overseas framework.
Country overview
MauritiusMauritius’ covered options include professional, investor and self-employed Occupation Permits, retirement residence, the Premium Visa, the Golden Visa and residence through qualifying approved residential property. These routes have different activity and ownership conditions. Property-linked residence depends on the specific approved scheme and should not be confused with buying any home or acquiring citizenship.
The East Africa and Indian Ocean guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
MexicoMexico is one of the most popular destinations for people relocating internationally, with straightforward temporary and permanent residence routes for retirees, remote workers, and those with family or financial ties. Permanent residence can lead to citizenship, and Mexico allows dual nationality.
Country overview
MicronesiaThe covered Compact route provides a nationality-based residence and lawful-employment basis for U.S. citizens, subject to admission and local requirements. It does not apply merely because someone has a U.S. green card, and non-U.S. family members need their own status.
See the regional guide and investment and citizenship comparison for the covered options and their limits.
Country overview
MoldovaMoldova has residence options based on employment, study, family life, foreign remote work, and qualifying investment. Citizenship and restoration routes reflect Moldovan parentage and historical connections. These national permissions differ from EU residence rights, even where a European passport simplifies part of an application.
Country overview
MonacoMonaco’s self-supported residence route centers on a suitable home and accepted evidence of personal resources. Financial institutions and the residence authority each assess their part of the application. A residence card supports living in the principality, while local employment and citizenship are separate matters.
Country overview
MongoliaMongolia’s covered routes include approved employment, university study, investment in a qualifying business, and the C2-1 family route for relatives of science, education, or technology workers. The work category follows the sector, and the covered family route should not be applied to every C-category worker. Tourist entry exemptions do not replace the work and residence process.
Country overview
MontenegroMontenegro combines Adriatic coastal communities with mountain towns and a separate national immigration system. Its pathways include local employment, active business ownership, qualifying property, higher education, family reunification, and foreign remote work. The 2026 rules changed the financial conditions for some property and business applicants, while rights elsewhere in Europe remain separate.
Country overview
MontserratMontserrat is a British Overseas Territory in the eastern Caribbean with a Remote Worker Stamp, business-investment residence, and permanent residence for qualifying established residents.
A separate OECS residence route applies to qualifying regional citizens, with eligibility affected by how their citizenship was acquired.
Country overview
MoroccoMorocco’s covered routes include employer-supported work, higher-education study, residence with a Moroccan spouse, an authorized local business, and visitor residence supported by independent means. Visitor residence may fit someone living on a pension, but it does not establish a right to work remotely. Buying property or registering a company alone does not grant residence.
The North Africa guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
MozambiqueMozambique’s covered routes include an employer-supported work visa and a visa linked to an approved investment project. Immigration and work permissions must match the applicant’s actual role. An investment visa remains temporary permission; it is not a permanent residence card or a grant of citizenship.
The East Africa and Indian Ocean guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
MyanmarThe covered employment route is limited to qualifying investment employers supported by the Myanmar Investment Commission or a Special Economic Zone committee. It requires the relevant foreign-worker registration and immigration approvals. Confirm current processing for the intended work location; an ordinary business visa alone does not establish permission for any job.
See the Southeast Asia guide for selected routes and the distinctions between entry, residence, and work permission.
Country overview
NamibiaNamibia’s covered routes include local employment, higher-education study, accompanying a qualifying permit-holder spouse, and a six-month Digital Nomad Visa. The investor permit introduced in September 2026 can allow up to five years for approved business activity. Its capital criteria have not yet been publicly released; the published annual permit fee is not an investment price.
The Southern Africa guide compares the covered residence options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
Naoero (Nauru)The Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program is a direct citizenship-by-contribution route with due diligence and government approval. The current USD $90,000 principal contribution is a limited offer through December 31, 2026, with additional mandatory fees. Use the official licensed-agent process.
See the regional guide and investment and citizenship comparison for the covered options and their limits.
