Residence Permit

Working in Switzerland or remaining in the country for more than 3 months requires a permit. The permit is issued by the cantonal department for migration (Abteilung Migration). The community of residence is the first point of contact for almost all matters regarding residency in Switzerland. It forwards applications for residence permits to the migration service, which then decides on the application. There are short-term permits (up to 1 year), residence permits (limited to 1 or 5 years depending on nationality), settlement permits (permanent), and cross-border commuter permits.

• Short-term permit (L): This permit is for people residing in Switzerland for a limited time (usually 1 year) for a particular reason. Most citizens of EU-/EFTA countries who have evidence of a work contract with a duration between 3 months and 1 year are entitled to this permit.
• Residence permit (B): This permit is for people residing in Switzerland for an extended period of time. Most citizens of EU-/EFTA countries are entitled to this permit if they have a work contract with a duration exceeding 1 year. EU-/EFTA citizens receive permits for a duration of 5 years. Citizens of other countries receive permits for a duration of 1 year after which an extension must be applied for. The extension may be granted under certain conditions, such as that applicants take German classes. Applicants are not entitled to an extension. Reasons that may speak against an extension include, for example, a criminal offence or dependency on welfare. Recognised refugees are also granted B permits.
• Settlement permit (C): This permit is granted following 5 or 10 years of Swiss residency. Here, too, different conditions apply to persons from EU/EFTA states and third countries.
• Provisionally admitted foreigners (F): This permit is granted to asylum seekers who have not been officially recognised as refugees, but have been provisionally admitted. This permit must be renewed every year.

Foreigners living in Switzerland are provided with a biometric foreigner's identity card (Ausländerausweis). These cards are outfitted with a data chip containing a photography (portrait image). Dependent on the type of residence permit, fingerprints are also stored on the chip. The biometric data is collected at the biometric registration centre in Glarus. On this occasion the Department of Migration will issue an invitation to schedule an appointment at the biometrical registration centre. All new identity documents will be sent home by registered mail. In the event of theft or loss of the identity card, the police must be informed immediately.

According to the type of permit and citizenship, the process of applying for an extension may differ. If an extension is necessary, a form is issued (Verfallsanzeige). This form must be completed and submitted to the community of residence with a valid passport at least two weeks before the permit expires. The fees will be collected on this occasion. The community of residence will forward the application to the cantonal Department for Migration (Abteilung Migration). The department verifies whether all requirements for an extension are met. In the event of any questions the commune of residence and the Department for Migration will provide information.

Those who have lived in Switzerland for ten years may submit an application to obtain a federal naturalisation licence. The years a person has spent in Switzerland between the ages of 8 and 18 count double. A sufficient period of residency in Switzerland, German language proficiency, integration and a good financial and legal standing are important requirements for naturalisation.

Under certain legal requirements, simplified naturalisation is mainly open to foreign spouses of Swiss citizens and the children of a Swiss parent. The federation is solely responsible to taking naturalisation decisions in the case of simplified naturalisation.