Immigration and Long-Stay Visa
Define the purpose of your stay, choose the appropriate pathway and prepare a well-organized application, with an alternative ready in advance.
Service description
Support with applying for a status that allows a long-term move. Based on employment, entrepreneurship, studies, family or another pathway available in the destination country. Including management of documents, deadlines and interdependencies involving family members.
Immigration and Long-Stay Visa shaped around your journey
Why is this service needed?
An application for long-term status is assessed against precise document requirements, deadlines and eligibility criteria. A missing document, an uncertified translation or a pathway that does not match the purpose of the stay may delay the entire move and sometimes also affect family members’ status.
Who is this service for?
Individuals and families planning a prolonged or permanent move for whom a short-stay visitor visa is not sufficient.
What value does this service provide?
A complete, well-organized application from the first submission, an alternative pathway prepared in advance, and coordination between visa requirements and the timeline for the move, housing, education and shipping. Submission and legal advice are handled with an authorized professional in the destination country.
What this service includes
Eligibility Assessment and Pathway Selection
Review of available pathways based on citizenship, profession, employer and purpose of stay.
Document Checklist and Preparation
A checklist tailored to the destination and pathway, including translation, apostille and authentication as needed.
Forms, Fees and Submission
Support with completing forms and paying fees, in coordination with the authorized professional.
Interview Preparation
Preparation for an interview at the consulate or immigration authority, when required.
Follow-Up Until a Decision
Monitoring the application’s status and providing regular updates until the authority issues a decision.
Planning for Family Members
Review of the status of the spouse or partner and children, including the right to work and study.
Tip from Ocean
A Tip from Ocean Check the validity of each family member’s passport before submitting the application. Many countries require a minimum remaining validity when a visa application is submitted, and a long-stay visa is sometimes affixed to the passport itself. Replacing a passport midway through the process may complicate it.
What to know before getting started
Does a long-stay visa immediately grant permanent residence?
Not necessarily. Sometimes it is a temporary step toward another status, subject to conditions and renewals.
How long does the process take?
There is no standard timeframe; it depends on the country, the pathway, the completeness of the documents and the authority’s workload.
Can flights be booked before approval?
It is advisable to avoid non-cancellable commitments until there is sufficient certainty.
What is the difference between a visa, a residence permit and permanent residence?
A visa generally allows entry into a country. A residence permit regulates residence there for a defined period and under certain conditions. Permanent residence is a more stable status, which in many countries can only be applied for after a period of lawful, continuous residence. Terminology and conditions vary from country to country.
I have European citizenship. Do I need a visa?
European Union citizens are generally allowed to live and work in EU countries without a visa, but a prolonged stay usually requires local registration. Family members who are not EU citizens may need a separate procedure to establish their status.
What sets us apart
Ocean's Journey Manager
- One central address for every need
- A holistic view connecting tax, immigration and education
- Your Journey Manager is your Waze throughout the process
- Full transparency: timeline, costs and status in real time
- Strategy
- Objectivity
- Peace of mind
The traditional model
- Nobody sees the full picture
- Dozens of separate vendors: lawyers, brokers, clerks
- Patchwork point solutions that create gaps
- Stress, pressure and costly mistakes
Experience you can rely on
Partnerships & certifications
