VII.STATUS99
VII.1 Length and type of residence
VII.STATUS99
A) Summary of international standards
Granting the right of residence for persons recognised as stateless fulfils the object and purpose of the 1954
Convention. It is therefore recommended that states grant persons recognised as stateless a residence permit
valid for at least two years, although permits for a longer duration, such as five years, are preferable in the
interests of stability. Such permits are to be renewable.100
B) Existing good practices
All countries with a specific statelessness determination mechanism establish a right of residence for
those recognised as stateless. State practice varies significantly as to the type and validity period of residence
entitlements for stateless persons. Mexico and Slovakia currently provide the best practice example by issuing a
permanent residence permit to stateless persons, recognised as such. This not only ensures more stability and
better integration prospects for the stateless persons concerned, but it also saves state authorities from unnecessary
administrative burden (it should be kept in mind that statelessness is typically an enduring phenomenon).
Moldova also provides a good practice example: stateless persons recognised by this country are issued an
identity card (and not a residence permit), the validity of which depends on the age of the person concerned:
From birth to 10 years of age;
From 10 to 16 years of age;
From 16 to 25 years of age;
From 25 to 45 years of age;
From 45 years for life.
The following table summarises those states’ practices where the validity of the residence permit issued to
stateless persons exceeds the minimum benchmark of two years, as recommended by UNHCR:
Spain
Latvia
Georgia
Hungary
United Kingdom
Maximum validity
5 years
5 years
3 years
3 years
30 months
Which can be renewed for periods of…
5 years
5 years
3 years
1 year
30 months
99 In this section, only the rights flowing from recognition as stateless person (and the grant of the relevant residence permit) will be
presented. In all countries covered, stateless persons may have access to other statuses as well (refugee status, complementary forms of
protection, tolerated stay, etc.), which may provide different rights and conditions than those presented in this section.
100 For detailed guidance see UNHCR Statelessness Guidelines 3, Para 28-30
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