If you are looking to move from one country to anther, whether temporarily or on a more permanent basis, you need to understand the difference between a visa and a permanent residency. While a visa is needed for a temporary stay or when you are moving for a particular reason, a residency permit allows you to stay for an extended or even an indefinite period of time.
In this article, we will capture the key differences between a visa and residency, their uses, and how you can qualify for the document you need.
What is a Visa?
A visa is a document that grants a foreign citizen entry into another country. The document is issued by the government of a particular country to people seeking permission to enter its country.
The visa identifies why you are entering a particular country, the length of stay in the country, as well as the number of times the visa holder is allowed to enter the country.
Types of visa
There are different types of visas but the key ones include the following:
- Student Visa: The study visa is given to students who wish to study in a foreign country. It most runs until the completion of their studies and in some cases, it can be extended.
- Business Visa: This visa is offered to people who are traveling to a foreign country for business purpose which may include conferences, meetings, or other professional engagements.
- Tourist Visa: This is one of the most popular types of visas, offered to leisure seekers, adventurers, or people who love traveling for the purpose of tourism.
- Work Visa: This visa is available for those who want to work or have gotten jobs in a foreign country. Alongside this visa, you will also need to get a work permit.
- Transit Visa: This is for those who will enter a country as a means of transiting to another country.
- Nomad Visa: This is the type of visa that is available to freelancers and remote worker who want to live in a different country while working for companies or clients outside of their host country.
What is a Residency?
Also referred to a resident permit, this is a document that is offered by a citizen of another country to serve as a permission to stay in the country. The period of stay is mostly extended, and so it is often regarded as a long-stay visa.
Types of residency or resident permit
- Temporary Resident Permit: With thus type of residency, you get to stay in a country for a rather short period of time. While it may be likely longer than a visa, it it shorter than the permanent residency.
- Permanent Resident Permit: This is a permit that allows one to stay in a foreign country for an extended, or in some cases, an indefinite period of time. This permit comes with rights similar to those of the country’s citizens.
Difference between a visa and residency
The requirements for getting a visa and residency varies from country to country and the reason for which either is obtained is different. That said, they have some key differences:
- The purpose of a visa is mostly for entry into a country while for resident permit, it requires a long term stay.
- The Duration of stay for a visa is mostly short term which can mostly span days to moths, except for studies or work. The duration for residency is mostly long term. It can last months to years.
- The issuing authority for a visa is the embassy or consulate in your country whole for residency, it is issued in the local immigration office.
- A visa is obtained before entry into a country while a resident permit is obtained while in have entered the country.
- There is a limit of time to which a visa can be renewed while a permit can be renewed as log as you are able to meet the requirements.
Which You Should Aim For?
Between a visa and a residency, what you should aim for is totally tied to the purpose for which you are getting either document. Nonetheless, to gain the first entry into any country, you either need a visa or a passport.
If you are looking to stay for a short time, all you need to have is a visa. However, if you want an extended stay to either work or establish a permanent residence, a resident permit is what you should aim for.
