HowToSwiss

How to get a B permit

Written by Mohammed AliUpdated
Verified · Last updated 1 August 2026
CHF 100–200REQUIRED

Step by step

  1. 1

    Confirm your eligibility

    EU/EFTA: any employment contract of 12+ months. Non-EU: employer must prove no Swiss/EU candidate was available.

  2. 2

    Employer applies first

    For Non-EU, the employer files with the cantonal labor authority and federal SEM. Approval takes 4–12 weeks.

  3. 3

    Receive entry visa

    Non-EU only. Issued by the Swiss embassy in your home country after federal approval.

  4. 4

    Enter Switzerland and register

    Within 14 days, register at the Gemeinde. They start the permit issuance process.

  5. 5

    Receive the physical permit

    Credit-card-sized biometric card mailed in 2–8 weeks. Valid 5 years (EU) or 1 year renewable (Non-EU).

What is a B permit, exactly?

The B permit — formally the Aufenthaltsbewilligung in German, Permis de séjour in French, Permesso di dimora in Italian — is the standard Swiss residence permit for foreigners intending to live in Switzerland for more than one year. It is tied to a specific reason for staying (employment, family reunification, study), and it is canton-bound: you live and (usually) work in the canton that issued it. The B permit is the precursor to the C permit, which grants permanent residence and removes most of these restrictions.

Non-EU quota reality: why timing matters

For third-country nationals, B and L work permits are subject to annual federal quotas set by the Federal Council under Art. 20 FNIA/AIG/LEI. The ceilings are split into cantonal contingents that a canton draws on in the order files are received. Zurich, Zug, Vaud and Geneva regularly report tight or exhausted B contingents in the second half of the year, which can push otherwise valid files into the next annual cycle. If you have any flexibility on start date, filing early in the year materially raises approval speed. <!-- VERIFY: 2026 federal ceilings for B and L (Verordnung / Ordonnance published each December) -->

The labour-market priority test in practice

For non-EU/EFTA hires the employer must show that no suitable Swiss or EU/EFTA candidate was available (Art. 21 FNIA), and that pay and conditions match the local Swiss standard (Art. 22 FNIA). Cantonal labour offices expect: a documented RAV/ORP posting, market-visible adverts (jobs.ch, LinkedIn, specialist sites), a written recruitment log, and a reasoned justification linking the candidate's specific skills to the role. Weak evidence is one of the top three causes of refused or delayed non-EU B applications, alongside quota exhaustion and salary below the Swiss benchmark.

Renewal: don't miss the deadline

B permits do not renew automatically. EU/EFTA holders renew every 5 years; non-EU holders typically renew annually. Start the renewal process 2–3 months before expiry — your cantonal Migrationsamt will ask for an updated employment contract, proof of address, a current passport and the existing permit card. Letting your permit lapse without an active renewal application can lead to permit revocation and re-entry restrictions.

Family reunification, cross-canton moves and job changes

A B permit gives the right to family reunification, subject to housing, income and (for non-EU family) origin-country application rules; the family reunification guide covers deadlines and documents. Changing employer is straightforward for EU/EFTA holders and permit-triggering for non-EU/EFTA holders — start with the change-jobs guide. Cross-canton moves require prior approval of the destination canton for non-EU holders and re-registration within 14 days at the new Gemeinde.

B permit vs C permit: the key differences

The B permit is conditional and renewable; the C permit (Niederlassungsbewilligung) is permanent and largely unconditional. C permit holders can change jobs, cantons and self-employment status freely, can buy property without restrictions, and can apply for mortgages on the same terms as Swiss citizens. EU/EFTA citizens can usually apply for a C permit after 5 years of continuous residence; most non-EU citizens must wait 10 years (5 with strong integration in some cantons — see the B-to-C upgrade guide).

Related canton guides

Moving to ZurichMoving to GenevaMoving to Vaud

Your next step

Turn this guide into action — run the numbers for your own situation, then work through the deadlines for your canton.

