Long-Term Residence Permits allow professionals, entrepreneurs, and families to relocate to a new country through dedicated immigration programmes. In 2026, 9 countries offer at least one long-term residence visa pathway in our database, each with different income thresholds, processing timelines, and paths to permanent residency.
This page compares every long-term residence visa programme we track, sorted by difficulty score (1 = easiest, 10 = hardest). Use the table below to quickly identify which countries match your budget, timeline, and long-term goals. Click any country name to see its full immigration profile.
Country Comparison Table
| # | Country | Programme | Income Req. | Processing | Difficulty | PR Path | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dominican Republic | Retirement/Pensioner Residence | €1,400/mo | 30–180 days | 4.5/10 | 1 yr | Yes |
| 2 | Costa Rica | Pensionado Visa | €2,756/mo | 15–30 days | 4.5/10 | 3 yr | Yes |
| 3 | Cambodia | Retirement Visa (ER) | €700/mo | 30–30 days | 4.7/10 | 5 yr | Yes |
| 4 | Myanmar | Stay Permit + Multiple Re-entry Visa | — | 7–14 days | 5.0/10 | — | No |
| 5 | Cyprus | Autonomous Visitor Permit | €797/mo | 28–42 days | 5.2/10 | 5 yr | Yes |
| 6 | Peru | Rentista Visa | €921/mo | 30–90 days | 5.2/10 | 3 yr | Yes |
| 7 | Ecuador | Pensioner/Retirement Visa | €1,330/mo | 60–120 days | 6.0/10 | 2 yr | Yes |
| 8 | Mauritius | Family Occupation Permit (FOP) | — | 90–180 days | 8.0/10 | 5 yr | Yes |
| 9 | Saudi Arabia | Premium Residency — Limited Duration (Annual) | €32,000/mo | 28–56 days | 8.7/10 | — | Yes |
Get Your Personalised Emigration Report
Find out which long-term residence visa is the best fit for your profile, budget, and timeline.
Get Full Report — €10All Long-Term Residence Permits by Country
Cambodia (1 programme)
- Retirement Visa (ER) — Retirement Visa (ER) for Cambodia.
Costa Rica (4 programmes)
- Pensionado Visa — One-year renewable visa for remote workers earning from foreign sources, with tax exemptions but no local work rights.
- Pensionado (Retiree Visa) — Retirement visa for pensioners with guaranteed lifetime income providing pathway to permanent residency but no work rights.
- Rentista (Fixed Income Visa) — Fixed income visa for financially independent individuals with $2500 monthly income or $60,000 bank deposit, leading to permanent residency.
- Rentista Visa — Investment-based temporary residency requiring minimum $150,000 investment in real estate or business with path to permanent residency.
Cyprus (1 programme)
- Autonomous Visitor Permit — Autonomous Visitor Permit for Cyprus.
Dominican Republic (1 programme)
- Retirement/Pensioner Residence — Retirement/Pensioner Residence for Dominican Republic.
Ecuador (1 programme)
- Pensioner/Retirement Visa — Pensioner/Retirement Visa for Ecuador.
Mauritius (1 programme)
- Family Occupation Permit (FOP) — Family Occupation Permit. USD 250,000 contribution. 10 years. Both spouses can work/invest. Covers children, parents, household staff.
Myanmar (1 programme)
- Stay Permit + Multiple Re-entry Visa — Stay Permit + Multiple Re-entry Visa for Myanmar.
Peru (1 programme)
- Rentista Visa — Rentista Visa for Peru.
Saudi Arabia (1 programme)
- Premium Residency — Limited Duration (Annual) — Premium Residency annual track. SAR 100,000/year non-refundable fee. SAR 10,000-14,000/month income. 0% income tax.
Long-Term Residence Visas by Country
Frequently Asked Questions
How many countries offer long-term residence visas in 2026?
As of 2026, 9 countries in our database offer at least one long-term residence visa pathway. Requirements, processing times, and costs vary significantly between countries.
Which country has the easiest long-term residence visa to obtain?
Based on our difficulty scoring, Dominican Republic currently offers one of the most accessible long-term residence visa pathways, though eligibility still depends on your individual circumstances.
What are the typical requirements for long-term residence visas?
Common requirements include proof of income or savings, health insurance, a clean criminal record, and passport validity. Specific thresholds (income, education, experience) vary by country and programme.
Can I bring my family on a long-term residence visa?
Many long-term residence visa programmes allow family accompaniment (spouse and dependent children). Some also grant work rights to spouses. Check the family column in our comparison table above.
How long does it take to get permanent residency through a long-term residence visa?
The path to permanent residency ranges from 2 to 10 years depending on the country. Some long-term residence visa programmes offer faster PR tracks than others — see the PR Path column in our table.
Explore by Region
- Europe Immigration Guide 2026
- Asia Immigration Guide 2026
- Americas Immigration Guide 2026
- Middle East Immigration Guide 2026
- Oceania Immigration Guide 2026
- Africa Immigration Guide 2026
See also: All Pathways by Country · Compare Countries Side by Side · Immigration Glossary
Data sourced from official government immigration portals, verified March 2026. Requirements change frequently — always confirm with the relevant embassy or immigration authority before applying.