Swiss permits, letter by letter
Each permit has a letter. It determines how long you can stay, whether you can work and change jobs, and when you can move on to another permit.
The most common permits
- L permit (short-term residence permit): usually less than a year. EU/EFTA: the length of the contract, up to 12 months.
- B permit (residence permit): EU/EFTA 5 years, renewable; non-EU, usually renewed every year.
- C permit (settlement permit): unlimited duration, with no conditions attached. See the C permit.
- G permit (cross-border commuter permit): home in a neighbouring country, return at least once a week. See the G permit.
Other permits
- Ci: spouses and children of officials of international organisations and foreign representations who are in gainful employment.
- N: asylum seekers during the procedure.
- F: provisionally admitted foreign nationals.
- S: people in need of protection, for example those who fled Ukraine.
N, F and S permits involve special procedures: we refer you to specialist services.
Source: SEM.
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In under a minute: your permit, your timeline and when you will be able to apply for the C permit.