Can I change employer with permit L?

EU/EFTA: yes, with cantonal notification. Non-EU: no, the permit is tied to the employer and canton.

My contract is 18 months. Permit L or B?

EU/EFTA: contracts 12+ months give right to B. For non-EU it is preferable to apply directly for B.

How long does the non-EU procedure take?

Canton: 2–6 weeks. SEM: 2–6 weeks. Visa: 1–3 weeks. Total: 6–16 weeks.

Do I lose permit B if I lose my job?

EU/EFTA: can remain at least 6 months to seek employment. Non-EU: more complex, depends on the canton.

When can I apply for permit C?

EU-15/EFTA: after 5 years. Most other non-EU: after 10 years. Integration requirements including language.

Does time with permit L count towards C?

No. The count towards C starts from the date of permit B.

Can I stay overnight in Switzerland with permit G?

Yes, during the working week. Must return to main residence abroad at least once a week.

If I move to Switzerland do I lose G?

Yes. You will need to apply for permit B.

I am non-EU near the border. Can I work in Switzerland?

Yes, but with stricter conditions. Must reside in a border zone for 6+ months. Employer must pass labour market test.

Can my family come to Switzerland?

As a G holder you reside abroad. Swiss family reunification applies only to permit B holders.

Can I receive passive income?

Yes. The prohibition concerns active employment. Investment returns, pensions, dividends and foreign rental income are permitted.

What are 'ties with Switzerland' for non-EU nationals?

Federal Court case law requires direct connections independent of family ties: local associations, extended stays, real estate ownership.

What is the financial threshold for non-EU nationals?

Federal: CHF 25,200/year. Expensive cantons (Zurich, Geneva, Vaud) expect CHF 80,000–120,000/year or more.

What is the forfait fiscal?

Fixed tax based on living expenses in Switzerland rather than worldwide income. Requires no Swiss tax residence in the previous 10 years.

I am EU and freelance. Do I need a company?

No. You can operate as a sole trader. You need permit B and AHV enrolment. Commercial register mandatory only above CHF 100,000 turnover.

How many clients do I need to qualify as self-employed?

For the G permit: cantonal practice usually 3+ ongoing clients. For permit B: less strict but the business must be sustainable.

I am non-EU with permit C. Can I start a business?

Yes, you have a legal right to self-employment without the economic interest test.

What happens at renewal if the startup has not met its targets?

For non-EU, the initial permit lasts 2 years. The canton assesses whether the business plan results have been achieved.

Permit C Switzerland — Permanent Residence

Q: I have been in Switzerland for 5 years. Do I get C automatically?

No. The qualifying period is necessary but not sufficient. Integration criteria must be met. For most non-EU the period is 10 years.

Q: Can I lose C once obtained?

Yes: prolonged absence, serious criminal conviction, fraud. Confirmed every 5 years.

What is it

Permit C — permanent residence

Permit C grants unlimited residence, full freedom of work and change of canton without prior approval. Not tied to employment or income. Confirmed every 5 years.

After 5 years (EU-15/EFTA)

Nationals of the 14 EU-15 countries and 3 EFTA countries: after 5 years of continuous legal residence, by virtue of bilateral settlement treaties. No quota.

After 10 years (others)

Most other non-EU nationals: after 10 years of continuous legal residence with permit B. No quota.

Route to citizenship

Naturalisation: permit C + 10 years total residence, of which 3 in the 5 years before the application. Language B1/A2. Years 8–18 count double (Art. 9 BüG).

Integration requirements

What is needed

Language B1 oral / A2 written

In German, French, Italian or Romansh (language of the canton). Certificate from institution recognised by SEM.

Mandatory

Financial independence

No dependence on social assistance at time of application. Recent dependence (last 3 years) may lead to refusal.

Mandatory

Respect for the legal order

No serious criminal conviction.

Mandatory

Continuous legal residence

No interruption: generally no more than 6 consecutive months or 12 months total in 3 years.

Mandatory

Procedura

Application at the cantonal office

Eligibility check

Confirm the qualifying period and integration criteria. Pre-assessment included.

Applicant + ImmiLex

Language certificate

SEM publishes the updated list of recognised certificates.

ApplicantBefore application

Application at the cantonal office

The canton assesses integration and residence history. We prepare the complete dossier.

Applicant + ImmiLex4–12 weeks

Permit C issued

Valid indefinitely, confirmed every 5 years.

CantonConfirmed every 5 years

ImmiLex Fees

Fees

Orientation consultation

CHF 250

1 hour • Deducted if mandate

Qualifying period check
Language requirements for your canton
Likelihood of approval

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Full Service permit C

CHF 2,900

Complete dossier • Orientation fee deducted

Pre-application assessment
Language certificate guidance
Complete dossier
Cantonal submission and follow-up
5-year confirmation support

Get started

Authority costs:

Cantonal fees: CHF 60–150
Biometric card: CHF 20
Language test: CHF 100–300
Criminal record: CHF 20

Frequently asked questions

I have been in Switzerland for 5 years. Do I get C automatically?

No. The qualifying period is necessary but not sufficient. You must meet integration criteria. For most non-EU the period is 10 years, not 5.

I have no language certificate. What do I do?

Some cantons accept a sworn declaration for long-term residents. We verify the practice of your specific canton.

Can I lose C once obtained?

Yes: prolonged absence (>6 months without authorisation), serious criminal conviction, fraud. Confirmed every 5 years.

Can I change canton with C?

Yes, freely. Simply register in the new municipality.

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Stripe Inc. (USA) — payment processing. Stripe adheres to the Swiss-U.S. Data Privacy Framework.

Vercel Inc. (USA) — site hosting. Log data (IP, user agent) retained for a maximum of 30 days.

Resend Inc. — transactional email sending (appointment confirmations).

Data is not sold, transferred or shared with third parties for marketing purposes.

8. User rights

Under the nFADP, the user has the right of access, rectification, erasure and portability of their data, as well as the right to object to processing. To exercise these rights: info@immilex.ch.

The user also has the right to lodge a complaint with the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC).

Permanent residence — the strongest status

Permit C — permanent residence

After 5 years (EU-15/EFTA)

After 10 years (others)

Route to citizenship

What is needed

Language B1 oral / A2 written

Financial independence

Respect for the legal order

Continuous legal residence

Application at the cantonal office

Eligibility check

Language certificate

Application at the cantonal office

Permit C issued

Fees

Orientation consultation

Full Service permit C

Frequently asked questions

I have been in Switzerland for 5 years. Do I get C automatically?

I have no language certificate. What do I do?

Can I lose C once obtained?

Can I change canton with C?

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