I am a third-country national
- People outside the EU/EEA/Swiss free-movement regime.
- People with a residence visa or another legal basis for a residence permit.
- Anyone who needs to identify the correct procedure before booking or filing.
3º · route
Your route depends on the legal basis for residence.
In broad terms, a third-country national is someone outside the EU/EEA/Swiss free-movement regime. Within this category there are many routes: work, study, family, CPLP, own income, remote work and others.
Do not mix legal routes
There is no single “legalisation process”. Two nationals of the same country can have completely different procedures.
Your route, step by step
What to check first
01
Identify the legal basis
Do not start with a document list. First identify whether the case is work, study, family, CPLP, remote work, investment, etc.
02
Check whether a prior visa is required
The general residence-permit regime normally requires a valid residence visa unless a specific exemption/regime applies.
03
Prepare general conditions
Passport, accommodation, means of subsistence and other common evidence may be required in addition to route-specific documents.
04
Use the route-specific channel
Portals, forms, appointments and AIMA shops vary depending on the procedure.
Confirm before acting
General residence requirements — AIMA ↗AIMA FAQs ↗
Rules, channels and fees can change. The official source prevails at the time of filing.