Permanent residence

Permanent residence: quick answers

Who is eligible for a permanent residence visa? People who have held a qualifying temporary visa for the required years (typically three to five), kept to its conditions, meet the points or residence test, and pass character, health and language requirements. Time on some visas does not count, so check the route first.

How much does a permanent residence visa cost? ₹20 to ₹2.02 crore all-in across 52 destinations, government fee plus Vistolane filing fee. Cheapest in the set: Malaysia at ₹20; Saudi Arabia is the most expensive at ₹2.02 crore. Government fees are charged at the official rate.

How long does a permanent residence visa take? From Same day once filed (Thailand) to 4–9 weeks (Ireland) once the file is complete. E-visas decide fastest; sticker visas add a biometrics appointment and embassy visas add interview wait. Vistolane shows the document deadline and filing date before you pay.

Overview

Permanent residence is either points-tested from outside the country (Canada Express Entry, Australia 189/190/491, New Zealand Skilled Migrant) or earned after years on a temporary visa (UK indefinite leave to remain after five years, US green card via employment or family). Points systems reward age under 35, a master's degree, strong English and skilled work experience.

Because draws and thresholds move monthly, Vistolane's eligibility check estimates your CRS or points band and shows the recent invitation rounds you would have cleared.

Who this route suits

Skilled professionals aged roughly 25 to 40 with a degree, three or more years of experience in a listed occupation and a strong English score (IELTS 7+ or the CLB 9 equivalent) who want to move permanently rather than on a temporary permit. It fits Canada Express Entry and provincial nominations, Australia's 189/190/491 points visas and New Zealand's Skilled Migrant category for applicants from outside the country, and the UK's indefinite leave to remain or the US green card for those already resident on a qualifying visa for five years. Points draws also reward Indian applicants with a spouse who scores well, a provincial job offer or Canadian or Australian study.

The route is weaker for applicants over 45, with no recognised assessment of their qualification, or whose occupation has fallen off the current list; for them a study or work permit first is the realistic path to settlement.

Does this route fit you? Three questions:

• Are you under 45 with a degree and at least three years' experience in an occupation on the destination's skilled list? If not: Employer sponsorship does not use points; a sponsored work visa can lead to residence later.
• Do you have a recent English test at the required band, IELTS 7 or CLB 9 for competitive draws, or time to prepare for one? If not: Language scores move points more than anything else; the check shows the band your profile needs.
• Can you commit to a 12 to 24 month process, with a skills assessment and several thousand dollars in fees, before you move? If not: A sponsored work visa gets you into the country faster and counts towards residence in most destinations.

How the process works

1. Score yourself. Age, education, language, experience and a job offer or nomination map to a points total.
2. Enter the pool. Express Entry profile or SkillSelect EOI; state or provincial nominations add points.
3. Invitation and full application. Medicals, police certificates, proof of funds and biometrics within the 60–90 day window.
4. Land and keep status. Residency obligations (730 days in five years for Canada) and renewals until citizenship.

Why applications get refused

• Educational credential assessment not completed before the invitation
• Language test expired by the time of the full application
• Work experience that does not match the claimed occupation code
• Proof of settlement funds below the threshold for the family size

Verified permanent residence route pages, by country

7 permanent residence routes across 7 countries, each written from the issuing authority's own pages with the government fee, the published processing window, the document checklist and the refusal reasons, and dated when it was last re-read.

Questions, answered