Country overview
NepalNepal’s covered routes include supported work, study, approved business investment, industrial-investor residence, and nonworking retirement residence. Existing NRN cardholders also need the appropriate immigration permission. A tourist stay or company registration alone does not authorize employment.
The South Asia guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
NetherlandsThe Netherlands offers skilled-worker, startup, and study routes, plus a treaty-based self-employment option (the DAFT) that is especially accessible to US citizens. Most routes build toward permanent residence; the Netherlands generally expects you to give up other nationalities when naturalizing.
Country overview
New CaledoniaCovered options include employer-supported work and nonworking visitor residence. New Caledonia is part of France with territorial immigration and employment rules. A visa or residence document for elsewhere should not be assumed to authorize the intended move or work.
See the regional guide and investment and citizenship comparison for the covered options and their limits.
Country overview
New ZealandCoverage includes skilled work, study, family, investment, business, and citizenship routes. Partners of eligible workers or students may qualify for temporary work visas, but not every principal visa or course supports them. Active Investor Plus residence differs from the Business Investor Work Visa and its later residence application.
See the regional guide and investment and citizenship comparison for the covered options and their limits.
Country overview
NicaraguaNicaragua’s residence options include local employment, independent work, study, family ties, investment, and support from a pension or other recurring income. Reforms in 2024 changed the legal framework: several routes are temporary, and even categories called permanent carry renewable permission. Current financial requirements for retirees and investors need individual confirmation.
Country overview
NigeriaNigeria’s covered options include supported employment, study, retirement abroad, small-enterprise investment, family residence, former-citizen residence, and regional mobility. The catalog also separates citizenship by birth, registration, and naturalization. A residence category labeled permanent in a visa classification can still have a limited permit period; check the specific route and work conditions.
The West Africa guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
NiueNiue has separate work and student visas and temporary permits under its own immigration law. New Zealand citizenship alone does not establish a right to remain or work locally. Confirm an actual job or course, sponsorship requirements, and the required repatriation bond with Niue Immigration.
Use the residence comparison guide to compare the covered routes. Residence permission does not itself grant citizenship.
Country overview
North MacedoniaNorth Macedonia offers residence for local employment, higher education, and eligible family reunification. Citizenship routes include descent, naturalization, and narrowly discretionary cases. A residence application is tied to its purpose, and the rights granted depend on the particular category.
Country overview
NorwayNorway has residence options for skilled and seasonal workers, eligible self-employed people, students, and family members. Established residents may have a later path to permanent status or citizenship. Norway’s participation in European mobility arrangements also gives eligible European citizens a separate way to live and work there.
Country overview
OmanOman’s covered options include employer-supported work, qualifying study, family residence, and Golden Residency. A licensed institution supports a student application, while an employer normally arranges work approval. Family applicants should confirm the sponsor’s current requirements with Royal Oman Police because the newer government checklist and older police guidance provide different levels of detail.
Country overview
PakistanPakistan’s covered options include employer-supported work, higher-education study, and the Pakistan Origin Card for eligible foreign nationals. The card depends on documented origin or family ties and nationality checks; it is distinct from Pakistani citizenship and NICOP.
The South Asia guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
PalauThe covered Compact route is narrowly screened for sole U.S. citizenship because Palau’s Compact contains a separate multiple-nationality provision. Admission, local occupational rules, and the law governing habitual residence still matter; a U.S. passport is not local citizenship.
See the regional guide and investment and citizenship comparison for the covered options and their limits.
Country overview
PanamaPanama has residence pathways for retirees, investors, employees, students, and people with qualifying family connections, alongside a temporary remote-work visa. Its options include the Pensionado program, Friendly Nations residence, and investment-based categories.
Some routes grant permanent residence directly, while others begin with temporary or provisional status.
Country overview
Papua New GuineaCovered routes include employer-sponsored working residence, higher-education study, business-investor permission, and separate family categories for dependents of citizens or foreign workers. A short business visit is different from permission to operate a business, and family stay does not automatically authorize employment.
