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1 program for Switzerland. Explore the options and get an expert assessment.
Switzerland's permanent settlement status, granting open-ended residence and the broadest rights short of citizenship. Generally available after 10 years of residence for third-country nationals, or after 5 years for EU-15/EFTA nationals and certain integration cases.
The C permit is Switzerland's permanent settlement status, granting open-ended residence and the broadest rights short of citizenship; it is generally available after 10 years of residence for third-country nationals, or 5 years for EU-15/EFTA nationals and certain integration cases.
Family reunification lets close family join a person living in Switzerland, but the conditions depend heavily on the sponsor's permit type and nationality — EU/EFTA and settled (C) sponsors enjoy broader rights than holders of short-term or study permits.
There is no dedicated startup or investor visa in Switzerland; non-EU/EFTA entrepreneurs apply under the self-employment route and must show the business serves Switzerland's overall economic interest, subject to the same quotas and labour-market rules as employment.
Permanent residence is the settlement (C) permit, generally available after 10 years of residence (or 5 years for EU-15/EFTA nationals and strong-integration cases); ordinary naturalisation then typically requires a C permit and at least 10 years of residence.
Usually after 10 years of residence, or 5 years for EU-15/EFTA nationals and some strong-integration cases.
The national (D) visa is the long-stay visa that visa-required third-country nationals need to enter Switzerland for stays over 90 days, issued by the Swiss representation abroad only after the underlying residence or work permit has been approved by the canton and SEM.
Ordinary naturalisation requires a settlement (C) permit and at least 10 years of residence in Switzerland (three within the five years before applying), plus successful integration; cantons and communes set additional residence and integration conditions.
EU/EFTA citizens move to Switzerland under the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons with no quota or labour-market test; an L permit matches a contract of 3–12 months, while a B permit (valid five years, renewable) covers contracts of 12 months or longer.
Take the assessment or ask Acey, our immigration assistant.
Immigrate (Permanent Residence) — Switzerland