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Japanese applicants · Swiss Confederation

L Permit — Short-Term Residence (Kurzaufenthaltsbewilligung) for Japanese citizens

By · Last reviewed:

Short-term work and residence permit for project-based or temporary assignments of up to 12 months — separate quota from the B permit.

Requires sponsorshipDoes not lead to permanent residencyUp to 12 months; can be extended once for up to another 12 months in exceptional cases.

This page covers the L Permit — Short-Term Residence (Kurzaufenthaltsbewilligung) specifically for Japanese applicants — including document requirements, consular procedures, and common issues specific to Japan. The route's general criteria are summarised below, but the current corridor-specific filing, visa-issuance, and entry position above can still determine whether the route is usable.

Processing time
3–8 weeks.
Government fees
Varies by canton — typically CHF 100–300.
Typical duration
Up to 12 months; can be extended once for up to another 12 months in exceptional cases.
Sponsorship required
Yes
Leads to permanent residency
No
Reviewed SEM ↗

Bilateral context

No nationality-specific treaty frameworks apply to this combination.

Consular processing: a Swiss Confederation consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence

Tourist entry vs. this route

Tourist-entry rules for Japanese nationals change periodically and are separate from the L Permit — Short-Term Residence (Kurzaufenthaltsbewilligung). Check the destination government's current entry guidance before travel.

Visa overview

The L permit is designed for temporary work assignments, project-based contracts, and seasonal work lasting up to 12 months. It draws from a separate federal quota pool (approximately 4,000 L permits/year for third-country nationals). Like the B permit, it requires employer sponsorship and a labour-market test. L permits do not lead directly to settlement and cannot be converted to B permits — a new application is required. The L permit is commonly used for intra-company transferees on short assignments, consultants, and project specialists.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Employer applies for L permit

    Same process as B permit but using the L permit quota. Employer documents the temporary nature of the assignment.

  2. Apply for entry visa and arrive

    With approval, apply for a D-type visa at the consulate.

  3. Work for the assignment duration

    The permit expires at the end of the contract or 12 months, whichever is sooner.

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Switzerland. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. Official guidanceEmployer
    Start the short-term permit process ↗

    Swiss employer files the cantonal application for a temporary assignment or project-based L permit.

    State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) · verified

  2. ChecklistApplicant
    Prepare the Swiss entry visa form ↗

    Applicant uses the official national visa form route after L permit authorisation is granted.

    State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) · verified

Not sure Swiss Confederation is right for you? Compare similar routes

Other countries offer work sponsored routes that Japanese nationals also apply to. See how they compare.

Frequently asked questions

Are Japanese citizens eligible for the L Permit — Short-Term Residence (Kurzaufenthaltsbewilligung)?+

Eligibility for the L Permit — Short-Term Residence (Kurzaufenthaltsbewilligung) is set by SEM. Japanese applicants must meet the general route criteria plus any nationality- or location-specific intake requirements described in the current corridor guidance above.

Where do Japanese applicants typically file the L Permit — Short-Term Residence (Kurzaufenthaltsbewilligung)?+

a Swiss Confederation consulate or visa application centre in your country of residence. Specific intake (online portal, biometrics centre, or in-country lodgement) is determined by SEM — confirm the current intake channel on the primary source linked above before filing.

Do Japanese applicants need a tourist visa for Swiss Confederation as well?+

Tourist-entry rules for Japanese nationals change periodically and are separate from the L Permit — Short-Term Residence (Kurzaufenthaltsbewilligung). Check the destination government's current entry guidance before travel.

Can an L permit be converted to a B permit?+

No. The L permit cannot be directly converted to a B permit. If you want to stay in Switzerland beyond the L permit duration for long-term employment, your employer must file a completely new B permit application — including a fresh labour-market test and quota check. The L permit time does not count toward the B/C permit residence requirements.

Is the L permit quota separate from the B permit quota?+

Yes. Switzerland maintains separate annual quotas for B permits and L permits for third-country nationals. An exhausted B permit quota does not affect L permit availability, and vice versa. However, both quotas are limited and competitive.

How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: SEM

Last checked: 8 July 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology

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