Rezidencë

Rezidencë refers to the status of living in a country other than one's own under a formal authorization, usually in the form of a residence permit or visa. It establishes lawful stay for a defined period and may confer the right to work, study, or access social services, depending on the terms of the permit and national law.

Many countries distinguish between temporary and permanent residence. Temporary residency is typically granted for work, study, family reunification, or humanitarian reasons and is time-limited. Permanent residency or long-term resident status, often after a minimum period of legal residence, provides longer or indefinite stay and broader rights, including work in many cases and path to citizenship in some jurisdictions.

Residency should be distinguished from citizenship: residence permits confer permission to stay, not citizenship or voting rights. They also differ from visas, which are often short-term entry documents; many visas can lead to residency with separate applications.

Some countries offer residency by investment or other incentives, granting rights to reside in exchange for capital or job creation. In recent years, digital forms such as e-residency provide a legal framework to conduct business online without physical residence, though it does not automatically grant residence rights.

Beyond legal status, the term rezidencë is also used in cultural contexts to describe artist-in-residence programs or academic residencies, where individuals are invited to live and work in a host environment for a set period to pursue projects.

Procedures for obtaining residence typically involve submitting an application to the national immigration authority, providing identity documents, proof of finances, health insurance, and sometimes background checks, and paying applicable fees. Status may be subject to renewal and compliance with conditions.