Permits & visas · 6 guides
Plain answers on B, L, C and G permits, the 2026 quotas and what to do when a renewal goes wrong. Then an immigration consultant, if you want one.
Free for you — agencies pay for introductions, not for ranking.
EU and EFTA citizens register at the commune and can usually start work within weeks. Everyone else needs a permit their employer applies for, from a yearly quota: 4,500 B and 4,000 L permits in 2026. Permanent residence (the C permit) comes after 5 years for EU/EFTA citizens and usually after 10 for others.
Start with the work permit guide, then read the guide for your situation: renewing a B permit after a job loss, extending an L permit, switching from L to B or applying for a C permit. If your file has a gap, an immigration consultant checks it before the canton does.
| Fact | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent residence (C permit) | After 5 years for EU/EFTA citizens, usually after 10 for others | C permit guide, as of 20 May 2026 |
| Language level for a C permit | A2 spoken, A1 written (standard track) | C permit guide, as of 17 Jun 2026 |
| Non-EU quotas, 2026 | 4,500 B and 4,000 L permits | Federal Council, as of 19 Nov 2025 |
| Non-EU L permit | 24 months at most, then a one-year break | L permit guide, as of 25 Jun 2026 |
| Appeal against a refusal | Within 30 days | B permit guide, as of 24 Jun 2026 |
| Agencies on ReloFinder that handle permits | 36 | ReloFinder directory, as of 27 Sep 2026 |
Each figure links to its source: an official page, a published price list, a guide or the ReloFinder directory.
Start with the first one. Most open with the short answer, and each shows when it was last updated.
How B and L permits work for EU/EFTA and non-EU citizens, step by step, with the quota numbers.
ReadWhen you can settle for good: after 5 years for EU/EFTA citizens, usually 10 for others, plus the language levels.
ReadLost your job on a B permit? What EU and non-EU holders face at renewal, and what to do in the first days.
ReadNon-EU L permits stop at 24 months. When an extension works and how to switch to a B in time.
ReadThe application itself: documents, the A2/A1 language rule and the gaps that delay approval.
ReadConverting an L to a B without leaving: file at least 30 days before expiry, and mind the quota.
ReadThe top 4 for immigration & permits: partner agencies we work with directly, whose client work and response times we know, each with at least 10 Google reviews. Not ranked among themselves. No agency can pay to rank.
Zurich · EN DE FR
Clients mention 8 consultants by name
“From day one, Corinne provided exceptional service during our recent relocation. She was friendly, organized, and so helpful when it came to paperwork and registration. Corrine communicates…”
Zug · EN DE FR
“Silvia from Prime Relocation did an outstanding job. We were very happy with the service.”
Zurich · EN DE FR IT ES
Clients mention 1 consultant by name
“Relonest is the best relocation service for Zürich. Arabella and the whole team did a fantastic job in supporting me on the apartment scouting and migration process and really made a…”
Geneva · EN FR DE IT
“Welcome Service did an excellent job understanding our needs, helping us find a place, and helping us to settle in.”
Go further: Agencies that handle permits · All relocation agencies, ranked · How we rank agencies
Two minutes of questions, then a consultant from one of our partner agencies gets in touch. Free, with no obligation.
