Which countries offer a long-term residence permit visa?

VisaPassage tracks 95 countries offering a long-term residence permit route — 95 with fully verified government fees, processing times and rights, and 0 more at summary level. Every entry is checked against official sources and describes typical eligibility, never a promise of approval.

Does a long-term residence permit visa lead to permanent residency?

In 48 of the tracked long-term residence permit routes there is a statutory path to permanent residency — the fastest reaches PR on grant in Bulgaria. These are statutory minimums and may vary by individual circumstances; they are never a guarantee.

Can you work on a long-term residence permit visa?

Work rights vary by country: 53 of the tracked long-term residence permit routes carry some form of work permission — see the Rights column in the comparison table for each country's specific terms. Confirm against the official source before relying on it.

Visa types · Special Categories

Long-Term Residence Permit visa

General long-stay residence permits that do not fit a specific programme.

95 countries with verified fees and rights.

						Rights
Albania Albania Long-Stay Type D Visa	—	15 days	—	90 days	5 years	Study: Permitted where the residence ground is study, via the subsequent permit. Residency after 5 years Family: Family members can follow via family reunification once the sponsor is resident.
Algeria Algeria Resident Card (2-Year)	—	—	—	—	7 years	Residency after 7 years
Andorra Andorra Long-Term Settled Residence (10-Year Renewal Tier)	—	60 days	—	—	20 years	Work: Work rights follow the underlying category (active permits allow work; passive permits do not). Study: Holder and dependants may study in Andorra. Residency after 20 years Family: Family covered via reunification or their own residence within the household.
Angola Angola Residence Establishment Visa	€190.80	30 days	—	120 days	10 years	Work: Permits paid professional work once residence is established. Study: Residents may study in Angola. Residency after 10 years
Antigua and Barbuda Antigua and Barbuda Residence Permit (Class A)	—	—	—	—	4 years	Study: Residents may study in Antigua and Barbuda. Residency after 4 years
Argentina Argentina Mercosur Temporary Residence	—	—	—	—	—	—
Armenia Armenia Special Residence Status (10-Year Special Passport)	AMD 150,000	135 days	—	—	—	—
Austria Long-Term Resident – EU Permit	€210	—	—	—	—	—
Bahamas Bahamas Annual Residence Permit	$200	—	—	—	1 year	Study: Lawful residence permits study. Residency after 1 year
Barbados Barbados Special Entry & Residence Permit - High Net Worth Investor (Category 1)	$150	—	—	—	5 years	Work: Permitted to work via the accompanying SERP work permit (separate fee). Study: Lawful long-term residence permits study. Residency after 5 years Family: Spouse and dependants can be added with a USD 150 application fee each plus applicable SERP fees.
Belgium Belgium EU Long-Term Resident Status	—	150 days	—	—	5 years	Work: Full labour-market access with near-equal treatment to nationals. Study: Full access to education and training. Residency after 5 years Family: Family reunification available subject to conditions.
Benin Benin Temporary Resident Card	F CFA 100,000	—	—	—	—	Work: Permits residence with the underlying activity (work needs a work permit; business needs registration). Study: Covers residence of enrolled students. Residency: Holding the temporary card twice is the precondition for the 3-year ordinary card, then the 10-year privileged card.
Benin Benin Ordinary Resident Card	F CFA 250,000	—	—	—	—	Work: Permits residence and the declared activity (salaried work still needs a work permit). Study: Covers residence including study. Residency: Renewing the ordinary card twice with established ties opens the 10-year privileged resident card.
Bolivia Bolivia MERCOSUR Temporary Residence (2 Years)	BOB 1,473	—	—	—	2 years	Work: MERCOSUR residents enjoy access to work and equal labour rights with nationals. Study: Equal access to education. Residency after 2 years Family: Family members of the MERCOSUR national may obtain residence on the relationship basis.
Botswana Botswana Residence Permit (Temporary)	—	30 days	—	—	5 years	Study: Students apply in the residence-permit framework with admission and sponsorship documents; the permit supports lawful study. Residency after 5 years Family: Separate categories exist for spouses of citizens, dependants and immigrants; each applies on their own documents.
