Temporary Residence
Reviewed by A legal status allowing a person to stay in a country for a limited, renewable period, often serving as the first step toward permanent residence and citizenship.
Temporary residence is a status that grants a foreign national the right to stay and live in a country for a limited period defined by local law. Unlike permanent status, this type of permit must be renewed periodically and is usually tied to a specific ground: investment, family reunification, study, or other programs offered by the country.
In the context of investment migration, temporary residence is most often obtained through residence-by-investment (RBI) programs and golden visas. The conditions — minimum stay requirements, valid grounds for renewal, and rights to work and travel — vary significantly from country to country and program to program, so specifics should always be verified against the official sources of the chosen jurisdiction.
For many applicants, temporary residence is the initial stage of a multi-year path: after continuous and lawful residence over a required period, the status may be converted into permanent residence, and later into citizenship through naturalization. The required timeframes and physical presence rules depend on the country.
FAQ
How much time must be spent in the country to keep temporary residence?
Most countries set a minimum presence and a maximum period of continuous absence, beyond which renewal can be refused. The exact figures depend on the country and on the ground for which the permit was issued.
Does a temporary residence permit make me a tax resident?
No. Tax residency turns on separate tests — days of presence, centre of vital interests, availability of a permanent home — and does not follow automatically from holding a permit.
Does temporary residence allow work or business activity?
It depends on the ground: some categories open the labour market, others allow only a defined activity, and some carry no work rights at all. The scope is set out in the rules for that particular category.
What happens if the underlying ground disappears — for example, the investment is sold?
Temporary status is tied to its ground, so losing it usually means switching category or the permit coming to an end. Planned changes normally have to be notified to the migration authority.
Does a permit from one country let me live in neighbouring countries of the same bloc?
No. A residence permit grants the right to live in the issuing country; travel within the bloc is possible under short-stay rules, and relocating there requires a separate status.