Access to citizenship
Usually permanent residents may apply for citizenship by naturalisation after a period of residency in the country concerned. Dual citizenship may or may not be permitted.
In many nations an application for naturalisation can be denied on character grounds, sometimes allowing people to reside in the country but not become citizens. In the United States the residency requirements for citizenship are normally five years, even though permanent residents who have been married to a US citizen for three years or more may apply in three years. Those who have served in the armed forces may qualify for an expedited process allowing citizenship after only one year, or even without any residence requirement.[9]
Automatic entitlementFull permanent residence rights are granted automatically between the following:
Ireland and the United Kingdom including general election voting rights.
the states of the Nordic Council
Russian Federation and Republic of Belarus
Proof of permanent residency
People who are granted permanent residency in a country are usually issued some sort of documentary evidence as legal proof of this status. In the past, many countries merely stamped the person's passport indicating that the holder was admitted as a permanent resident or that he/she was exempt from immigration control and permitted to work without restriction. Other countries would issue a photo ID card, place a visa sticker or certificate of residence in the person's passport, or issue a letter to confirm their permanent resident status.
In Australia and New Zealand, a printout of permanent residence visa or resident visa is stuck to a page of the permanent resident's passport.
In Canada, permanent residents are issued a photo ID card known as PR Card or Maple Leaf Card.
In Germany, resident permits (Aufenthaltstitel) have been issued as photo ID cards since 1 September 2011. Prior to that date, residence permits were stickers (similar to visas) which were affixed to the resident's passport.
In Hong Kong, permanent residents are issued a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card.
In Macau, permanent residents are issued a Macao Permanent Resident Identity Card (Bilhete de Identidade de Residente Permanente).
In Malaysia, permanent residents are issued with a MyPR card similar to the MyKad issued to Malaysian citizens, the difference being the colour (red instead of blue) and additional information stating the cardholder's country of origin.
In Singapore, permanent residents are issued a blue identity card with their photograph, thumb print and other personal particulars similar to citizen's pink identity card
In South Africa, permanent residents have their passport endorsed, are issued a certificate and a standard national identity book showing "NIE S.A.BURGER/NON S.A.CITIZEN".
In Slovakia, permanent residents are issued a red photo ID
In Switzerland, permanent residents are issued a yellow ID.
In Taiwan, permanent residents are issued a blue photo ID card (APRC). A separate open work permit can also be issued to permanent residents allowing them to accept employment in any non-governmental positions for which they are qualified.
In the United States, permanent residents are issued a photo ID card - officially known as a Permanent Resident Card, but unofficially referred to as a "green card".
In the United Kingdom, an Indefinite Leave to Remain sticker is on applicant's passport.
Usually permanent residents may apply for citizenship by naturalisation after a period of residency in the country concerned. Dual citizenship may or may not be permitted.
In many nations an application for naturalisation can be denied on character grounds, sometimes allowing people to reside in the country but not become citizens. In the United States the residency requirements for citizenship are normally five years, even though permanent residents who have been married to a US citizen for three years or more may apply in three years. Those who have served in the armed forces may qualify for an expedited process allowing citizenship after only one year, or even without any residence requirement.[9]
Automatic entitlementFull permanent residence rights are granted automatically between the following:
Ireland and the United Kingdom including general election voting rights.
the states of the Nordic Council
Russian Federation and Republic of Belarus
Proof of permanent residency
People who are granted permanent residency in a country are usually issued some sort of documentary evidence as legal proof of this status. In the past, many countries merely stamped the person's passport indicating that the holder was admitted as a permanent resident or that he/she was exempt from immigration control and permitted to work without restriction. Other countries would issue a photo ID card, place a visa sticker or certificate of residence in the person's passport, or issue a letter to confirm their permanent resident status.
In Australia and New Zealand, a printout of permanent residence visa or resident visa is stuck to a page of the permanent resident's passport.
In Canada, permanent residents are issued a photo ID card known as PR Card or Maple Leaf Card.
In Germany, resident permits (Aufenthaltstitel) have been issued as photo ID cards since 1 September 2011. Prior to that date, residence permits were stickers (similar to visas) which were affixed to the resident's passport.
In Hong Kong, permanent residents are issued a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card.
In Macau, permanent residents are issued a Macao Permanent Resident Identity Card (Bilhete de Identidade de Residente Permanente).
In Malaysia, permanent residents are issued with a MyPR card similar to the MyKad issued to Malaysian citizens, the difference being the colour (red instead of blue) and additional information stating the cardholder's country of origin.
In Singapore, permanent residents are issued a blue identity card with their photograph, thumb print and other personal particulars similar to citizen's pink identity card
In South Africa, permanent residents have their passport endorsed, are issued a certificate and a standard national identity book showing "NIE S.A.BURGER/NON S.A.CITIZEN".
In Slovakia, permanent residents are issued a red photo ID
In Switzerland, permanent residents are issued a yellow ID.
In Taiwan, permanent residents are issued a blue photo ID card (APRC). A separate open work permit can also be issued to permanent residents allowing them to accept employment in any non-governmental positions for which they are qualified.
In the United States, permanent residents are issued a photo ID card - officially known as a Permanent Resident Card, but unofficially referred to as a "green card".
In the United Kingdom, an Indefinite Leave to Remain sticker is on applicant's passport.