Brazil Brazil Mercosur Residence Agreement	—	—	—	—	—	—
Brunei Brunei Long Term Pass	—	—	—	—	—	—
Bulgaria Bulgaria Long-Term Resident (EU) Status	—	60 days	—	—	On grant	Work: Near-equal treatment with nationals, including free labour-market access. Study: Full access to education. Residency: Already long-term/permanent status; citizenship by naturalisation thereafter. Family: Family members may hold or derive residence.
Cabo Verde Cabo Verde Residence Visa (Visto de Residencia)	—	—	—	—	5 years	Work: Underpins a residence permit that authorises the declared employment or self-employment. Study: Lawful residence permits study alongside the main activity. Residency after 5 years Family: Family members can join via family reunification once residence is established.
Cameroon Cameroon Temporary Residence Card (Carte de Sejour)	FCFA 200,000	—	—	—	6 years	Work: Permits residence; employment still depends on holding a valid work permit underlying the card. Study: Lawful residence permits enrolment in study. Residency after 6 years
Cameroon Cameroon Long-Stay e-Visa	FCFA 200,000	3 days	—	360 days	6 years	Residency after 6 years
Chile Chile Temporary Residence under International Agreements (incl. Mercosur)	—	—	—	—	2 years	Work: Mercosur and most agreement holders enjoy broad rights to work. Study: May study under the agreement's terms. Residency after 2 years Family: Family members covered under the agreement / Art. 74 of Law 21.325.
Colombia Colombia M Migrant Visa - Mercosur Resident	$230	30 days	—	—	5 years	Work: Open work authorisation under the Mercosur agreement. Study: Study permitted. Residency after 5 years Family: Dependent family members may apply as beneficiaries.
Congo Republic of the Congo Ordinary Resident Card	FCFA 206,000	—	—	—	10 years	Work: Permits residence-based activity; employment still requires a valid work authorisation. Study: Education permitted under lawful residence. Residency after 10 years
Congo Republic of the Congo Temporary Resident Card	FCFA 106,000	—	—	—	10 years	Work: Permits the activity underlying the card (work with a valid work authorisation, study or investment). Study: Permits enrolled study where that is the basis of residence. Residency after 10 years
Côte d'Ivoire Côte d'Ivoire Carte de Résident (Biometric Residence Card)	F CFA 300,000	15 days	—	—	—	Work: Work permitted where the residence basis (work/business) authorises it; salaried work still needs an AGEPE-approved contract. Study: Lawful residence permits study. Residency: 5-year renewable card; no fixed statutory permanent-residence/naturalisation timeline published here.
Côte d'Ivoire ECOWAS Free Movement (CEDEAO Nationals)	F CFA 0	—	—	90 days	—	Work: ECOWAS nationals may seek and carry out employment under the free-movement Protocol (second phase). Study: May study as a free-moving community national. Residency: Right of residence and establishment under the ECOWAS Protocol; exempt from the non-ECOWAS resident card. Family: Family members who are ECOWAS nationals enjoy the same free-movement rights.
Croatia Croatia Long-Term Residence (EU)	€83.62	—	—	—	—	—
Cuba Cuba Temporary Residence Permit (Foreigners)	—	—	—	—	—	Work: Permitted only where the residence is granted on a work or business basis. Study: Permitted where residence is granted on a study basis. Residency: Permanent residence is generally reached only via marriage/family to a Cuban national or repatriation, not by accrued years alone.
Cyprus Cyprus EU Long-Term Resident Status	€30	270 days	—	—	—	—
Czechia Permanent Residence Permit after 5 Years (EU Long-term Resident)	CZK 2,500	60 days	—	—	—	—
Dominica Dominica Residence Permit (Non-Working)	EC$800	—	—	—	5 years	Study: Lawful residence permits study; institutions may have their own requirements. Residency after 5 years
Dominican Republic Dominican Republic Student Permit (E-1)	—	90 days	—	—	—	Study: Authorises enrolled study for the permit period.
Dominican Republic Dominican Republic Ordinary Temporary Residence (RT-9)	—	90 days	—	—	5 years	Study: Holders may study. Residency after 5 years Family: Dependents apply via the dependent residence (RT-7) category.
