Practical Information

Immigrating to Switzerland

According to the Federal Office for Migration’s information sheet for entry to Switzerland, “Foreign nationals intending to take up any form of employment in Switzerland are required to apply for a guarantee of permit either in person or through their employer, regardless of whether they require a visa to enter Switzerland or not. In the case of a visa requirement, the guarantee is granted through the issue of the visa.” This is to ensure that immigrants will not be a financial burden to the state. The information sheet can be accessed on the Federal Office for Migration website.

All those immigrating to Switzerland need a valid passport. In addition, other documentation may be necessary, depending on from which country you are immigrating. Each country’s requirements are found on the Federal Office for Migration (FOM)website.

A visa is not generally required for EU/EFTA nationals to immigrate to Switzerland, but everyone else needs to file for a visa with the Swiss Embassy or Consulate, which covers their area of residence in their home country before entering Switzerland. Non-EU/EFTA nationals must prove they have sufficient financial resources to cover living expenses in Switzerland, which is calculated at SFr 100 per day, otherwise they may need a declaration of guarantee, mentioned above. Visa application forms and further information can be found on the Federal Office for Migration (FOM) website. Check with your local consulate or embassy for exact requirements.

Once you have arrived in Switzerland bearing the requisite visa or travel documents, if you plan to work during your stay in Switzerland or remain in Switzerland for longer than three months you will require a permit. Residence permits are issued by the Cantonal Migration Offices. Cantonal administrative offices can be accessed at the Swiss Portal website. There are a number of different residence permits available, based upon your country of origin and reason for immigrating. For EU/EFTA nationals there are five different permits, and for all other countries there are eight to choose from.

EU/EFTA Nationals

Permit B: Resident foreign nationals. Those who are residents in Switzerland for a longer period of time for a certain purpose with or without gainful employment. Valid for five years if they are in possession of an employment contract of at least twelve months' duration or of unlimited duration.

Permit C: Settled foreign nationals. Those who have been granted a settlement permit after five or ten years' residence in Switzerland.

Permit Ci: Resident foreign nationals with gainful employment. For members of the families of intergovernmental organisations and for members of foreign representations.

Permit G: Cross border commuters. Foreign nationals who are resident in a foreign border zone and are gainfully employed within the neighbouring border zone of Switzerland.

Permit L: Short-term residents. Foreign nationals who are resident in Switzerland for a limited period of time, usually less than a year, for a certain purpose with or without gainful employment.

Non-EU/EFTA Nationals

Same permits as those listed above, but with the following differences:

Permit B: First-time permit is valid for one year only, though is renewable.

Permit C: Non-EU/EFTA nationals can be granted a short-term residence permit for a stay of up to one year, provided the quota of the number of third-country nationals staying in Switzerland has not been met.

There are three additional permits available

Permit F: Provisionally admitted foreigners. Persons who have been ordered to return from Switzerland to their native countries but in whose cases the enforcement of this order has proved inadmissible (violation of international law), unreasonable (concrete endangerment of the foreign national) or impossible (for technical reasons of enforcement).

Permit N: For asylum-seekers. Persons who have applied for asylum in Switzerland and whose application is being processed.

Permit S: People in need of protection. Entitles holders to stay in Switzerland provisionally, but not to cross the border and return to Switzerland.