Permanent residency refers to a person’s resident status in a country of which they are not a citizen. This is usually for an indefinite period; a person with such status is known as a permanent resident.

Permanent residency itself is distinct from right of abode, which waives immigration control for such persons. Persons having permanent residency still require immigration control if they do not have the right of abode. However, a right of abode automatically grants people permanent residency. This status also gives permission to work in most cases.