A foreigner living in Switzerland must have a residence permit. However, the residence regulations that apply to nationals of the EU (European Union) or EFTA (European Free Trade Association) are fairly straightforward with few restrictions.

It is more complicated and restrictive for third-country nationals (non-EU/EFTA citizens).

The Swiss Federal Government website, The Swiss Portal, has comprehensive information on the various types of residence permit in English: Click here

Entering Switzerland

Identification, such as a national identity card or passport, is needed for a foreign national to enter Switzerland. Switzerland voted to ratify the Schengen Agreement in 2005, though actual implementation is expected to occur in 2008.

EU/EFTA nationals may enter Switzerland to search for employment, with no permit necessary for a period of up to three months. If the search for employment is unsuccessful, a short-term residence permit (L permit) can be issued for another three months' job search.

The Federal Office for Migration (FOM) provides a reference list of documents needed for nationals of all countries of the world: Click here

Applying for Swiss Residency 

Application for a residence permit must be made and it is forbidden to work without an approved permit. 

All application forms can be obtained from the relevant cantonal authority, as a rule the migration office or OCP (Office Cantonal de la Population). They are responsible for approving applications and issuing permits. They are also responsible for registering foreign nationals who must register with the residents' registration office within eight days of their arrival in the commune where they will be living. 

Contact the relevant cantonal authority to enquire which documents are required for individual circumstances. 

• To find your local office: Click here 
• The website of the Federal Office for Migration (FOM) provides comprehensive information in English

EU Citizens: Residency in Switzerland

The Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons between Switzerland and the EU allows the right of entry, of residence and of access to employment in Switzerland to all nationals of EU Member States (holders of an EU passport). 

Since 1 June 2007, citizens of France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, Portugal, the UK, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Norway, Iceland und Liechtenstein are allowed full free movement of persons. 

Specific regulations still apply to citizens of Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia, who wish to take up employment in Switzerland. The same also applies to service providers in some sectors.

People who work during their stay in Switzerland or who remain in Switzerland for longer than three months require a permit, which is issued by Cantonal Migration Offices. There are three different types of residence permits: short-term residence permits (less than 1 year), annual residence permits (up to 10 years) and permanent residence permits (unlimited).

Residence Permit (B-EC)

This is valid for five years, issued on the presentation of an employment contract running a year or more. 

The residence permit will be renewed for another five years without any further procedures if the relevant requirements are satisfied. 

• To see a detailed explanation and sample permit: Click here 

Settlement Permit (C-EC/EFTA European Free Trade Association) 

"Settled foreign nationals" are foreign nationals who have been granted a settlement permit after five or ten years' residence in Switzerland. The right to settle in Switzerland is not subject to any restrictions and must not be tied to any conditions. 

EC/EFTA nationals are granted settlement permits after five years' regular and uninterrupted residence in Switzerland. As with the residence permit, settlement permits are checked every five years.

• To see a detailed explanation and sample permit: Click here

Short-Term Residence Permit (L-EC)

This is issued on presentation of an employment contract lasting less than a year. The permit is valid for the same duration as the job contract. The permit can be extended or renewed without having to leave Switzerland. 

Short-term residence permits valid up to four months are not restricted by quotas.

Artists' short-term residence permits with validity up to eight months are also not subject to quotas.

• To see a detailed explanation and sample permit: Click here

Cross-Border Commuter Permit (G)

Cross-border commuters are resident in a foreign border zone and employed in the neighbouring border area. 

The term "border zone" describes the regions which have been fixed in the cross-border commuter treaties signed between Switzerland and its neighbouring countries. These are being phased out in 2007. French border zones include the French départements of Ain (01), Haute-Savoie (74), Jura (39), Haut-Rhin (68), Doubs (25) and Territoire-de-Belfort (90).

On presentation of an employment contract lasting 12 months or more, the cross-border commuter permit will be valid for five years.

Cross-border commuters must return to their main place of residence at least once a week.

• To see a detailed explanation and sample permit: Click here

Trainee Permit

This is issued to people aged 18 to 30 for the purpose of training further in their profession or in languages. It is issued on the basis of bilateral agreements and is valid for no longer than 18 months.

Short term change of status

If you hold a short-term permit you can change where you work or live in Switzerland at any time and you can become self-employed. 

All changes have to be reported to the local cantonal authority.

Until 1 June 2007 job mobility will be restricted for short-term permit holders. Any switch to self-employment will be subject to the long-term residence permit quotas.

Health Treatment (or similar)

If going to Switzerland to receive a service (such as health treatment) a certificate from the health centre is required, indicating how long the treatment is going to take.

Students

If you are going to be student you will have to present your university or school enrolment certificate and application form.

• For a detailed explanation: Click here

Job seekers

If unsuccessful in finding work in another country and going to Switzerland to look for a job, it is not compulsory to inform the OCP until after three months. If necessary, the application form E303/0-5 has to be presented to the unemployment office in the country of origin. Unemployment aid may then be received for a maximum period of three months.