DR Congo DR Congo Ordinary Establishment Visa (Professionals)	$700	—	—	—	—	Work: Authorises the declared professional or economic activity. Study: Lawful residence permits study. Residency: Renewable resident status (carte de résident); no published statutory PR/naturalisation clock and single nationality only.
Ecuador Ecuador MERCOSUR Temporary Residence Visa	$250	30 days	—	—	2 years	Work: MERCOSUR residents have the right to work on equal terms with nationals. Study: Right to study under the MERCOSUR Residence Agreement. Residency after 2 years Family: Family members may be included under the agreement / amparo category.
Egypt Egypt Special Residence Permit (10 years)	—	90 days	—	—	10 years	Study: Holder may study. Residency after 10 years Family: Dependants may obtain matching residence.
Egypt Egypt Ordinary (Temporary) Residence Permit	—	30 days	—	—	15 years	Study: Permitted where the residence is study-based. Residency after 15 years Family: Dependants may obtain matching residence.
Estonia Estonia Temporary Residence Permit for Settling Permanently	€225	90 days	—	—	—	—
Eswatini Eswatini Citizenship by Naturalisation (Class C1)	SZL 500	—	—	—	—	Work: On grant of citizenship, full and unrestricted work rights. Study: Full access to education as a citizen. Residency: This is the naturalisation route to citizenship after long-term residence. Family: Minors handled under Class C3; spouses use their own qualifying class.
Eswatini Eswatini Special Pass	—	—	—	—	—	—
Ethiopia Ethiopia Temporary Residence ID	—	10 days	—	—	3 years	Work: Residence tied to the underlying status (e.g. employee with a work permit); study/journalist categories carry their own limits. Study: Students hold the temporary ID for the study period. Residency after 3 years
Finland Finland EU Long-Term Resident's Residence Permit (P-EU)	€380	—	—	—	—	Work: Unrestricted right to work. Study: Unrestricted right to study. Residency: This is long-term/permanent status; citizenship requires 8 years' residence (5 with language). Family: Family members apply on the basis of family ties.
France France EU Long-Term Resident Card (Longue duree-UE)	€350	—	€1,867.02	—	—	—
Gabon Gabon Long-Stay Entry Visa (Visa de Long Séjour)	—	30 days	—	—	3 years	Residency after 3 years
Greece Greece EU Long-Term Resident Permit	—	—	—	—	—	—
Guatemala Guatemala Permanent Residence - After Five Years of Temporary Residence	$700	—	—	—	—	Work: Permanent residents may carry out lawful activities, including paid work. Study: May study. Residency: This IS permanent residence; naturalisation possible thereafter (5 years' residence for non-Central Americans). Family: Dependants may be added where prior status was migrant worker or investor.
Guinea Guinea Long-Term Visa (Visa Long Séjour - VLS)	$150	3 days	—	365 days	—	Work: Permits the activity stated in the basis-of-stay document (e.g. an approved employment contract); a work card/authorisation is still required for employment. Study: Permits enrolled study where the basis of stay is a student registration. Residency: Entry route to obtaining a residence card (carte de séjour) in Guinea; no fixed statutory years to permanent residence published.
Guinea Guinea Residence Card (Carte de Séjour)	—	—	—	—	—	Work: Where the card is issued on an employment basis, work is permitted in line with the approved contract and work card. Study: Permits residence for study where issued on that basis. Residency: Renewable residence; no published statutory permanent-residence or naturalisation timeline tied specifically to card years. Family: Accompanying family members aged over fifteen must each hold a residence card; validity cannot exceed that of the principal's contract/stay.
Guinea Guinea ECOWAS Free Movement (Visa-Free Entry + Residence Card)	—	—	—	90 days	—	Work: ECOWAS nationals enjoy facilitated access to employment and establishment; an ECOWAS work permit/residence card applies for longer-term work. Study: May reside and study under the free-movement framework. Residency: Residence and establishment rights under the ECOWAS Protocol; no fixed years-to-PR published. Family: Family members may accompany under the same ECOWAS free-movement rights.
Haiti Haiti Residence Permit (Permis de Sejour)	—	—	—	—	5 years	Study: Permits lawful long-term stay including for study purposes. Residency after 5 years
Hong Kong Hong Kong Unconditional Stay / Right to Land	HK$330	—	—	—	7 years	Work: No condition of stay; free to live, work and study without restriction. Study: No restriction on study. Residency after 7 years
