In particular, let us consider options for low-cost emigration to Lithuania, Poland, Latvia, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. The main and nearly identical ways to obtain temporary residence here are: marriage to a citizen and family reunification (real evidence and documents confirming the residence of relatives in one of the listed countries are required), restoration of citizenship if it was lost, obtaining refugee status (especially difficult in the Czech Republic, but any country requires proof of what forced a person to leave their country), and special interest of the state in the foreign citizen.
Lithuania
A cozy European country with a favorable climate, European living standards, and stability attracts many by the ease of emigration through several methods:
1. Business immigration to Lithuania involves registering a company in Lithuania. Applicants are granted temporary residence for 1 year, which can then be extended for 2 years, and after 5 years, permanent residence can be obtained, provided that during those 5 years the applicant spent no more than 10 months outside the country in total (and no more than 2 months in any one of the 5 years).
All obtained documents, together with a business plan, must be submitted to the Migration Department at the place of residence. It is possible to manage with 3,000 euros for obtaining all necessary permits and documentation. At the end of 2014, business immigration became significantly more complicated, with the requirement to hire three employees and other challenges, details of which can be found on the Lithuanian forum http://litbook.lt/forum/
2. Work in Lithuania. It is possible to obtain a work visa for Lithuania, but this is quite difficult, as the Lithuanian labor market allocates quotas for jobs among foreign citizens, and this process can take a very long time and may not end in the applicant's favor. It is easier to open a nominal private business and obtain temporary residence, and then get a job.
3. Research activities under contract. This is a type of obtaining temporary residence through a work visa. According to the contract, an applicant working for a local Lithuanian company is issued a temporary residence permit, which over time (after 5 years) can be converted into permanent residence. By the way, in any case, one of the grounds for obtaining permanent residence is passing exams in the Lithuanian language and the basics of the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania.
4. Study in Lithuania at any level, internship, professional development, etc., can be grounds for obtaining temporary residence. For higher education in Lithuania, it is absolutely necessary to pass a test of proficiency in the Lithuanian language, both oral and written.
And finally, to obtain Lithuanian citizenship, one must be born in the country or have lived here continuously for 10 years.
Latvia
1. Investment in a Latvian enterprise (or starting a business) of at least 36,000 euros, provided that no more than 50 people work there, the enterprise is profitable, and taxes of at least 28,000 euros have been paid during the year. This must be documented and occur annually to extend the temporary residence permit. A huge advantage is that the investor does not have to reside here for a set period.
2. Placement by a foreigner of a deposit of at least 285,000 euros in a Latvian bank or credit institution for a period of at least 5 years grants the right to temporary residence for the duration of the capital placement. The fastest way to obtain temporary residence – the decision is sometimes made in 1 day!
3. Purchase of real estate in Latvia for at least 140,000 euros in large cities or for at least 70,000 euros in small towns of the country.
4. Employment in a Latvian company can help obtain a temporary residence permit, but due to high unemployment, this is becoming increasingly difficult.
5. Study in Latvia, like a labor contract, only provides a temporary residence permit, at the end of which one must leave the country.
Poland
It is one of the most favorable countries for immigration. This is facilitated by proximity to the European Union, a similar mentality, and accessible immigration methods, namely:
1. An official invitation from an employer and signing a work contract for at least 6 months. With repeated extension of the contract, one can apply for temporary residence.
2. Study at Polish universities, which offer minimal prices with the highest quality of European education, provides a student visa that entitles one to temporary residence.
3. Business immigration to Poland by opening a company with a share capital of about 50,000 zloty (approximately 12,000 euros), obtaining temporary residence, and after 5 years permanent residence. The fastest way of immigration – residence permit is granted 1-2 months after submitting documents.
Czech Republic
Residence permit in the Czech Republic can be obtained for 2 years by extending the initial long-term visa and living in the country for more than 180 days a year. The obtained temporary residence can then be extended for another 2 years. After 5 years of living in the Czech Republic, one can apply for permanent residence, and after 10 years – for Czech citizenship. Since January 1, 2014, a law came into force here allowing dual citizenship in the Czech Republic. Some of the most reliable paths of immigration to the Czech Republic:
1. Student visas. This is a wonderful way to migrate with minimal investment and almost no visa refusals. You can even pay for language courses in the Czech Republic and do not necessarily have to enroll in a Czech university.
2. Work visa, as well as the blue and green cards, due to high unemployment and many obstacles to providing a job, is practically inaccessible to a foreigner, although it requires minimal investment.
3. Business immigration is one of the hardest ways, as it requires opening a company (which is quite inexpensive), registering with the commercial register, tax office and social security and pension fund, regularly paying all taxes, and proving based on real facts and evidence that the applicant indeed has a profitable business in the Czech Republic. Usually there are 3-4 submissions of documents, each followed by a refusal, and in the best case they may eventually offer a multiple-entry visa (granting the right to live in the Czech Republic for 180 days a year).
However, upon obtaining a business visa for 1 year, the right to extend it for 2 years is granted, and after 5 years of visa extension, business profitability and regular tax payments, there is a real possibility of obtaining permanent residence.
Slovakia
This beautiful country offers the immigrant the following ways to move:
1. A foreigner engages in scientific and research activities in the interests of Slovakia.
2. Immigration on a student temporary residence permit or based on language courses is the most accessible option, which later (to extend the permit) can be changed to any other method of immigration, for example, by starting a business.
3. Business immigration is currently the most accessible in Slovakia. To do this, a company is registered (1500-2000 euros), a certificate is provided confirming that the company's account in Slovakia has at least 20,000 euros (for a private entrepreneur 3900 euros), and personal account at least 2400 euros. Then, it is necessary to undergo a medical examination in Slovakia and obtain health insurance, collect the necessary package of documents, provide a business plan, and pay the costs for obtaining a temporary residence permit (about 2000 euros).
By the way, in Slovakia there is no need for hired workers at the opened company to obtain or extend a temporary residence permit. If you extend the obtained temporary residence permit for 5 years, you can apply for permanent residence.
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