See the regional guide and investment and citizenship comparison for the covered options and their limits.
Country overview
ParaguayParaguay’s ordinary temporary-residence process accommodates a range of lawful activities, with permanent residence available through a later application. Family relationships, eligible South American nationality, and certain investments provide other routes. Citizenship is a separate process based on the applicant’s legal status and life in Paraguay.
Country overview
PeruPeru has residence categories for work, qualifying study, family, business investment, and permanent pension or other income. Regional agreements offer additional options for eligible South American nationals. Permanent residence and citizenship follow their own rules, so the category held matters as much as the time spent in the country.
Country overview
PhilippinesCovered Philippine routes include employer-supported work, higher-education study, commercial 9(g) worker dependents, citizen-spouse residence, retirement, investment, and specified citizenship connections. The student category has an age and institution test, while worker-family inclusion has its own relationship and principal-visa requirements. Temporary family or study permission does not itself establish an unrestricted work right.
See the Southeast Asia guide for selected routes and the distinctions between entry, residence, and work permission.
Country overview
Pitcairn IslandsPitcairn offers temporary work, seasonal residence, settlement through close family or useful skills, and later permanent residence. The Governor decides applications after consulting the Island Council. Plan accommodation, insurance, transport, and the actual period on the island alongside the application.
Use the residence comparison guide to compare the covered routes. Residence permission does not itself grant citizenship.
Country overview
PolandPoland is a leading destination for people reclaiming their heritage: many with a Polish parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent may be able to confirm citizenship they already hold by descent. There are also work and study routes for those relocating.
Country overview
PortugalPortugal is one of the most popular destinations for people relocating internationally, with accessible routes for remote workers, retirees, investors, and skilled professionals. After five years of legal residence you can generally apply for citizenship, and Portugal allows dual nationality.
U.S. territory · U.S. pathways
Puerto RicoPuerto Rico is a U.S. territory covered by federal immigration law. U.S. citizens can live there without an immigration visa; foreign nationals use U.S. immigration categories rather than a separate Puerto Rico visa. Relevant pathways include family-based residence and employment-based residence.
Citizenship is also governed by U.S. law, including citizenship by birth and naturalization for qualifying permanent residents. The pathway cards below cover U.S. routes that may support life in Puerto Rico.
Country overview
QatarA local employer, a qualifying family sponsor, recognized incubator endorsement, or eligible property can support different residence applications in Qatar. The entrepreneur route includes a separate work-permit step. Property-linked benefits and family sponsorship should not be treated as automatic permanent residence or unrestricted employment rights.
Country overview
RomaniaRomania has residence routes for employees, highly qualified workers, students, families, and qualifying remote workers. Its 2026 employment system distinguishes ordinary recruitment from the Blue Card and other specialized arrangements. Citizenship through family history or naturalization and European mobility rights offer separate routes.
Country overview
RwandaRwanda’s covered routes include supported employment, sector-specific business and investment permits, higher-education study, retirement on assured income, and joining a foreign resident spouse. A permit’s category determines the allowed activity and renewal requirements. An initial business permit should not be confused with a later long-term renewal category.
The East Africa and Indian Ocean guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
Saint BarthélemySaint Barthélemy is a French overseas territory in the Caribbean, outside the Schengen Area. Its long-stay visitor route covers qualifying stays supported without working. Employment, study, and family circumstances fall under separate immigration categories.
The applicable visa framework depends on nationality and the purpose of the stay. France-Visas describes the long-stay rules and how French overseas territories differ from the Schengen Area.
Country overview
Saint Kitts and NevisSaint Kitts and Nevis offers work, family, retirement, and longer-term residence pathways, alongside citizenship through descent, naturalization, and investment. Its investment-citizenship program is separate from ordinary residence, including permanent residence for qualifying retirees.
Qualifying regional citizens also have OECS residence and work rights or a CSME skilled-national route.
