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Permit for people who work in Switzerland but live in a neighbouring country, returning home at least weekly. For employed EU/EFTA commuters the G permit matches the contract length (3–12 months) or is valid 5 years for longer/open-ended contracts.
Simplified residence and work rights for EU/EFTA citizens under the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons. No quota or labour-market test applies; an L permit matches a contract of 3–12 months, while a B permit (valid 5 years, renewable) covers contracts of 12 months or longer.
Switzerland's main route for third-country workers. Admission is capped by annual federal quotas (contingents), reserved for managers, specialists and other highly qualified professionals, and requires the employer to clear a labour-market test before a permit is granted.
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 long-stay national (D) visa that visa-required third-country nationals need to enter Switzerland for stays over 90 days, after a residence or work permit has been approved. The visa itself is issued by the Swiss representation abroad once the canton authorises it; SEM does not issue visas.
Acquisition of Swiss nationality by ordinary naturalisation. Requires a settlement (C) permit and at least 10 years of residence in Switzerland (three of them within the five years before application), plus successful integration. Cantons and communes set additional residence and integration conditions.
Permit allowing third-country nationals to establish or run their own business in Switzerland. There is no dedicated 'startup visa'; instead the applicant must show the activity serves Switzerland's overall economic interest, and the same quotas and admission rules for gainful activity apply.
