If you are planning to live in Switzerland, the first word you will meet is "permit". A Switzerland residence permit is the card that shows you are allowed to live here, and almost everything else (bank account, health insurance, school place, apartment) is easier once you understand which one applies to you. This page gives you the big picture. It does not decide anything for you: the Swiss authorities grant permits, and nothing here is a promise of an outcome.
Think of it as a map. Once you can read the map, the detailed pages on each permit make much more sense.
The two doors into Switzerland
Switzerland has two separate regimes for people arriving from abroad (State Secretariat for Migration, SEM):
- EU/EFTA nationals come through the free movement of persons agreement with the European Union.
- Third-country nationals (everyone else, which includes most readers from the UK, the US, India, Canada, Australia, the Gulf, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Japan and Korea) come through the general rules for non-EU citizens.
Which door you use depends on your passport, not on where you live today. A family with mixed passports can even sit in both regimes at once. The details of each regime are on the pages about EU and EFTA citizens and coming from outside the EU.
The permit letters in plain English
The SEM groups permits by length of stay: short-term (less than one year), annual (limited), and settlement (unlimited). The letters you will see are:
- L: a short-stay permit for stays of less than one year. See the L permit.
- B: the residence permit. It is limited in time and renewable. See the B permit.
- C: the settlement permit, with no end date. See the C and Ci permits.
- Ci: a residence permit with the right to work, for people linked to foreign representations (for example, relatives of diplomats).
- G: the cross-border commuter permit. It is for people who live outside Switzerland, so it is not what this site is about.
Exact durations and the time it takes to reach a C permit vary by nationality and by canton. We do not quote numbers here because they are not assured; the cantonal migration office confirms them when you apply.
Permits side by side
The table is a simplification. Real cases depend on your nationality, your reason for coming and the canton where you will live.
Which permit do people usually start with?
Most people who move for a job or to join family start with a B permit or, for short assignments, an L permit. A C permit comes later, after a period of living here, and the conditions differ between EU/EFTA and non-EU citizens. The exact conditions are something the cantonal office explains, which is why we leave numbers out.
If you would like a quick pointer, the permit finder walks you through a few simple questions and shows which pages to read next.
Three examples (fictional)
- A couple from Manchester with an offer from a Basel employer. Because the UK is outside the EU and EFTA, they belong to the third-country regime. The employer usually starts the process, and the couple prepares documents at home.
- A family from Bangalore moving with two school-age children. Their route depends on the parent's job offer. The children's schooling is arranged once the family has a place to live, so the school choice tool is a useful early step.
- A single engineer from Lyon, a French citizen. As an EU national, the free movement rules apply. The permit mostly follows the work contract.
These are made-up examples to show how the regimes work in practice. Yours will differ.
What to prepare from abroad
Whatever the permit, the paper trail looks similar:
- A valid passport for every family member
- The job offer or work contract, if you are coming to work
- Proof of your relationship (marriage or birth certificates) for family members, ideally with official translations
- A rough plan for where you will live, since the commune of residence registers you on arrival
- Passport photos and copies of key documents
Documents from countries outside Europe sometimes need extra certification. The cantonal office tells you which ones, and a relocation calendar helps you see the order of steps.
The order of things
Health insurance is compulsory once you live here, and the rules are explained in how Swiss health insurance works. Self-employed people follow a different path, covered on the self-employed page.
Common traps
- Assuming a short permit will turn into a longer one automatically. It does not; each step is decided by the authority.
- Booking an apartment or school before the permit situation is clear.
- Treating cantonal rules as identical. Cantons run the process, so timing and requests differ.
- Forgetting renewal. See renewing your permit without panic.
Where a relocation specialist helps
This site is a matchmaking service. We work with the best relocation companies in Switzerland and, depending on your request, connect you with the one that fits your situation. They can look at your individual case. The request form at the bottom of the page is the way to start, and you can read more about immigration support or relocation services first.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Switzerland residence permit?
It is the official card showing you may live in Switzerland for a stated period. The letter on it (L, B, C and so on) tells you the type of stay.
How many main permit types are there?
The SEM describes short-term, annual and settlement authorizations. In everyday use, people talk about L, B and C, plus Ci and G for special groups.
Which permit is for short stays?
The L permit covers short stays of less than one year. It is often linked to a fixed-term contract or an assignment.
Which permit do most newcomers get?
Many people who move for a longer job or family reasons start with a B permit. The authorities decide each case, so nothing is assured.
What does the C permit mean?
It is the settlement permit, with no end date. It generally comes after a period of living in Switzerland, and the conditions differ by nationality.
What is the Ci permit?
Ci is a residence permit with the right to work, for people connected to foreign representations, such as certain family members of diplomats.
What is the G permit?
G is for cross-border commuters who live outside Switzerland. It is not a residence permit for people moving here.
Does my nationality matter?
Yes. EU/EFTA citizens use one route, and citizens of other countries use another. The two regimes have different conditions.
Is a British citizen an EU citizen for permit purposes?
No. UK citizens are treated as third-country nationals. The page on coming from outside the EU explains that route.
Do Americans and Canadians need a permit?
Yes, to live in Switzerland. They belong to the third-country regime. Canadians may like the page for Canadians moving to Switzerland.
Who applies for the permit?
It depends on the situation. For a job, the employer often starts the process. For family, a relative in Switzerland may do so.
Can I apply from abroad?
Usually the process starts before arrival, with documents prepared from home. The authority in the canton where you will live handles the file.
Can I just arrive and look for a job?
Rules differ between the two regimes and are strict for non-EU citizens. The authority can explain what is possible in your situation.
Does my family get permits too?
Family members are covered by family rules, which differ by regime. See the page on reuniting with relatives through the cantonal office, and ask for a specialist to look at your case.
Is there a minimum salary for a work permit?
This is a common question. The page on work permits and salary explains what is, and is not, a fixed rule.
What about students?
Students follow a different path. See the student permit.
Can I be self-employed?
Possibly, but the rules differ from employment. The self-employed page gives the general picture.
How long does the process take?
It varies by canton and by case. We do not give a number because it is not assured; the cantonal office can tell you more.
Can a permit be renewed?
Annual permits are generally renewable, subject to the authority's decision. Starting early on renewal is a sensible habit.
Do I need health insurance?
Basic health insurance is compulsory for people living in Switzerland, within a time limit set by law. The page on how insurance works explains the steps.
Does the permit decide where I can live?
The permit is linked to a canton. Moving to another canton is a separate topic that this site does not cover.
What happens if my application is refused?
The authority explains the reasons and any options. A specialist can look at the details of your case.
Which page should I read next?
If you are from the EU or EFTA, read the EU and EFTA page. Otherwise, read the page on the B permit.
How do I get personal advice?
Fill in the request at the bottom of the page. A relocation company matched to your needs will look at your situation.