Residence permit (B permit)
The B permit entitles a foreign national to reside in Switzerland for a specific purpose for a longer period of time.

For EU/EFTA citizens, residence permits are issued with a validity period of five years. For third-country nationals, residence permits are limited to one year.

The EU-27 comprises the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.

** The EFTA countries are: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland.

The B residence permit for EU/EFTA nationals is issued for a period of five years. It is tied to a specific purpose. If this purpose ceases to apply – for example due to divorce or loss of employment – the permit ends automatically and is generally not extended.

However, as long as the original reason continues to apply (or another reason for entitlement exists), the cantonal migration authority will extend the B permit for a further five years.

As a rule, after five years of uninterrupted residence in Switzerland, nationals of certain EU/EFTA states are entitled to an unlimited and purpose-free permanent residence permit (C permit).

For third-country nationals (nationals outside the EU/EFTA area)

The most important points in brief

– Foreign nationals entering Switzerland for the first time are initially only issued a residence permit.

– Residence permits are issued for one year and can be extended for one to two years upon application.

– The residence permit is always limited in time and may be subject to conditions.

– The obligations assumed and declarations made by the foreign national during the permit procedure, in particular regarding the purpose of the stay, are deemed to be conditions.

– Spouses of Swiss nationals and permanent residents may exercise an employed or self-employed activity throughout Switzerland without further authorization.

– Spouses of residents may work as employees throughout Switzerland without further authorization. Taking up self-employment requires a permit.

– Persons with a residence permit who have entered Switzerland for the purpose of gainful employment can generally change jobs without a permit and work anywhere in Switzerland.

– Persons who have entered Switzerland as persons not in gainful employment require a permit to take up employment.

– Students can apply for permission to take up employment for a maximum of 15 hours per week at the earliest 6 months after entering the country.

– Recognized refugees: The employer must notify the competent cantonal authorities at the place of work in advance of the commencement and termination of employment and of any change of job.

– Family reunification is possible under certain conditions.

– The residence permit is only valid for the canton that issued it. If a foreign national moves to another canton, the corresponding permit must first be obtained from the new canton.

– Together with a valid passport from the home country, the residence permit is also valid as a Schengen visa: holders are entitled to stay in a Schengen country for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period.

The residence permit expires after a stay abroad of more than six months. Short visits to Switzerland do not interrupt this period.