Country overview
Saint LuciaSaint Lucia offers employer-supported work permission and regional residence routes, alongside citizenship through descent, naturalization, and investment. Citizenship by investment has several qualifying contribution or investment categories and is separate from the ordinary work-permit process.
OECS residence and work rights and the CSME skilled-national system provide options for qualifying Caribbean citizens.
Country overview
Saint Martin (French part)The French part of Saint Martin is a French overseas territory outside the Schengen Area. Its long-stay visitor route covers qualifying stays supported without working, while employment, study, and family circumstances involve separate immigration categories.
This framework is distinct from the immigration system in neighboring Dutch Sint Maarten. France-Visas explains the long-stay rules and the position of French overseas territories.
Country overview
Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesSaint Vincent and the Grenadines offers temporary residence, employer-supported work permits, and self-employed work permission. Permanent residence has separate grounds for qualifying established residents and holders of an Alien’s Land-Holding Licence.
Regional options include full free movement with Barbados, Belize, and Dominica, and OECS movement rights for qualifying citizens of other independent Economic Union countries. These arrangements support residence and work on the basis of regional citizenship.
Country overview
SamoaCovered routes include employer-supported work, study, and residence for an approved business. Business certification, licensing, work approval, and residence serve different purposes. The regional investment report also explains Samoa’s separate investment-to-citizenship law and the remaining need to confirm current intake.
See the regional guide and investment and citizenship comparison for the covered options and their limits.
Country overview
San MarinoSan Marino has its own immigration system within its small territory surrounded by Italy. Study, family ties, qualifying business activity, selected professional roles, investment, foreign income, and retirement can support different applications. Several categories combine residence with substantial financial commitments or special tax rules; none provides an automatic right to settle elsewhere in the EU.
Country overview
Sao Tome and PrincipeSão Tomé and Príncipe’s covered routes include supported employment, an independent business, higher-education study, and joining a qualifying resident spouse. These use residence procedures. A separate fund-donation program allows eligible applicants to seek citizenship after background checks and government approval. A business investment and a citizenship donation have different conditions and outcomes.
The Central Africa guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
Saudi ArabiaOrdinary employer-supported residence, qualifying education, and the separate Premium Residency products serve different plans in Saudi Arabia. A work visa described as permanent does not itself confer permanent immigration status. Student work and practical-training benefits should be checked against the approved course and current educational-visa conditions.
Country overview
SenegalSenegal’s covered routes include employer-supported work and higher-education study with the required foreigner identity card. Employees need labor approval of the contract. Students need current enrollment and the specified confirmation of support or scholarship. A short visa-free visit does not itself authorize residence or employment.
The West Africa guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
SerbiaSerbia offers residence through employment, genuine self-employment, study, family connections, and ownership of a home used for living there. Established residents can seek permanent status after a qualifying residence history. Citizenship by descent and Serbian origin provides a separate connection for people with relevant family roots.
Country overview
SeychellesSeychelles’ covered routes include employment and self-employment through the Gainful Occupation Permit, study at an approved institution, and residence as a citizen’s spouse. Foreign work, including unpaid work, requires the appropriate permission. The self-employed route also needs the investment authority’s review of the proposed project.
The East Africa and Indian Ocean guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
Sierra LeoneSierra Leone’s covered options include supported employment and residence for an approved active business. The current online permit system handles work and residence applications, with national identity registration forming part of the process. Business registration and investment promotion do not themselves issue a residence permit or citizenship.
The West Africa guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
SingaporeSingapore’s covered options include professional employment, entrepreneurship, investment, higher-education study, qualifying worker dependents, and specified citizenship routes. Existing Employment Pass or S Pass holders can apply for permanent residence, but approval is discretionary. Student and dependent work rights have separate conditions, and family sponsorship depends on the principal’s actual pass and circumstances.
See the Southeast Asia guide for selected routes and the distinctions between entry, residence, and work permission.
Country overview
Sint Maarten (Dutch part)Sint Maarten, the Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin, has its own immigration system within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Its residence categories include employment with a local employer, retirement supported by a pension, and permanent residence for qualifying established residents.
