Obtaining a residence permit is the first step to settling in Switzerland. Various types of permits exist depending on your personal and professional situation. Here is an overview of the four main types:

	EU/EFTA nationals	Non-EU/EFTA nationals
L permit	With gainful employment: • Valid for up to 12 months (with the possibility of extension to 24 months) • Family reunification is possible (only for permits valid for between 4 and 12 months) Without gainful employment: • An L permit can be issued on proof of active job-seeking in Switzerland.	With gainful employment: • Valid for up to 12 months (with the possibility of extension to 24 months) • Family reunification is possible (only for permits valid for between 4 and 12 months) Without gainful employment: • An L permit can be issued on proof of active job-seeking in Switzerland.
B permit	With gainful employment • Valid for up to 5 years, renewable. • Family reunification is possible Without gainful employment • Proof of sufficient financial resources • Suitable accommodation	With gainful employment • Valid for up to 12 months, renewable. • Family reunification is possible • Entry visa required Without gainful employment • Pensioner (over 55 or lump sum taxation) • Proof of sufficient financial resources • Suitable accommodation • Proof of close cultural or personal links with Switzerland • Entry visa required
C permit	• Granted after an uninterrupted stay in Switzerland of 5 or 10 years, depending on the criteria required. • Valid for an unlimited period • Proof of language skills (depending on nationality and Canton of residence)	• Granted after an uninterrupted stay in Switzerland of 5 or 10 years, depending on the criteria required. • Valid for an unlimited period • Proof of language skills (depending on nationality and Canton of residence)
G permit	• Valid for up to 5 years, renewable. • Return to country of residence at least once a week	• Valid for up to 5 years, renewable. • At least 6 months’ residence in the border area required • Return to country of residence at least once a week

Here are some other residence permits issued in more exceptional cases:

◉ Permit F (for temporarily admitted foreign nationals)
◉ Permit N (for asylum seekers)
◉ Permit S (temporary protection for persons in need of protection)

How does granting a residence permit work?  

Each year, quotas for each residence permit are allocated by canton and vary according to local economic needs. For example, economically dynamic cantons such as Zurich or Berne have higher quotas than rural cantons.

Here are the quotas available for 2024: 

◉ 500 B permits for EU/EFTA nationals
◉ 3,000 L permits for EU/EFTA nationals
◉ 4,500 B permits for non-EU/EFTA nationals
◉ 4,000 L permits for non-EU/EFTA nationals 
◉ 2,100 B permits for UK nationals
◉ 1,400 L permits for UK nationals
◉ 1,204 B permits for Croatian nationals
◉ 1,053 L permits for Croatian nationals

(EU/EFTA: citizens of the European Union, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein)

Is it common for a permit application to be rejected due to a lack of quotas? 

In general, employers do not need to consider quotas as a limiting factor when hiring employees in Switzerland. Such cases are extremely rare.

Language test 

For some years, to improve the integration of immigrants, a language test may be required to obtain a residence permit. 

Specific cases	Required level	Who is concerned?
Family reunification: to obtain and extend a residence permit (B)	💬 A1	• Spouses of B or C residence permit holders • After dissolution of the marriage or the family
Family reunification: to obtain a permanent residence permit (C)	💬 A2 ✍️ A1	• Spouses of permanent residence permit holders (C permit) • Spouses of Swiss citizens
To obtain a permanent residence permit (C)	💬 A2 ✍️ A1	• Foreign nationals who have lived uninterrupted in Switzerland for 10 years or depending on nationality • Foreign nationals reissued with a residence permit after a stay abroad
To obtain a fast-track permanent residence permit (C)	💬 B1 ✍️ A1	• Fast-track residence permit after five years’ uninterrupted residence in Switzerland
To acquire Swiss nationality	💬 B1 ✍️ A2	• Standard naturalisation after 10 years in Switzerland • Simplified naturalisation for spouses of Swiss citizens after five years of marriage and cohabitation.

Employment contracts not subject to permit quotas include :

◉ Permanent missions
◉ Inter-governmental organizations and international institutions
◉ Quasi-governmental international organizations and other international bodies.

Indeed, these workers receive a legitimation card from the FDFA (Federal Department of Foreign Affairs), which serves as their residence permit in Switzerland and certifies any privileges they may have.

In the case of family reunification, family members typically receive the same type of identification card as the principal holder.

Citizens of EU and EFTA countries benefit from the free movement of persons, which significantly simplifies immigration procedures:

◉ EU/EFTA citizens can enter Switzerland and seek employment for up to 3 months without a declaration of presence.

◉ Foreign workers from EU/EFTA countries can work in Switzerland for a maximum of 90 working days per calendar year without a work permit, but they must be registered (online registration). 

◉ If a local employment contract has been signed, the EU/EFTA citizen can settle in Switzerland immediately and obtain their residence permit at a later time.

◉ Family reunification is possible to bring a spouse, children under 21 or dependent children, as well as dependent parents and grandparents. This procedure is subject to strict conditions, such as proof of sufficient income and adequate housing.

Immigration procedures are stricter for non-EU/EFTA nationals:

◉ In a recruitment case, it is necessary to prove that no Swiss or European candidate with equal qualifications has been found for the position.

◉ A work permit does not necessarily give you the right to enter Switzerland. Depending on the nationality of the non-EU/EFTA national, a visa will be required to enter the country.

◉ Family reunification is possible for spouses and children under 18. This procedure is subject to strict conditions, such as proof of sufficient income and adequate housing.