How to renew your Swiss B permit (2026 guide)

Step by step

1. 1

   1. Check the expiry date on your card

   Open your physical permit card and confirm the 'Gültig bis / valable jusqu'au / valido fino al' date. Set a calendar reminder 90 days before. Most cantonal migration offices send a reminder letter 6–8 weeks ahead, but the legal responsibility is yours — not theirs — and a missed reminder is not a valid excuse.

2. 2

   2. Confirm you still meet the original conditions

   B-permit renewals are not automatic. The migration office checks that the reason your permit was issued still applies (employment, study, family reunification, retirement, etc.), that you have not become reliant on social assistance, and that your civil and criminal record are clean. Plan a separate conversation with your migration office in advance if you have moved cantons, changed civil status, lost a job, or had any contact with welfare or the criminal courts since your last renewal.

3. 3

   3. Gather the documents your canton requires

   Almost every canton asks for: a valid passport (at least 3 months beyond the new permit's end date), your current permit card, a recent passport photo meeting Swiss ID standards, proof of current address (rental contract or attestation from the Gemeinde), and proof of income (current employment contract plus 3 recent payslips, or pension statement, or proof of independent means). Cantons increasingly request a Betreibungsauszug (debt extract) for renewals after the first one — order it from your commune for around CHF 17–25; it takes a few days.

4. 4

   4. Submit the application before the expiry date

   Most cantons accept renewals online (Zurich, Geneva, Vaud, Basel-Stadt, Aargau, Lucerne and others run e-portals); some still require an in-person appointment. The day the application lands at the Migrationsamt is the day that counts, not the day they finish processing it. Keep the confirmation email or stamped receipt — it's your proof of legal status while you wait.

5. 5

   5. Pay the cantonal fee

   Fees vary by canton and permit subtype, typically CHF 70–200 for a standard renewal (children pay less, biometric card production adds a separate small fee). Most cantons charge a surcharge if you apply after the expiry date. Pay by QR-bill, e-banking or at the counter depending on the canton's process.

6. 6

   6. Provide biometric data if asked

   Non-EU/EFTA renewals normally require a fresh biometric appointment (fingerprints and a digital photo) because the FAIS biometric residence card is reissued every 5 years. EU/EFTA holders usually skip this — their cards are issued without biometrics under the AFMP.

7. 7

   7. Receive your new card and update everything

   The new card arrives by registered post in 2–8 weeks, sometimes longer in Zurich and Geneva. Once you have it, update your employer's HR file, your bank's KYC record, your insurance provider and (if relevant) your landlord — many leases require an up-to-date permit on file.