Hungary Hungary National Residence Card	HUF 26,000	70 days	—	—	—	—
Iceland Icelandic Citizenship by Naturalisation	ISK 60,000	—	—	—	—	Work: Full citizen rights, including unrestricted work. Study: Full citizen rights. Residency: Naturalisation is the endpoint; Iceland allows dual citizenship. Family: Minor children can be included in the same application at no extra fee.
India Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card	$275	60 days	—	—	On grant	Work: Live, work and study in India without a separate work permit (some restricted/research roles need permission). Study: Full study rights with NRI parity for admissions. Residency: OCI is itself a lifelong residence right; Indian citizenship possible after 5 years OCI + 1 year residence. Family: Spouse (2 years' marriage) and descendants may each hold their own OCI.
Ireland Ireland Long Term Residency (Stamp 4)	€500	210 days	—	—	—	—
Israel Israel A/1 Temporary Resident Visa (Pre-Aliyah)	—	—	—	—	—	—
Italy Italy EU Long-Term Residence Permit	—	—	—	—	—	—
Jamaica Jamaica Unconditional Landing	—	—	—	—	—	Work: May work in Jamaica without a work permit. Study: May attend school without a separate student authorisation. Residency: Allows indefinite residence; holders by virtue of marriage to a Jamaican may apply for permanent residence. Family: Status is individual; minor children may be applied for, including by an authorised adult when parents are overseas.
Jordan Jordan Five-Year Residence by Bank Deposit	—	—	—	—	—	Study: Resident and included family may enrol in study. Residency: Renewable 5-year permit; no fixed statutory path to citizenship. Family: Family admitted on follower/family residence permits.
Kosovo Kosovo Long-Stay Visa (Type D) – Residence Entry Visa	€80	15 days	—	90 days	—	Residency: The Type D visa is the gateway to a temporary residence permit and the residence ladder.
Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan Temporary Residence Permit	—	30 days	—	—	—	—
Latvia Latvia EU Long-Term Resident Status	€160	90 days	—	—	—	—
Luxembourg Luxembourg EU Long-Term Resident Status	€80	—	—	—	5 years	Work: Work permit for all sectors, professions and employers. Study: Study permitted. Residency after 5 years Family: Dependent family must be covered by health insurance; family reunification available.
Madagascar Madagascar Transformable Long-Stay Visa	—	—	—	—	3 years	Study: Students enter on this visa then transform to a student residence card. Residency after 3 years Family: Spouse and children may obtain dependent long-stay visas under family categories.
Malawi Malawi Temporary Residence Permit (TRP)	$200	—	—	—	—	Work: May cover short-term consultancy/work-related activity as specified in the permit; not open-ended employment.
Malta Malta EU Long-Term Residence Permit	€500	—	—	—	—	—
Monaco French Long-Stay Visa Type D for Settlement in Monaco	€99	42 days	—	90 days	10 years	Residency after 10 years Family: Each family member files an individual Type D application; the principal's resources support the household.
Morocco Morocco Residence Permit - Salaried Worker (titre de séjour 'salarié')	—	—	—	—	4 years	Work: Work permitted within the terms of the approved CTE. Study: Permitted. Residency after 4 years Family: Dependants apply under family reunification.
Mozambique Mozambique Temporary Residence (DIRE)	—	—	—	—	10 years	Work: Work permitted where the DIRE is on a work/investment basis with the corresponding labour authorisation. Study: Lawful residence permits study. Residency after 10 years Family: Dependents hold their own DIRE on the accompanying basis.
Mozambique Mozambique Precarious Residence Authorisation	—	—	—	—	10 years	Work: Work permitted where the underlying basis and labour authorisation allow it. Study: Lawful residence permits study. Residency after 10 years Family: Dependents hold their own residence document on the accompanying basis.
Nepal Nepal Non-Tourist Visa (General Purpose)	$60	15 days	—	—	—	Family: Dependents obtain dependent non-tourist visas on recommendation; under-10 children gratis.
Netherlands Netherlands Long-Term EU Resident Permit	€254	180 days	—	—	—	—
Nicaragua Nicaragua Temporary Residence	$155	—	—	—	4 years	Work: Work allowed where the residence sub-category authorises it (e.g. worker, professional); some sub-categories also require a labour authorisation. Study: Temporary residents may study in Nicaragua. Residency after 4 years Family: Dependent family within the second degree of consanguinity and first of affinity are considered temporary residents.
