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Changing jobs on a B permit

Written by Mohammed AliUpdated
Verified · Last updated 1 August 2026
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Step by step

  1. 1

    EU/EFTA: notify the migration office

    Under the Free Movement Agreement (AFMP/ALCP), EU/EFTA B permit holders can change employer, profession and canton freely. You still notify the cantonal migration office (Migrationsamt / Service de la population) of the new employer and address so the register stays current.

  2. 2

    Non-EU/EFTA: new employer applies first

    For third-country nationals under the Foreign Nationals and Integration Act (FNIA/AIG/LEI), the new employer must submit a fresh application to the cantonal labour market authority BEFORE you start. The labour market test (priority for Swiss/EU/EFTA candidates) and cantonal quotas normally apply again.

  3. 3

    Do not resign or start early

    Do not sign a new contract, resign from your current job, or begin work until the new authorisation is granted in writing. Starting work without authorisation is a criminal offence for the employer and can lead to your permit being revoked (Art. 62 FNIA).

  4. 4

    Changing canton at the same time

    A cross-cantonal move needs approval from the destination canton's migration office in addition to the labour authorisation. Apply before moving. Then re-register at the new Gemeinde within 14 days of moving in.

  5. 5

    If you lose your job

    Notify the migration office within the deadline stated on your permit letter (often 14 days). EU/EFTA citizens keep the right to reside while genuinely seeking work; the permit can be extended for job search under the AFMP. Non-EU/EFTA citizens face permit review if unemployment is prolonged.

EU/EFTA vs non-EU/EFTA: two completely different regimes

The Free Movement Agreement gives EU/EFTA nationals the right to take up employment or self-employment in Switzerland; the B permit is issued because you have a job, but it is not chained to that specific job. Third-country nationals fall under the FNIA/AIG/LEI, where the permit is granted to the employer's application for a specific role. Every time the role changes, the authorisation must be renewed. Confusing these two regimes is the most common cause of accidental permit breaches for mixed-nationality couples.

The sequencing rule that catches people out

Under the FNIA/AIG/LEI, work may only begin once the cantonal decision is issued. In practice this means: sign an offer that is explicitly conditional on migration approval, keep working at your current employer, wait for the written decision from the Migrationsamt / Service de la population, and only then resign. Employers who let non-EU/EFTA staff start early risk fines and future application refusals; the employee risks permit revocation under Art. 62 FNIA.

Losing your job on a B permit

For EU/EFTA holders, Annex I of the AFMP protects the right to reside during genuine job search — typically six months, extendable if you can show serious efforts. For non-EU/EFTA holders, there is no equivalent right: prolonged unemployment, or reliance on social assistance, is a ground for non-renewal. Register with the RAV (regional employment centre) immediately — unemployment insurance (ALV/AC) benefits require it and also help preserve integration criteria for later permit steps.

Notice periods and how they interact with the timeline

The Swiss Code of Obligations (Art. 335b–335c) sets minimum notice periods: 7 days during probation, 1 month in the first year of service, 2 months from years 2–9, and 3 months from year 10 — unless your contract lengthens them. If you're non-EU/EFTA, work backwards from the earliest date the new employer can realistically get authorisation, and time your resignation so you don't create an unpaid gap that could complicate permit renewal.

Your next step

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

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Non-EU/EFTA holders: starting a new job before written authorisation is illegal and is one of the fastest ways to lose a B permit.

Swiss statutory notice periods (Art. 335c CO) are 7 days during probation, then 1 month in year 1, 2 months in years 2–9, and 3 months from year 10 — unless your contract sets a longer period. Plan the resignation date around your new employer's authorisation timeline.

Long unemployment gaps can break the continuous-residence requirement for the C permit and for facilitated naturalisation.

People also asked

Do EU/EFTA citizens still need any paperwork to change jobs?

There's no approval process, but you must keep the migration office's records up to date — send them the new employment contract and address. Your B permit stays valid; it isn't tied to a specific employer.

Does the labour market test apply every time a non-EU/EFTA holder changes employer?

In practice, yes. The new employer usually has to demonstrate again that no suitable Swiss or EU/EFTA candidate was available and that salary and working conditions match the local standard. Cantonal practice varies — some cantons are stricter than others.

Can I quit before authorisation is granted?

It's risky. If the new application is refused or delayed, you may be left with no job and a permit tied to your previous employment. Wait for the written decision before resigning.

Does a job change reset the C permit clock?

No — the 5- or 10-year clock is based on uninterrupted residence, not on a single employer. But prolonged unemployment or a permit downgrade can break continuity. See the B-to-C upgrade guide.

Read: Upgrade from B permit to C permit
What if I want to become self-employed?

EU/EFTA citizens have the right to take up self-employment and convert their permit accordingly. Non-EU/EFTA holders need a separate authorisation and must show the activity is in Switzerland's economic interest (Art. 19 FNIA).

Official sources for this guide

  1. SEM — Working in Switzerland
  2. Fedlex — Foreign Nationals and Integration Act (FNIA/AIG)
  3. ch.ch — Changing jobs as a foreign national

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