B Permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung)
A B permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung) is temporary residence authorization issued by the canton where a foreign employee will work. It typically lasts one to five years and is tied to that specific job. Your company must apply through your canton's migration office; Swiss law (Foreign Nationals Act) requires proof the role cannot be filled locally. The most common mistake: assuming the permit follows the worker if they change jobs—it doesn't.
When you hire a foreign national from outside Switzerland—whether EU/EFTA or further afield—they cannot legally reside and work here without the right permit. A B permit grants temporary residence tied to employment with your company in a specific canton.
The permit is neither automatic nor portable. Your involvement is mandatory, and canton rules vary. Understanding your obligations upfront avoids delays, penalties, and hiring disruptions.
When a B Permit Applies
You need to initiate a B permit application whenever you employ someone who is not a Swiss citizen, EU/EFTA national with an existing residence, or holder of a valid permit. The canton where the employee will work is always the issuing authority—not where your company is registered.
EU/EFTA citizens have streamlined rules; non-EU nationals (including UK nationals post-Brexit) require full assessment. The process typically takes 4–8 weeks but varies by canton. Plan ahead: the foreign employee cannot start work until the permit is approved.
- B permit is issued by the canton where the employee will work, not your company's canton
- Applies to all non-Swiss nationals without existing Swiss residence rights
- Tied to your company and the specific role—changes to either require a new permit
- Valid for 1–5 years; renewal requires employer support and continued employment
- EU/EFTA nationals have different, faster procedures than other foreign nationals
- Your application must demonstrate the role cannot reasonably be filled by a Swiss or resident worker
Your Legal Obligations
Swiss law (Bundesgesetz über die Ausländerinnen und Ausländer, the Foreign Nationals Act) requires your company to apply for the permit and support the application with documentation. You must provide proof of the employment contract, job description, salary (no lower than the collective agreement or local market rate), and evidence the role was advertised to Swiss/resident workers first.
Each canton has a migration office (Amt für Migration, Ufficio dell'Immigrazione, etc.) with specific forms and submission procedures. Non-compliance risks permit denial, employer fines, and employment termination. A lawyer should confirm cantonal-specific rules if you are unsure.
- Employer must initiate and fund the B permit application through the canton's migration office
- Provide employment contract, job description, and proof of salary alignment with market rates
- Demonstrate the role was offered to Swiss and resident workers (advertising requirement varies by canton)
- Pay any processing fees (typically CHF 150–500 depending on canton)
- Inform the employee they cannot work until the permit is formally approved
- Keep permit documentation accessible; canton may audit compliance during employment
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The single most costly mistake: assuming the employee can start work while the permit is pending. They cannot. Even with a signed contract, starting before approval is illegal for both you and the employee and may result in employment termination and fines.
A second frequent error: expecting the permit to transfer if the employee changes jobs or moves to another canton. Each change requires a new application. If you promote an employee to a different role or location, or if they move cantons, inform your migration office and allow 4–8 weeks for processing.
- Do not allow the employee to start work before the permit is approved in writing
- Do not assume the permit transfers if the employee changes roles, cantons, or employers
- Do not rely on verbal approval from the migration office; wait for written confirmation
- Do not omit documentation of advertising efforts; some cantons require proof of local recruitment
- Do not delay renewal applications; if the permit expires, employment must stop
- Do not understate the salary in the application; it must reflect genuine market rates or collective-agreement minima
Frequently asked questions
- Can an employee start work while their B permit application is being processed?
- No. Under Swiss law, foreign nationals cannot legally work without an approved permit. Even with a signed contract, beginning work before written approval is issued is illegal and may result in termination, fines, and deportation. Plan hiring timelines to allow 4–8 weeks.
- What happens if a B permit holder changes jobs or moves to a different canton?
- The B permit is tied to your company and the specific canton. Any change of employer or canton requires a new application. The employee cannot legally start work in the new role or location until the new permit is approved. Coordinate with both migration offices.
- Who pays for the B permit application, and how much does it cost?
- The employer (your company) covers all costs. Processing fees range from CHF 150–500 depending on the canton. Some cantons charge additional fees for non-EU nationals. Check your canton's migration office website for exact fees before applying.
General information for Swiss employers, not legal advice. Have a lawyer confirm anything with legal consequences.