Permanent residency pathways — by country

Standard route: 5 years of legal residence + B1 German + financial self-sufficiency + 60 months of pension contributions. EU Blue Card holders can apply after 27 months (or 21 months with B1 German). Ausbildung graduates qualify after 2 years of skilled employment post-training. The Niederlassungserlaubnis is a settlement permit with no expiry — citizenship is a separate decision after 5–8 years.

Canada uses a points-based Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Typical levers: language scores (CLB 9+), education (Master's/PhD), Canadian work experience, and a Provincial Nomination (adds 600 points and is effectively a guarantee). Post-graduation work permits give 1–3 years to gain that Canadian experience. From eligibility to PR: usually 18–36 months.

Five years of qualifying visa time (Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Innovator Founder) + Life in the UK test + English requirement + absences within limits. Student visa years generally don't count, but the post-study Graduate Route gives 2 years (3 for PhD) to switch into a qualifying visa.

Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) is purely points-based — no employer needed. Subclass 190 / 491 are state-nominated alternatives with lower point thresholds. Employer-sponsored 482 → 186 is faster if your employer is on the approved list. Most successful applicants arrive on a student visa, switch to 485 post-study work visa for 2–4 years, then apply for PR.