Not Every Country Requests a Criminal Record Check for Residency
Confirmation that you have no criminal record is one of the key documents required when you request residency in a new country. It’s a key requirement of nearly every country for residency. As well as being a pain to get in some countries, some people have minor youthful indiscretions on their criminal record which can stop then getting residency in the country where they want to live.
It’s preferable to have legal residency as this means you don’t have to do regular border runs to renew your tourist visa. You can’t be deported if you have a legal residency. In some countries it’s more of an issue than others. There are some countries where you can stay indefinitely on a tourist visa and even get citizenship within a couple of years. We detail one of these opportunities in Second Passport Blueprint.
We’re regularly asked by clients where they can get a residency visa without a criminal record check. Here are just a few of the options:
France
There are dozens of options for getting a French residence permit. The first step is to request a long stay visa for France. After you’ve been issued with a long stay visa you must go to the local prefecture to get your Carte de Sejour within 3 months. France does not ask for a criminal record check when applying for long stay visa or a residence permit.
10 Ways to Get Residency in France
Mexico
Getting residency in Mexico is easy if you’re able to prove you have savings or income. You can see more about getting residency in Mexico here. Mexico does not require any criminal record check to get a residence permit to stay there long term.
Chile
You can apply for residency in Chile at your local Chilean consulate. You’ll first apply for a 2 year temporary visa. There are numerous categories you can apply under depending onwhat your purpose is for going to Chile. There are business categories and investor categories. You will have to prove you can support yourself in Chile. After 2 years you can get a permanent residency and after 5 years you can apply for citizenship.
The Chilean passport is considered the best in Latin America as it’s the only Latin American passport that is granted visa free access to the US. Chile does not ask for any criminal record check to apply for residency there.
Italy
Italy has many different categories of visa you can apply for. Some of the categories, like investor visas, do require a criminal record check. There is one category of visa that’s available for anyone who doesn’t want to provide a criminal record check. This is Italy’s Residenza Elettiva visa. This can be applied for at your local Italian consulate before you travel to Italy.
You’re not allowed to work in Italy with this kind of visa. You’ll be asked to show that you have sufficient income or wealth to live in Italy without working. After you arrive in Italy you need to apply for a residence permit within 8 days. This is known as a Permesso di Soggiorno. 20 days after you receive your Permesso di Soggiorno you must apply for a residency certificate in your local area. When you have your residency certificate you’re all good to stay in Italy for up to 5 years.
Peru
Peru has a low income requirement to get a residency visa. It’s also one of the fastest passports you can get with a residency requirement of as little as 2 years. It’s important to enter Peru with a residency visa if you want to avoid a criminal record check. It’s possible to enter Peru on a tourist visa and apply for a status change. You won’t have to provide a criminal record check if you do this but they will run an Interpol status check on you.
If you’d rather avoid this you can apply for a residency visa before you enter Peru. To do this you’ll have to nominate someone who’s already in Peru, like a local lawyer, to make the application in Peru and have the visa issued at your local Peruvian consulate. In this way you’ll avoid the need for a criminal record check or Interpol search.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the options to get visas if you don’t want to provide a criminal record check. There are many reasons why you may not want to. Even if you don’t have a criminal record. You may not wany your own government to know that you’re applying for a visa to stay overseas permanently. You may not want the extra delay and hassle. Whatever your reasons it’s good to know that you have options available to you.
HOW LIBERTY MUNDO HELPS CLIENTS WORLDWIDE
Liberty Mundo help high net worth clients protect their assets and increase their freedom. We work with our clients to make their assets untouchable. It doesn’t matter who the pursuers are or how well funded they are. We use complex structure spread over multiple jurisdictions worldwide to make sure your wealth remains safe.
We also help our clients to get second passports and residencies. Political risk is something that few think about. But it could be the biggest single risk to your personal safety and wealth. Governments in the west are becoming more authoritarian. Passports can be cancelled and renewals refused. It’s crucial to have your insurance in place to protect both your assets and your freedom. Work with us to put a personalized asset protection and second citizenship plan in place.
It’s never too early to take action to protect your wealth and your family’s future. Planning for 2023 should include a solid backup plan to protect your assets and defend yourself against political risk. Wherever you’re located.
