Visa category guide
Permanent residence (PR) gives you the right to live and work in a country without a time limit, though you remain a citizen of India. You reach it either directly through a PR programme, or after years on a work, family or investor visa.
By Krosz Editorial Team · Reviewed by Krosz Visa Operations · Updated 2026-10-13
Typical stay
Indefinite, with residency rules
Work allowed?
Yes, any employer
Main gate
Points system or years of lawful stay
Next step
Citizenship, where allowed
Overview
Some countries let you apply for PR directly from India. Canada’s Express Entry and Australia’s skilled independent routes are well-known points-based examples where age, education, experience and language decide your rank.
Others treat PR as the end of a journey: you live there lawfully on a work, family or investor visa for a set number of years, then apply to settle. The UK’s Indefinite Leave to Remain and US green cards through employment or family follow this model.
PR usually comes with conditions — minimum time spent in the country, no long absences, and sometimes a language or life-in-the-country test. India does not allow dual citizenship, so if you later naturalise abroad you would give up your Indian passport, often taking OCI status instead.
At a glance
Dark marker = this category. Light dots = the other 11 categories. Positions are a typical, qualitative comparison and vary by country.
Visas in this category
Open any guide for permitted activities, full documents, process steps, refusal reasons and FAQs.
Permanent Residence Visa
Long-term settled residence in a country.
Read guideSkilled Worker Visa
Working abroad in a skilled role that meets the destination's eligibility criteria.
Read guideSpouse / Partner Visa
Joining a settled spouse or recognised partner in their country of residence.
Read guideInvestor Visa
Obtaining residence by making a qualifying capital investment in the country.
Read guideFlowchart
The general path most applications in this category follow. Exact steps differ by country.
Do you already hold a long-term visa in the country?
Yes
Check your settlement eligibility
No
Look at direct points-based PR
Choose direct or earned PR
Points-based PR from abroad, or settlement after a visa.
Build your profile
Language score, credential assessment, work experience.
Get invited or become eligible
Points draw invitation, or qualifying years completed.
Submit full evidence
Identity, history, funds, PCC and medicals.
Keep PR valid
Meet residency rules to renew or move to citizenship.
Compare
| Visa | Best for | How you usually apply |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent Residence Visa | People who have met a qualifying period and conditions on a temporary visa. | Application from within the country with residence, integration and support evidence. |
| Skilled Worker Visa | Professionals with qualifications, experience and a sponsored job offer in an eligible occupation. | Sponsor-led application with evidence of skills, salary and the eligible role. |
| Spouse / Partner Visa | Husbands, wives and sometimes unmarried partners of a citizen or resident. | Sponsored application with marriage/relationship proof and sponsor support evidence. |
| Investor Visa | High-net-worth individuals willing to invest the required amount and meet source-of-funds rules. | Embassy or in-country residence application with detailed investment and source-of-funds evidence. |
A Krosz visa expert can match your trip to the right category and checklist.
Documents
A starting checklist for this category. Your destination and visa type decide the final list.
Passport & ID
Current and previous passports.
Language test
Score at the programme’s level.
Credential assessment
Foreign degree evaluation where required.
Work history
Experience letters, payslips, tax records.
Settlement funds
Proof of funds where the programme requires it.
PCC & medicals
From every country lived in for the required period.
Avoid refusals
For Indian passport holders
FAQ
Tell us where you're travelling and our visa experts will guide you on the right visa and documents.
Explore
Travel & visitor visas
Holidays, short stays and visiting family
Business visitor visas
Meetings, conferences and business trips
Work & skilled visas
Employment, sponsorship and skilled work
Nursing & care pathways
Named routes for nurses and care workers
Student & exchange visas
University, school and exchange programmes
Family & partner visas
Partners, spouses and eligible relatives
Investor & founder programs
Investment, startups and business ownership
Transit visas
Travel through a country en route elsewhere
Digital nomad & remote work
Work online while living abroad
Protection & humanitarian
Humanitarian and protection pathways
Other named pathways
Specific roles and circumstances
Krosz is a private visa & travel assistance service — not a government website, agency or embassy. Visas are granted solely by the relevant government authorities.
Krosz is a private visa assistance platform and is not affiliated with any government or embassy. Visa decisions are made by the relevant authorities. Rules change — confirm the current requirements for your destination before applying. Last reviewed: 2026-10-13.
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