Permanent residency is a visa status that allows legal residence in the host country without being a citizen of that country. Permanent residents have the right to live, work, go to school and access health care in the host country.
To be eligible to apply for permanent resident status in a particular country, people usually must meet certain requirements, such as having work experience in the country, having studied in the country, and speaking the language. Since 1986, investment has been another way to obtain permanent residence. PR status can also lead to citizenship by naturalization provided the resident has lived in the country for a certain number of years.