Local residence is separate from Dutch citizenship and residence in the European Netherlands. The government’s residence checklists describe the individual categories.
Country overview
SlovakiaSlovakia offers residence for local employment, highly qualified work, higher education, and family life. Its ancestry and diaspora pathways reflect connections to Slovak citizenship and communities abroad. European citizens have a separate basis for living, working, or studying in the country.
Country overview
SloveniaSlovenia links Alpine and Adriatic regions with pathways for local employment, highly qualified work, study, family residence, and temporary foreign remote work. Slovene family or cultural connections can support distinct citizenship routes. Eligible European citizens and their relatives use a separate residence framework, while digital-nomad permission is designed for a limited stay.
Country overview
Solomon IslandsCovered options include work, study, accompanying family, and provisional or established investor visas. The investor categories have different starting conditions; the established category requires an existing investor visa. Confirm the current paper submission process for long-term applications.
See the regional guide and investment and citizenship comparison for the covered options and their limits.
Country overview
South AfricaSouth Africa’s covered routes include skilled work, transfers within a company group, higher-education study, business, family, remote work, retirement, and permanent residence through financial independence. Citizenship routes include parentage, adoption, birth status, resumption, and naturalization. Each category has its own requirements; the 2026 immigration White Paper describes reforms that require implementation before they replace existing rules.
The Southern Africa guide compares the covered residence options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
South KoreaSouth Korea’s covered routes include professional work, business investment, degree study, remote work, working holidays, Korean heritage, and specified citizenship or spouse connections. The F3 family pathway here focuses on spouses and unmarried children under 18 of eligible E1 through E5 or E7 workers. The sponsor’s income, housing, and any additional category conditions matter, and dependent status is not unrestricted permission to work.
Country overview
SpainSpain’s residence options include local employment, study, family connections, foreign remote work, and support from independent resources. Eligible graduates of Spanish institutions can stay to look for work, although that search permission does not itself authorize employment. Citizenship after residence has nationality-specific waiting periods and rules about retaining another citizenship.
Country overview
Sri LankaSri Lanka’s covered options include supported employment, university study, investment residence, and foreign remote work. Separate permanent-residence routes cover certain former citizens and spouses of Sri Lankan citizens. The older Dream Home retirement program is limited to existing holders’ renewals.
The South Asia guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
SurinameSuriname has distinct residence procedures for foreign workers and for people with a qualifying Surinamese origin. Employment usually involves both residence and work permission, while defined birth, parentage, or former-nationality connections can support a separate residence application.
Country overview
SwedenSweden offers residence through employment, highly qualified work, self-employment, higher education, and family connections. Some qualified applicants and graduates can seek time to find work or explore a business. Swedish citizenship routes and European residence rights follow different requirements from these temporary permits.
Country overview
SwitzerlandSwitzerland treats EU and EFTA mobility separately from its more selective employment routes for other nationalities. Study, family reunification, and qualifying retirement can provide other residence bases. Citizenship through family history or naturalization is a separate question from permission to settle in a Swiss canton.
Region overview
TaiwanTaiwan’s covered options include employer-sponsored professional work, the Employment Gold Card, entrepreneurship, degree study, remote work, family residence, and specified citizenship connections. Ordinary employment residence is distinct from the Gold Card. A spouse or minor child joining a foreign resident has a separate checklist from someone joining a Taiwanese citizen; the sponsor’s residence status and the applicant’s passport rules both matter.
Country overview
TajikistanCovered routes include employer-supported work, academic study, and accompanying foreign-worker family permission. These use the standard visa process rather than the separate tourist eVisa service. Confirm the invitation, relevant labor or institutional support, actual stay period, and extension procedure. Family permission does not itself authorize the accompanying adult’s employment.
See the Central Asia guide and regional comparison for the covered options and their limits.
Country overview
TanzaniaTanzania distinguishes self-employed investor residence, skilled employment residence, nonworking retirement residence, and student permission. A worker or business operator may need both labor and immigration approval. International students use the study visa or pass appropriate to their nationality and course; ordinary tourist entry does not settle those requirements.
