Types of Residence Permits in Switzerland (B, C, L, F, N)

Permit L: Short-Stay (art. 32 FNIA)

Temporary stay for a specific purpose (short-term employment, training). For EU/EFTA: for contracts under one year. Duration matches contract. Renewable under conditions.

Permit B: Residence (art. 33 FNIA)

Standard residence permit for long-term stay (work, family reunification, studies, retirement). EU/EFTA: five years, automatically renewed. Third-country nationals: typically one year, renewable (not automatic, art. 33 para. 3 FNIA). Employment change or cantonal move may require authorisation for third-country nationals.

Permit C: Settlement (art. 34 FNIA)

Most stable permit. Indefinite duration, unconditional. Requires typically ten years' regular residence, last five with a B permit (art. 34 para. 2 FNIA). May be reduced to five years for well-integrated persons or certain EU/EFTA nationals. Free to change employer, canton and activity. Revocable only for strict reasons (art. 63 FNIA).

Permit F: Provisional Admission (art. 83 FNIA)

For persons whose asylum claim was rejected but removal is unlawful, unreasonable or technically impossible. Not a true residence permit. May work (art. 85 para. 6 FNIA). Reviewed periodically. After five years, may request B permit if well-integrated (art. 84 para. 5 FNIA).

Permit N: Asylum Seeker (art. 42 AsylA)

For persons with pending asylum applications. Valid during procedure. Assigned to a canton, restricted mobility. Work access restricted (3-6 month waiting period). Ends with the asylum decision.

Permit G: Cross-Border Commuter

For workers residing in a neighbouring country's border zone and working in Switzerland (art. 35 FNIA). Must return home at least weekly.