All-Visas
L Permit — Short-Term Residence
work · Switzerland
The L permit authorises stays of 3 to 12 months matching the employment-contract term. For third-country nationals the same qualification, precedence and customary-pay rules as the B permit apply (Art. 19–21 FNIA). 2026 federal cap: 4,000 L permits for third-country gainful employment. Contracts under 3 months in a calendar year use the online notification procedure (90 days/year) and do not need a permit.
- Minimum stay / validity
- 3–12 months
- Processing time
- Cantonal
- Official source
- https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/themen/aufenthalt/eu_efta/ausweis_l_eu_efta.html
Requirements & criteria
- [Mandatory] Sponsoring employer in the country
- [Mandatory] Concrete job offer / employment contract
- [Mandatory] No criminal record
- [Mandatory] Contract 3–12 months
- [Bonus] Qualified-worker / manager / specialist standard