The East Africa and Indian Ocean guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
ThailandThailand’s covered routes include employer-supported work, ED Plus higher-education study, foreign-worker families, citizen-spouse residence, remote-work and longer-stay options, retirement, and specified citizenship connections. ED Plus applies to a bachelor’s degree or higher and includes an application for a graduate extension. Neither student nor family permission should be treated as an unrestricted work permit.
See the Southeast Asia guide for selected routes and the distinctions between entry, residence, and work permission.
Country overview
Timor-LesteCovered options include employment supported by a qualifying contract and temporary stay for university study. Use the current work and temporary-stay framework and obtain the application checklist from Immigration or the responsible consulate. Older references to former visa categories may describe a different process.
See the Southeast Asia guide for selected routes and the distinctions between entry, residence, and work permission.
Country overview
TogoTogo’s covered residence-card options include supported local employment, higher-education study, and an active business. Employees need hiring and contract records, while business operators need registration and tax or social-compliance evidence. Longer card categories have separate conditions; confirm the term available to a first applicant.
The West Africa guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
TokelauThe covered route is a supported local work assignment with the appropriate work-authorizing permission or documented official exemption. Arrange the process with the employer and responsible Tokelau and village authorities before travel. A New Zealand passport alone does not establish the local work basis.
Use the residence comparison guide to compare the covered routes. Residence permission does not itself grant citizenship.
Country overview
TongaCovered routes include employer-supported employment, approved business investment, and assured-income retirement. The retirement income test is annual and the visa does not permit work, study, or starting a business.
See the regional guide and investment and citizenship comparison for the covered options and their limits.
Country overview
Trinidad and TobagoTrinidad and Tobago offers pathways for employment, study, professional or business activity, and family residence. A separate skilled-national route supports residence and work for qualifying Caribbean citizens under the CSME system.
Citizenship options include birth, family connections, adoption, qualifying residence, and restoration for certain former citizens. Family residence and citizenship applications provide different routes for people with an existing connection to the country.
Country overview
TunisiaTunisia’s covered options include work, higher-education study, residence with a Tunisian spouse, retirement supported by regularly transferred income, and an eligible business-investor or management role. Labor approval, company documents, and residence permission serve different purposes. The retirement checklist does not publish one universal income minimum.
The North Africa guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
TurkmenistanCovered routes include employer-supported work and university study. Both need an invitation approved by the State Migration Service, arranged by the employer or institution in Turkmenistan. An ordinary company invitation or admission letter is not the same approval. Check the granted dates, work conditions, and local formalities rather than assuming a fixed year-long stay.
See the Central Asia guide and regional comparison for the covered options and their limits.
Country overview
Turks and Caicos IslandsThe Turks and Caicos Islands is a British Overseas Territory with permanent-residence categories based on home investment, business investment, and qualifying long-term residence. A separate investment category covers qualifying completed home or business investments without an advance government undertaking.
The categories differ in their investment requirements and work rights. A Permanent Residence Certificate is distinct from Turks and Caicos Islander status and British citizenship.
Country overview
TuvaluTuvalu’s Permit to Enter and Reside can support employment, study, business, or an accepted family purpose. Permits last up to one year, and extensions are restricted. Confirm the authorized activities and renewal rules for the category you use.
Use the residence comparison guide to compare the covered routes. Residence permission does not itself grant citizenship.
Country overview
Türkiye (Turkey)Türkiye has residence options for work, study, family life, property-related stays, and certain remote workers. Longer-term residents may qualify for a separate long-term permit, while ancestry, marriage, naturalization, and investment can support distinct citizenship applications. Each category grants a different set of rights.
U.S. territory · U.S. pathways
U.S. Virgin IslandsThe U.S. Virgin Islands is a U.S. territory covered by federal immigration law. U.S. citizens can live on the islands without an immigration visa; foreign nationals use U.S. immigration categories rather than a separate territorial visa. Relevant pathways include family-based residence and employment-based residence.
