Swiss Confederation visas
Switzerland operates a dual system: EU/EFTA nationals benefit from the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP) with simplified procedures, while third-country nationals face strict quotas and labour-market tests. The cantonal migration offices (Migrationsämter) administer permits locally under federal SEM guidelines. Key permit types are B (residence), C (settlement/permanent), L (short-term), and G (cross-border commuter).
5 routes · 2 without a sponsor · 3 lead to settlement
Official portal
Primary source
State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) ↗ · State Secretariat for Migration (SEM)
Link last verified:
Regulators of immigration advice
- Swiss Bar Association (SAV) — Federation of cantonal bar associations regulating lawyers authorised to practise in Switzerland.
Visa routes (5)
B Permit — Third-Country National (Aufenthaltsbewilligung)
Annual residence permit for non-EU/EFTA workers with a Swiss employer — subject to federal and cantonal quotas and a full labour-market test.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 8 July 2026
L Permit — Short-Term Residence (Kurzaufenthaltsbewilligung)
Short-term work and residence permit for project-based or temporary assignments of up to 12 months — separate quota from the B permit.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 8 July 2026
C Permit — Settlement (Niederlassungsbewilligung)
Swiss permanent residence permit — unrestricted work rights, no employer sponsorship, granted after 5–10 years of continuous B permit residence.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 8 July 2026
Student Residence Permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung für Studierende)
Residence permit for international students at Swiss universities and higher-education institutions — limited work rights and a 6-month post-graduation job search extension.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 8 July 2026
Family Reunification (Familiennachzug)
Residence permit for spouses and children of B and C permit holders — conditions vary by the sponsor's permit type and nationality.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 8 July 2026
Planning life after your move?
Organise documents, arrival money, housing and the practical steps after visa approval. Your route conditions remain the starting point.
Frequently asked questions
How many visa routes does Swiss Confederation have?+
We cover 5 Swiss Confederation visa routes in these categories: sponsored work, general residence, study, and family. Each one links to its primary government source and carries a last-reviewed date.
Which Swiss Confederation visas do not need an employer sponsor?+
2 of the 5 Swiss Confederation routes we cover can be pursued without an employer sponsor, which helps if you do not have a job offer yet. The remaining 3 are employer-sponsored.
Which Swiss Confederation visas lead to permanent residence?+
3 of the 5 routes can lead to settlement or permanent residence; the others are temporary. Open each route for its settlement detail and qualifying period.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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