Cost of living calculatorCompare living costs between cantons.Swiss tax calculatorEstimate your cantonal and federal tax bill.Permit finderFind the permit type that fits your case.Personalised canton checklistEvery deadline for your canton — free, no signup.

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People also asked

Can I travel outside Switzerland on a B permit?

Yes, B permit holders can travel freely within the Schengen area for up to 90 days. For non-Schengen countries, check visa requirements separately.

Can my spouse work with my B permit?

EU spouses can work freely. Non-EU spouses joining a B permit holder can work, but the employer may need a separate work authorization.

Read: Bringing your family to Switzerland
What happens if I lose my job?

You can stay and look for a new job. EU citizens keep the B permit for 6 months while job searching. Non-EU permits may be revoked if unemployment exceeds 12 months.

Read: Changing jobs on a B permit
How long until I can get a C permit?

EU/EFTA: after 5 years of continuous residence. Non-EU: typically after 10 years (5 in some cantons). You must demonstrate integration.

Read: Upgrade from B permit to C permit
Do federal quotas actually run out?

Yes — for non-EU/EFTA B and L permits the Federal Council sets annual national ceilings that are split into cantonal contingents (Art. 20 FNIA). In practice several attractive cantons run low or exhaust their B allocation by Q3–Q4. If your file lands late in the year, the canton can defer approval to the next quota cycle even when all other conditions are met. Timing your start date and having the employer file early materially matters. <!-- VERIFY: current year federal quota figures on sem.admin.ch -->

What does the labour-market priority test actually require for non-EU hires?

The employer must show that the position was seriously advertised to Swiss and EU/EFTA candidates and that none were suitable. Typical evidence: RAV/ORP job posting confirmation, print/online adverts on jobs.ch or LinkedIn, records of interviews conducted, and a reasoned explanation of why the non-EU candidate uniquely fits (specialist skills, seniority, language). Salaries and conditions must match the Swiss market for the role (Art. 22 FNIA).

How long is a B permit valid, and how is that different from renewal?

For EU/EFTA nationals the initial B is issued for 5 years if the employment contract is 12+ months open-ended; a 1-year contract gets a 1-year B. Non-EU/EFTA B permits are issued for 1 year and renewed annually. Renewal is a separate procedure; a valid card is not the same as an automatic right to renewal.

Read: How to renew your Swiss B permit (2026 guide)
Can I bring my family on a B permit?

Yes, subject to conditions on housing (a suitable dwelling for the family size), income (no reliance on social assistance) and, for non-EU family members, applications from the country of origin. Rules differ noticeably for EU vs non-EU sponsors — see the family reunification guide.

Read: Bringing your family to Switzerland

Official sources for this guide

  1. SEM — Federal migration
  2. ch.ch — Residence permits

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Related guides

How to renew your Swiss B permit (2026 guide)

Your Swiss B residence permit must be renewed before the date on the card. EU/EFTA permits are usually issued for 5 years and renewed for 5; non-EU/EFTA permits are typically issued for 1 year and renewed annually. Cantons run their own migration offices (Migrationsamt / Service de la population / Sezione della popolazione), so the exact form, fee and processing time vary — but the federal framework is the same everywhere. Start 2–3 months before expiry, because a delayed renewal can complicate everything from job changes to mortgage applications.

Read guide

Upgrade from B permit to C permit

The C permit (Niederlassungsbewilligung / autorisation d'établissement / permesso di domicilio) grants permanent Swiss residence. EU/EFTA citizens usually qualify after 5 uninterrupted years; most non-EU/EFTA nationals wait 10 years, with an early-settlement route for a handful of nationalities and for well-integrated applicants in many cantons.

Read guide

Changing jobs on a B permit

Changing employers on a B permit has different rules for EU/EFTA and non-EU/EFTA citizens. EU/EFTA citizens can switch freely; non-EU/EFTA citizens need their new employer to obtain authorisation before the first day of work.

Read guide

Register at your Gemeinde

Every person living in Switzerland must register with their local municipality (Gemeinde / Commune / Comune) within 14 days of arrival.

Read guide

Done with this? Next:

Register at your Gemeinde