U.S. law also governs citizenship by birth and naturalization for qualifying permanent residents. The pathway cards below cover U.S. routes that may support life in the islands.
Country overview
UgandaUganda’s covered options include employer-supported work, a shareholder’s general-trade business, higher-education study, and joining a qualifying spouse. Work and business applications require records from the local employer or enterprise. A visit or a company registration alone does not provide permission to live and work there.
The East Africa and Indian Ocean guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
UkraineUkraine’s pathways include local employment, university study, family residence, and citizenship through a Ukrainian parent or a qualifying territorial connection. Family history can also support a separate permanent-residence application. Wartime conditions affect travel and access to administrative services, while the citizenship process follows updated rules introduced in 2026.
Country overview
United Arab EmiratesThe UAE offers tax-friendly residence routes tied to employment, business ownership, property, or remote work, including long-term Golden visas for qualifying individuals. Citizenship is rarely available, so the draw is long-term residence rather than naturalization.
Country overview
United KingdomThe United Kingdom offers one of the widest sets of immigration routes of any country — from sponsored work visas and talent routes that need no job offer, to citizenship claims for people with a British parent or grandparent. This guide brings the UK's main residency and citizenship routes together in one place and links to a full breakdown of each.
Country overview
United StatesThe United States offers a wide range of routes to a green card — through employment, family, investment, extraordinary ability, and the diversity visa lottery — as well as citizenship for people born to a U.S. parent. This guide brings the country's main residency and citizenship routes together and links to a full breakdown of each.
Country overview
UruguayUruguay combines broad residence options for people settling with a documented means of support with temporary routes for work, study, and remote work. Family relationships and eligible South American nationality can support direct permanent-residence applications. Citizenship has separate residence, family, and participation requirements.
Country overview
UzbekistanCovered routes include ordinary employer-supported work, university study, the IT Visa branches for qualifying specialists and approved IT Park founders, and the INV business-investment visa. The ordinary IT-specialist branch has a past-year income test; the founder branch requires an already approved IT Park resident company. A1 student status and three-year IT or investment visas are temporary permissions, not permanent residence.
See the Central Asia guide and regional comparison for the covered options and their limits.
Country overview
VanuatuCoverage includes sponsored employment, study, family, self-funded residence, investor residence, and citizenship through specified contribution or approved-investment programs. Provisional, business, direct, and permanent investor visas have different conditions. Residence and citizenship should be compared separately.
See the regional guide and investment and citizenship comparison for the covered options and their limits.
Country overview
VenezuelaVenezuela’s visa categories cover local employment, study, qualifying investment, income from abroad, and close family relationships. Family routes distinguish relatives of Venezuelan citizens from relatives of foreign permanent residents. The permission granted and its renewal requirements depend on the category.
Country overview
VietnamVietnam’s covered routes include work, study, investment, specified talent, family residence, and citizenship connections. The TT family category distinguishes relatives of Vietnamese citizens from eligible spouses and children of qualifying foreign visa holders. Incoming foreign-worker families do not need Vietnamese ancestry; the sponsor’s category and the relationship still determine the route.
See the Southeast Asia guide for selected routes and the distinctions between entry, residence, and work permission.
Country overview
ZambiaZambia’s covered routes include supported employment, investment in a new or existing business, study, joining a qualifying spouse, and retirement with accepted long-term financial support. The retirement Residence Permit can confer permanent residence, but entry and absence conditions still matter. An Investor’s Permit has a different starting point and does not grant immediate permanent residence.
The East Africa and Indian Ocean guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
Country overview
ZimbabweZimbabwe’s covered options include supported employment, an approved investment business, and higher-education study. The employer, business or institution must supply records matching the reason for the stay. The ordinary investor checklist should not be treated as a fixed-price citizenship program or a guarantee of permanent residence.
The East Africa and Indian Ocean guide compares the covered options and links to their requirements.
