Okuzeka
Immigration & Visas vocabulary · Residence & Legal Status

Permanent residence

Meaning in immigration & visas, with examples

nounCore term

In immigration & visas, permanent residence means: The right to live in a country without a time limit, usually also with the right to work, even though you are not a citizen.

In Turkish: kalıcı oturum, süresiz oturma izni, daimi ikamet

How it is used

Names vary: permanent residency, settlement, indefinite leave to remain in the UK, or a green card in the US. It usually comes after several years of legal residence and can be lost after long absences. Permanent residents are often called PRs.

Example sentences

  1. After five years on a work visa, he applied for permanent residence.

  2. Permanent residence gives you many of a citizen's rights, but usually not a passport.

Common collocations

  • apply for permanent residence
  • permanent residency
  • permanent resident
  • indefinite leave to remain
  • settlement
  • residence permitAn official document that allows a foreign citizen to live in a country for a set period, usually longer than a tourist visit.
  • green cardThe common name for the card that shows a person is a lawful permanent resident of the United States.
  • citizenshipThe legal status of being a full member of a country, with rights such as voting and holding its passport, and duties such as obeying its laws.
  • naturalisationThe legal process by which a foreign citizen becomes a citizen of the country where they live, usually after several years of residence.
  • immigration statusYour legal position in a country as a non-citizen, which decides how long you can stay and whether you can work, study or use public services.

More terms: Residence & Legal Status

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.