Understanding Citizenship Vs Residency Programs for Immigration

Citizenship vs residency are two important pathways for immigration process and it is good to choose the one at an earlier stage that suits best to personal goals. Though both are for immigration, but differ in many aspects. Citizenship includes all privileges, benefits, umbrella protections and responsibilities equivalent to all citizens of a country. Residency on the other hand, is a way to become a legal resident with the right to live, work, study and limited travel mobility. Residency, if even permanent, didn’t bound people to follow some laws like mandatory military services for citizens.
Under normal circumstances, citizenship by naturalization laws require a residency around 3 to 10 years and meeting all the requirements. However, citizenship by investment programs bypass the long residency requirements and grant citizenship to investors in 3 to 6 months only. Countries offering direct citizenship through investment require a certain investment in their country and honor investors with their citizenship entitlement.

Under normal circumstances, citizenship by naturalization laws require a residency around 3 to 10 years and meeting all the requirements. However, citizenship by investment programs bypass the long residency requirements and grant citizenship to investors in 3 to 6 months only. Countries offering direct citizenship through investment require a certain investment in their country and honor investors with their citizenship entitlement.

Residency Card vs Passport after Citizenship

A major difference between residency vs citizenship is the travel document, i.e. residency of a country is identified by the residence card while citizens of a country hold the passport of that country. So, you still hold the passport of your home country and benefit from visa free travel to countries allowed on residency cards only.

Residency Categories

Residency programs are meant for immigration purposes and include residency by investment and residency for people with valid work permits or for other purposes. Residency could be either temporary or permanent.

Difference between Temporary Residency and Permanent Residency

Residency is further classified as TRP or PR, temporary residency also known as TRP. Temporary residency permit is for a limited time, i.e. 1/2 year and allow to live, study, work or for use for tourism. PR or Permanent Residency offers a long-term residency right and leads to citizenship of that country.

Difference between Residency and Golden Visa Programs

Golden visa programs is another type of residency option that is meant for high net worth individuals and offer multitude of benefits, i.e. residency, opportunity to invest in the economy of a developed country, integrate in the economy and enjoy the high class flavor of life. The residency for Golden Visa investors is specially designed to attract FDI from wealthy investors. Golden Visa programs are pathways to citizenship with exception to UAE residency by investment.

Benefits of Golden Visa or Residency by Investment

The residency by investment or Golden Visa Program grants the following powers to investors:

  • Live in the Country
  • Do Business
  • Buy Property
  • Move Freely
  • Full-Time Work
  • Access to Social and Legal Services
  • Opportunity for Family Migration
  • Business Expansion
  • Tax Exemption
  • Easy Visa approvals to other countries
  • Free Education for Kids
  • A Path to Citizenship