Permanent residence

Who this is for

For people who meet one of the statutory grounds for permanent residence.

Key conditions

• Legal stay at filing where required by law
• An appropriate and genuine basis for the application
• Complete form, attachments, signatures and fees
• Current evidence supporting the stated circumstances

Documents to review

• Valid travel document and required copies
• Current photographs, application form and proof of fee
• Evidence of the purpose of stay or employment
• Income, insurance or accommodation documents where relevant

How the process works

1. Review the legal basis and deadlines
2. Prepare and check the document list
3. Prepare and file the application
4. Respond to authority correspondence
5. Decision and follow-up duties

Common mistakes

• Incorrect legal basis or application form
• Missing signature, fee or current attachment
• Inconsistent details across documents
• Missing the deadline in an authority request

Timing

Duration depends on the procedure, completeness of the file and the authority's workload. Procedural deadlines run from valid service or filing; the instructions in the specific case must always be checked.

Additional requirements

Permanent residence differs from EU long-term resident status. Prior residence and B1 proof are not required for every ground.

Questions and answers