Several foreign students desire to remain in the nation where they study, driven by ambitions of stability, better occupational opportunities, and an increased quality of life. While living after graduation can be difficult in most locations, many European nations provide an easier transition from student visas to permanent residency.
Below are some European nations where foreign students can easily get permanent residency:
France
France is going ahead to entice foreign students with its top-notch institutions and developing prospects for world skills. After studies, students can make an application for a temporary residence permit (APS), which permits them to remain for a period of 2 years to seek employment or begin a business.
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This duration provides a springboard to permanent residency, mostly for people discovering a quality job or getting a long-term work permit.
Germany
Germany’s combination of tuition-free studies and a strong economy makes it a top option for students planning to remain for the long term. After studies, students can apply for an 18-month Job Seeker Visa to discover employment applicable to their programs.
Once hired, they can change to a work visa or apply for the EU Blue Card, Germany’s fast-track pathway to permanent residency for experienced experts. With a steady job and language skills, Permanent residence can be awarded in as little as 33 months or 21 months for people with solid German experience.
United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, graduates can remain and get employed for 24 months or 36 months for PhD holders under the Graduate Route Visa. This post-study work permit does not need employer support, providing graduates with the opportunity to obtain skills or get a position that is eligible for the Skilled Worker Visa, which is a major step toward residency.
With a continued job, foreign graduates can finally make an application for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
Norway
Norway provides one of the simplest routes to permanent residency. After concluding a program, foreign students can apply for a residence permit extension to find employment. Once hired, they can get a work permit and start compiling time toward permanent residency.
Norway requires 36 months of steady lawful residence to apply for permanent residency. Candidates are required to indicate financial independence, pass Norwegian language exams, and maintain a clean criminal history.
Ireland
Ireland provides a transparent four-stage route to permanent residency:
- Complete undergraduate or postgraduate programs using a student visa
- Transition to the Third Level Graduate Programme permits graduates to operate full-time for 12 to 24 months without a work permit.
- Get a long-term job and make an application for one of the following:
- General job permit
- Critical skills employment permit
- After five years of working and settling lawfully in Ireland, make an application for permanent residency.
Ireland’s thriving tech and finance industries make it an enticing location for foreign graduates.
Finland
Finland is growing in fame among foreign students, mainly in areas such as technology, innovation, and science. After studies, students can apply for a residence permit to stay for up to 24 months while looking for work or starting a business.
Once hired, they can apply for a work-based residence permit. After four years of steady residence and adherence to conditions like language proficiency and financial stability, graduates can apply for permanent residency.
