B Residence Permit (Annual Permit)
🇨🇭 Switzerland visas · Work
What it is
Switzerland tightly limits non-EU/EEA work permits through annual federal quotas. Employers must prove no suitable Swiss or EU/EEA candidate was available. The B permit is the main temporary residence and work permit.
Key facts
- Category
- Work
- Duration
- 1 year, renewable. C permit (settlement) after 5 years (10 years for some nationalities).
- Processing time
- 4 months
- Maximum validity
- 1 year
- Extendable
- Yes
- Path to permanent residence
- Direct route
- Dependants
- Conditional
- How to apply
- Embassy
- Health insurance
- Required
Standard figures for this route. Some applicants pay a reduced fee or none at all, so confirm your own case on the official page.
Fees
- Application fee (federal maximum; canton sets the actual fee)
- CHF 95
- Application fee (federal maximum (GebV-AIG Art. 8(2)(a)))
- CHF 22
- Application fee (federal maximum (GebV-AIG Art. 8(3)(a)))
- CHF 20
Key requirements
- Job offer from a Swiss employer who has applied for a permit through the cantonal migration office
- Employer must demonstrate no suitable Swiss, EU/EEA, or third-country national already in Switzerland was available (quota check)
- University degree or highly specialised professional qualifications
- Salary at or above the industry standard
- The permit allocation falls within the annual federal quota
Working on this visa
Residence admission with gainful employment under AIG Art. 33; working requires the authorisation (AIG Art. 11).
Bringing family
Spouse and children of a residence-permit holder may be admitted under AIG Art. 44 (cohabitation, housing, no social assistance).
Facts checked against the official source. Last updated 18 July 2026.