Nigeria Nigeria Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC)	$2,000	—	—	—	—	Work: Permits the approved activity stated in the permit (e.g. employment under quota). Study: Student CERPAC supports enrolled full-time study. Residency: Long-term renewable residence; an onward permanent-residence category may apply for qualifying skilled, investor, spouse or retiree applicants. Family: Dependants of the holder can obtain dependent CERPAC; spouses of Nigerian citizens are issued gratis.
Norway Norwegian Citizenship by Naturalisation	NOK 6,500	—	—	—	—	Work: Citizens have unrestricted rights to live and work in Norway. Study: Citizens have unrestricted rights to study in Norway. Residency: Citizenship is the final status; dual citizenship is allowed since 1 January 2020. Family: Spouses may qualify under the reduced residence rule; children may acquire citizenship through a Norwegian parent.
Panama Panama Friendly Nations Visa	$250	150 days	—	—	—	—
Paraguay Paraguay Temporary Residence (Ley N° 6984/2022)	PYG 27,875.50	45 days	—	—	2 years	Work: Precarious resident status permits work for the duration of the residence. Study: Holders may study in Paraguay. Residency after 2 years Family: Dependent spouse and children apply on the basis of family relationship and the sponsor's solvency.
Paraguay Paraguay Mercosur Temporary Residence	PYG 22,300.40	45 days	—	—	2 years	Work: Full right to work under the Mercosur agreement. Study: Full access to study. Residency after 2 years Family: Family members of qualifying nationals are included; minors need parental documents.
Peru Peru Mercosur Agreement Residence (Residencia por Acuerdo Mercosur)	PEN 161.40	30 days	—	—	2 years	Work: Authorised to study and carry out lawful lucrative activities in public and private sectors. Study: Study is expressly permitted. Residency after 2 years Family: Family members of the Mercosur national may also obtain residence under the agreement.
Poland Poland EU Long-Term Resident Permit	PLN 640	180 days	PLN 1,010	—	5 years	Work: Work without a permit and equal treatment in employment. Study: Equal treatment in education and vocational training. Residency after 5 years
Portugal Portugal EU Long-Term Resident Status	—	—	—	—	—	—
Romania Romania EU Long-Term Resident Status	—	180 days	—	—	5 years	Work: Full labour-market access on a par with Romanian nationals. Study: Access to education equal to nationals. Residency after 5 years Family: Family members may reside under family-reunification rules.
Rwanda Rwanda Reciprocity Long-Term Visitor Visa (V12)	$160	14 days	—	180 days	—	—
Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Kitts and Nevis OECS Free Movement Residence	—	—	—	—	—	Work: OECS nationals may work without a work permit. Study: May study without a separate student visa. Residency: Indefinite stay; naturalisation follows ordinary residence rules (14 years legal residence).
Saint Lucia Saint Lucia Residence Permit (Temporary Residence)	—	—	—	—	5 years	Study: Lawful residence permits enrolment in study. Residency after 5 years Family: Spouse and dependent children may be included or apply alongside the main applicant.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Saint Vincent and the Grenadines OECS Free Movement Entry	EC$0	—	—	—	—	Work: May live and work without a work permit; exempt from work/residence applications since 2011. Study: May enrol and study on near-equal terms. Residency: Indefinite right of residence; onward naturalisation possible after seven years' residence. Family: Family members of OECS nationals may accompany under free movement.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Temporary Residence Permit	EC$1,800	49 days	—	—	7 years	Study: Lawful residence permits study. Residency after 7 years
San Marino San Marino Ordinary Stay Permit	—	—	—	365 days	—	Study: Lawful stay permits incidental study. Residency: Sustained regular presence can lead to registry residence; a dedicated channel exists for 15+ year residents (art. 19-bis).
Senegal Senegal Foreign Identity Card (Residence Authorization)	F CFA 15,200	—	—	—	—	Study: Lawful residence permits enrolment; students typically hold the student-category card. Residency: Long lawful residence may support an autorisation d'etablissement (settlement) but there is no fixed statutory waiting period or automatic permanent status. Family: Each adult holds their own card; children under fifteen are exempt from holding one.
