Permanent Residence Abroad
Permanent residence means the right to live in a country indefinitely, work for anyone, bring your family, and in time apply for citizenship. Five countries offer Indians a defined route to it. They choose people in very different ways, and the one that suits you depends on your age, occupation, language and whether you have a job offer.
Destinations
Choose a country.
- Five countries compared
- Which is realistic for you?
- What PR costs
- What every route requires
- Questions people ask us most
Five countries compared
| Country | How it selects | Job offer needed | Time to PR | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | Points and targeted draws | No | PR on arrival | Health workers, tradespeople, French speakers, provincial nominees |
| Australia | Points test and state nomination | No | PR on arrival for the 189 and 190 | Under-45s in trades, health, teaching and engineering |
| Germany | Qualification, job and salary. No points for most routes | Yes, or a job search visa | 21 months to 3 years after starting work | Engineers, IT, health workers, trained tradespeople |
| New Zealand | Skilled job in the country, then points or experience | Yes | After 18 months to 2 years of work, or immediately for some listed occupations | Green List occupations and tradespeople |
| UK | Sponsored job, then settlement by length of residence | Yes | 5 years at present | Graduates in well-paid roles and health professionals |
Which is realistic for you?
| Your profile | Look first at |
|---|---|
| Nurse or allied health professional | Canada healthcare draws, Australia, UK Health and Care visa, Germany |
| Electrician, plumber, welder, carpenter | Australia, Canada trades draws, New Zealand trades pathway, Germany |
| IT professional with a degree | Germany EU Blue Card or Opportunity Card. Canada only with French or a nomination |
| Engineer | Australia, Germany, Canada with a provincial nomination |
| Aged 40 to 44 | Germany and employer-sponsored routes, where age matters less |
| Aged 45 or over | Germany and the UK through a job offer. Points-tested routes are closed |
| No degree, with vocational training | Germany, Australia and New Zealand trades routes |
What PR costs
Every route involves a language test, an assessment of your qualifications, government fees, medicals and police certificates. Canada also asks you to show settlement funds, and Germany’s job search visa requires a blocked account. Each country page gives the current figures.
What every route requires
- A language test result, valid on the day you apply
- Qualifications assessed or recognised by the destination country
- Experience letters that state your duties, dates, hours and pay
- A clean record and a medical examination
- Honesty. A false document in one application follows you to every country
Questions people ask us most
Which country gives PR fastest?
Canada and Australia grant it on arrival, once you are invited. Germany grants it after you have worked there.
Can I apply to two countries at once?
Yes. Many people do, where the tests and documents overlap.
Do I lose Indian citizenship with PR?
No. PR is residence, not citizenship. You keep your Indian passport.
Want advice for your profile?
Tell us your occupation, age and target country. A specialist checks your options before you spend anything.