Permanent residency is a legal status that allows an individual to live and work in a country indefinitely. It is often granted to foreign nationals who meet specific criteria, such as having a job offer, family connections, or refugee status. Permanent residents enjoy many of the same rights as citizens, but they do not have the right to vote in elections. To obtain permanent residency, applicants typically must go through a formal application process, which may include background checks and interviews. Once granted, permanent residency can lead to citizenship after fulfilling additional requirements, such as residency duration and language proficiency.