Residence permit

The Agreement on the Freizügigkeitsabkommen with the EU/EFTA allows you to live and work in Switzerland. A permit is required if the stay lasts longer than 3 months in a calendar year.

The following EU/EFTA permits are available:

• Permit L (short-term residence permit)
  
• Permit B (Residence Permit)
• Permit C (Settlement Permit)
• Permit G (permit for Grenzgänger )
  

Detailed information can be found here: Permits EU/EFTA Canton of St.Gallen

After entering Switzerland, you must personally register with the residents' Einwohneramt of your municipality and submit the application for a foreigner's permit (form A1).

The application will be reviewed and as soon as it has been approved, the Migrationsamt will issue the foreigner's identity card.

Submit an application

The application will be reviewed and you will receive a notification from the Migration Office.

For people from other countries (Drittstaaten ), the regulations for entry into Switzerland are more restrictive. 

It depends on how long your stay will be and for what purpose you want to enter Switzerland: for example, tourism, visiting, employment, family reunification or studying.

Detailed information can be found here: Authorisations from third countries

Submit an application before entering the country:

Submit an application

The permit must have been issued before entering Switzerland. 

You must submit your application for an extension of the residence permit directly to the Migration Office. 

Enclose the following documents with the application:

• current authorisation
  
• Passport of the country of origin (this must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the end of the period of stay)
• Notification from the cantonal migration authority that the permit is expiring (if you have received a notification)

You must submit the application for extension at least 2 weeks before the expiry of the validity .

Did you come to Switzerland via family reunification? Your residence permit may not be renewed if the person who is the reason for your residence permit dies. The same is true if you get divorced.

If you have a permanent residence permit (C permit), you can stay in Switzerland.

You can also stay in Switzerland with a B permit under certain conditions:

EU/EFTA nationals

You can apply for a residence permit in your name if you are gainfully employed or have enough financial means to support yourself.

Third country nationals

You can have your residence permit extended if:

• You have been married to your partner (Swiss or foreign) for at least 3 years and have lived together
• You are well integrated in Switzerland (good oral language skills and willing to work or study)
• an extension of the stay is necessary for important personal reasons (e.g. marital violence  or difficult return to the country of origin).

Persons who have been displaced from Ukraine due to the war receive Schutzstatus S in Switzerland.