When employment is found, it is compulsory to present the following documents to the OCP:

• An application form, completed and signed by the applicant and the employer, and the necessary documents requested in the form.
• Two passport photos
• An identity document

Extended stay 

To extend a stay in Switzerland for more than three months it is necessary to apply to the OCP office with the following documents:

• An application form and the necessary documents requested in the form
• Documents proving your financial situation
• Two passport photos
• An identity document
• Swiss health insurance certificate

Authorisation to stay between 6 and 9 months may be granted

Application from outside Switzerland

If the application is made from outside Switzerland, it is necessary to send the relevant documents to the OCP office. On arrival in Switzerland, after permission has been granted the following documents must be presented to the OCP:

• Two passport photos 
• An identity document 

If working for a maximum of three consecutive months or 90 working days over the year, it is not necessary to obtain a residence permit. But the employer (or applicant, if self-employed), is obliged to announce this eight days before the "lucrative activity" starts. This can be done by post, fax, or online on the Federal Office for Migration (FOM) website.

Non-EU Citizens (third-country nationals): Residency in Switzerland

Residence certificates are provided by the OCP in collaboration with the Federal Office for Migration (FOM), an amalgamation of the Federal Office for Refugees (FOR) and the Federal Office of Immigration, Integration and Emigration (IMES) (l'Office fédéral de l'immigration, de l'intégration et de l'émigration).

Permit B: Residence permit for third country nationals

Generally, the first residence permit granted to a third-country national is valid for one year. 

Once a permit has been granted, it is normally renewed every year unless there are reasons against a renewal, such as criminal offences, dependence on social security or the labour market. 

• To see a detailed explanation and sample permit: Click here

Permit C: Settlement permit for third-country nationals

Settled foreign nationals are foreign nationals who have been granted a settlement permit after five or ten years' residence in Switzerland. As a rule, third-country nationals are in a position to be granted a settlement permit after ten years' regular and uninterrupted residence in Switzerland. 

US nationals are subject to a special regulation or five years.

• To see a detailed explanation and sample permit: Click here

Permit C1: Residence permit with employment

The residence permit with employment is intended for members of the families of intergovernmental organisations and for members of foreign representations. It includes spouses and children up to 21 years of age. The validity of the permit is limited to the duration of the main holder's function.

• To see a detailed explanation and sample permit: Click here

Permit L: Short-term residence permit for third-country nationals

Short-term residents are foreign nationals who are resident in Switzerland for a limited period of time (usually less than a year) for a particular purpose (regardless of whether they are employed and earning).

Third-country nationals can only be granted a short-term residence permit for a stay of up to one year, as long as the quota (set annually by the Federal Council) of third-country nationals permitted into the country in a year has not been reached.

In the case of short term employment, the period of validity of the permit is the same as the term of the employment contract. In exceptional cases, this permit can be extended to an overall duration of no more than 24 months, provided the holder works for the same employer throughout this time. 

Employment as an au-pair and basic and advanced practical training in Switzerland are also regarded as short-term residences. 

Trainees are also granted short-term residence permits. The period of validity of the permit is limited to one year but can be extended by another six months in exceptional cases. Trainees are people aged 18 to 30 who have completed their occupational training and want to follow further occupational or language training in the context of employment in Switzerland. 

Trainees are subject to special rules and quotas, which have been laid down in special treaties. 

• To see a detailed explanation and sample permit: Click here

Permit G: Cross-border commuter permit for third-country nationals

Third-country nationals can only be granted a cross-border commuter permit if:

• they have a permanent residence permit for the neighbouring country 
• and have lived in the neighbouring country's border zone for at least six months. 
• they fulfil the labour market requirements

When granted for the first time, this permit is valid for one year. Its validity is limited to the border zone of the canton that issued it. Third-country border commuters require permission to change jobs or occupations.

Cross-border commuters must return to their main place of residence at least once a week.

• To see a detailed explanation and sample permit: Click here

Applying for Residency (third country nationals)

Application for residence permits have to be presented to the OCP office before settling in Switzerland.

Documents to be presented:

• The first page of the application form. If employed then it has to be signed by the future employer and include (from them) a letter of motivation with proof of unsuccessful job searches that have been done in the job market in Switzerland and the EU.
• A work contract and a CV

If the conditions are fulfilled, the OCP will authorise the Swiss foreign representation office to issue a visa to enter into Switzerland. On arrival in the country the following must be presented to the OCP:

• The second page of the application form plus the required documents.
• Two passport photos
• A photocopy of the passport pages related to identity, validity and entry visa for Switzerland.

Applying for residence in the Canton of Geneva

A residence permit is a titre de séjour.

• Detailed information and downloadable application forms on the Canton of Geneva website (in French)
• See here for: EU/EFTA National
• See here for: Third country/Non-EU Nationals

1. If working as an employee: it is compulsory to present the following documents to the OCP (Office Cantonal de la Population) in Geneva within three months of arrival:

• An application form, completed and signed by the applicant and the employer, and the necessary documents requested in the form.
• Two passport photos with name on the back
• A copy of the identity document

2. To be self-employed: it is compulsory to present the following documents to the OCP in Geneva within three months of arrival:

• An application form and the necessary documents requested in the form
• A letter of motivation requesting authorisation, a CV and a copy of all relevant documents, such as business plan, contacts, degrees
• Two passport photos with name on the back
• A copy of identity document

3. Residence without income: it is compulsory for a person studying, looking for work, working outside Switzerland, paying rent or receiving a service to present the following documents to the OCP in Geneva within three months of arrival:

• An application form and the necessary documents requested in the form
• Documents proving financial situation
• Two passport photos with name on the back
• A copy of identity document
• Swiss health insurance certificate

Further Information

• Federal Office for Migration
• Switzerland-EU Integration Office
• Canton of Geneva
• AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Employment and Work Permits in Switzerland

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