Types of Residency

If you’re retiring or pursuing work in another country for a different reason, you probably have a ton of questions. If travel in itself weren’t confusing enough, you’re now left dealing with issues of citizenship, residency, whether or not you can work, etc. It’s certainly a complicated situation, and one that you’ll want to go into with a wealth of knowledge.

People move abroad for a wealth of reasons–military, study, other forms of education, travel experiences, expatriatism, etc. While there are a ton of ways to leave the country, things get a bit more complicated once you’re on the ground.As you begin your search for residency or non-residency, it will be important to determine what category you fall into (or want to fall into).

Are you a…

Tourist

If you’re simply visiting another country for a short period of time, you’re probably a tourist. While you may required to obtain a visa, you’re visiting with the intention of leaving. In many places, a stay over three days means that you’ll be required to get a visa, which should last for several months. Read your visa carefully to determine the exact amount of time you’re allowed to stay in the country.

Temporary Resident

If you’re a temporary resident, you plan on staying in a country for awhile, though not forever. You’ll still need a visa, but it will likely allow you to be in a particular country for a little bit longer. You can get student visas and work visas that explain your temporary residency and make it easier for you to travel to and from the country where you’ll be (temporarily) staying.

Permanent Resident

If you like a country enough to try and live in it for a few years, you’re looking to be a permanent resident. To gain this type of residency, you’ll need to either marry a citizen of the country or reside in that country (legally) for a few years as a temporary resident. In many countries, permanent residents receive tax breaks, making it a very appealing option.

Still, some people do not wish to obtain permanent residency and work to avoid it. If this sounds like you, we recommend that you avoid spending more than six months of every year in the country where you’re  trying to not become a resident. By dividing your time, you can avoid the legal obligations of citizenship.

Dual National

Some people choose to maintain or seek residency in more than one country or state. While this can provide some nice benefits, it can also backfire–making the individual pay taxes in more than one place. It can also be difficult to obtain.

There is all kinds of reasoning for wishing to be all sorts of residents or nonresidents of a particular place–it is all about determining what is right for you and your situation. As with anything, a lot of reading will help you prepare to make your decision. Approach it with an open mind, but seek out all the education you can.