L Permit (Kurzaufenthaltsbewilligung)
An L permit (Kurzaufenthaltsbewilligung) is a short-term residence authorisation issued by Swiss cantons allowing a non-EU/EFTA worker to live and work in Switzerland for up to 12 months. It requires employer sponsorship, proof of a specific job offer, and compliance with wage and working condition standards. The L permit is renewable but not a path to permanent residence.
If you hire a qualified worker from outside the EU or EFTA—say an engineer from India or a software developer from Nigeria—they typically need an L permit to work legally in Switzerland. Your canton's immigration office (Amt für Migration, or equivalent) issues it, not the federal government alone.
The L permit is Switzerland's short-term work visa. It binds the worker to you and a specific role for up to 12 months, renewable year by year. It is not a step toward permanent settlement.
When you need an L permit
You need an L permit whenever you hire someone whose passport is not from an EU/EFTA country. This includes candidates from the US, UK (post-Brexit), India, China, Brazil, and most other nations outside the EEA.
The permit is tied to a specific employer and job. If your employee changes jobs or you terminate employment, the permit becomes invalid. This is a crucial point: your obligation does not end when someone leaves.
- Non-EU/EFTA nationals only; EU/EFTA citizens have free movement under bilateral agreements
- Requires a concrete job offer before the worker arrives
- Valid for one calendar year, renewable if conditions remain met
- Employer sponsorship is mandatory throughout employment
- Worker cannot change employers without new permit approval
- No spouse or dependent visas automatically granted; they need separate permits
Your obligations as the sponsor
Under Swiss employment law (Arbeitsgesetz, ArG) and federal immigration rules, you must offer wages matching the prevailing rate for that role and canton. If your region's construction collective agreement (GAV) sets CHF 28/hour minimum, you cannot pay less to a foreign worker.
You must also register the worker with cantonal social insurance (AHV/AVS, IV, UVG) and pay Quellensteuer (withholding tax) on their salary. Your canton's immigration office will ask for payroll documentation. If the worker is dismissed, you must notify the canton in writing within 14 days.
- Wages must meet cantonal and sectoral standards; no lower rate for foreign workers
- Register with AHV/AVS, IV, and UVG immediately—not optional
- Pay Quellensteuer (withholding tax) as required by your canton
- Keep signed employment contracts (Arbeitsvertrag) and payroll records for inspection
- Notify immigration office within 14 days if employment ends
- Renewal requires proof the worker still meets role and wage criteria
The single most common mistake
Employers often assume an L permit is automatically renewable or think the worker can change jobs freely. Neither is true. When renewal time approaches, you must apply again—and if you cannot justify the wage or the role is no longer needed, the canton may refuse. Many SMEs are surprised by rejection.
A second frequent error: failing to notify the immigration office promptly when someone leaves. Even if they resign, you are liable for timely notification. Silence can trigger compliance audits and penalties.
- Do not assume automatic renewal—apply 2–3 months before expiry
- Do not allow the worker to change employers or roles without new permit
- Do not treat L permit workers as contract staff; they have full employment rights
- Do not skip Quellensteuer or AHV registration, even for short-term roles
- Do not delay notifying your canton when employment ends
- Do not hire without a job offer letter signed in advance; the permit depends on it
Frequently asked questions
- Can an L permit holder work for two employers or do freelance work?
- No. The L permit is tied to one employer and one role. Side work or a second job requires written approval from the immigration office. Most cantons grant this only in exceptional cases. Always ask your canton first.
- How long does L permit approval take?
- Typically 2–6 weeks if your application is complete (signed contract, payroll plan, proof of housing, criminal clearance). Incomplete applications stall. Submit well before your worker's intended start date.
- If my L permit worker gets pregnant or sick, can she stay?
- The permit remains valid if she remains employed and registered with social insurance. Maternity benefits are covered by UV (mandatory accident insurance) and AHV. If she cannot work, she must not be arbitrarily dismissed; Swiss employment law applies equally. Consult a labour lawyer on long-term absence.
General information for Swiss employers, not legal advice. Have a lawyer confirm anything with legal consequences.