Serbia Serbian Citizenship by Naturalisation (Admission)	—	—	—	—	—	Work: Citizens have unrestricted rights to live and work in Serbia. Study: Full access as a citizen. Residency: Endpoint of the residence pathway; confers full citizenship. Family: Spouses (3 years' marriage) and minor children have favourable routes.
Slovakia Slovakia National (Type D) Long-Stay Visa	€80	30 days	—	—	5 years	Study: Language-school study is a primary qualifying purpose. Residency after 5 years
Slovakia Slovakia EU Long-Term Residence	€165.50	90 days	—	—	—	Work: Free access to the labour market. Study: Full access to study. Residency: This is the EU long-term resident status itself; supports later citizenship. Family: Family may join via family reunification.
South Korea Points-Based Residence Visa F-2-7	—	—	—	—	—	—
Spain Spain Arraigo (Residence for Exceptional Circumstances)	—	90 days	—	—	—	—
Sri Lanka Colombo Port City Special Economic Zone Residence Visa	—	—	—	—	—	Work: Work/business permitted within the Port City SEZ framework for the relevant category (investor/employee/business). Study: Dependents may reside and study. Residency: Preferential 5-10 year residence; longer-term residence administered by the CPCEC. Family: Spouse and dependent children of qualifying applicants and CPCEC expatriate staff.
Suriname Suriname Temporary Residence Permit (Verblijfsvergunning Bepaalde Tijd)	$150	90 days	—	—	5 years	Study: Lawful residence permits enrolment in study. Residency after 5 years Family: Spouse and dependent minor children forming part of the family may obtain residence permits.
Suriname Suriname Authorization for Temporary Stay (MKV) and KV Entry Visa	$150	90 days	—	—	5 years	Study: Long-stay route can underpin study once a residence permit is granted. Residency after 5 years Family: Spouse and dependent minor children who are part of the family may be included or apply on the same basis.
Sweden Sweden EU Long-Term Resident Status	SEK 1,000	240 days	—	—	—	Work: Unrestricted right to work; near-equal treatment with nationals. Study: Unrestricted right to study. Residency: Granted together with a permanent residence permit if not already held.
Tajikistan Tajikistan Immigrant Visa (Pre-Residence)	—	30 days	—	—	—	Residency: Designed to bridge to a residence permit; converts to residence within Tajikistan.
Thailand Thailand Privilege Visa (formerly Thailand Elite)	—	60 days	—	365 days	—	—
Togo Togo Ordinary Residence Card (3 Years)	F CFA 500,000	37 days	—	—	—	Work: Residence for work or business; salaried roles still rely on a valid labour authorisation. Study: Education permitted under lawful residence. Residency: Renewable; precedes the privileged long-term card. Family: Family members hold their own residence cards.
Tunisia Tunisia Temporary Residence Card	—	90 days	—	—	5 years	Residency after 5 years
Türkiye Turkey Long-Term Residence Permit	TRY 964	—	—	—	—	—
Ukraine Ukraine Temporary Residence Permit	—	15 days	—	—	—	Work: Work rights depend on the underlying ground (e.g. employment permit); the permit itself legalises residence. Study: Education permitted under lawful residence. Residency: Renewable annually; sustained lawful residence supports a later immigration (permanent) permit. No fixed universal year count.
Uruguay Uruguay Temporary Legal Residence - MERCOSUR Nationals	UYU 3,539	—	—	—	3 years	Work: Full right to work in any lawful activity, equal to nationals. Study: Full access to study. Residency after 3 years Family: Family members may apply under the same agreement.
Uzbekistan Uzbekistan Temporary Residence Permit	—	30 days	—	—	—	—
Zambia Zambia Temporary Permit	ZMW 24,240	—	—	—	—	—
Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Residence Permit	$500	—	—	—	5 years	Work: Work rights depend on the residence category (employment/investor permitted). Study: Residence permitted; enrolled study uses a student/scholars permit. Residency after 5 years Family: Dependants added at USD 300 each with supporting certificates.

Sort by any column. Fees are shown in each program's own currency and are government fees only. Blank cells (—) mean we haven't verified that fact — never that it is zero. “PR in” is a statutory minimum and may vary.