01 · Migration mandate
Filed Swiss migration applications, fixed-fee.
EU/EFTA registration at hourly rate. Third-country B-permit at CHF 1,490, L-permit at CHF 990. We assemble the dossier, file with the cantonal labour authority, and follow through to decision.
02 · Three migration tracks
EU/EFTA, third-country B-permit, L-permit short stay.
EU / EFTA registration
Free movement of persons under the FZA agreement. EU/EFTA nationals register with the cantonal Einwohnerkontrolle within 14 days of taking up residence (if stay > 3 months). We file CHF 250/hour, typical total 2–3 hours.
Third-country B-permit
Annual residence permit for non-EU/EFTA nationals. Subject to federal annual quota (~8,500). Self-employment requires economic-interest proof under FNA art. 19. We file the application at the cantonal labour-market authority. CHF 1,490 flat.
L-permit short stay
Up to 12 months. Useful for one-off mandates, project-based work, or as a bridging step before B-permit. CHF 990 flat covers application drafting and filing.
03 · Pricing
Flat-fee on third-country tracks.
| Service | Our fee | Market range |
|---|---|---|
| B-permit application (advice + filing) | CHF 1,490 | CHF 1,500–5,000 |
| L-permit (short stay) application | CHF 990 | CHF 1,000–3,000 |
| Migration consultation (hourly) | CHF 250 / hour | CHF 250–450 |
All fees excl. MWST. Cantonal application fees and federal SEM fees are passed through at cost (typically CHF 100–500 depending on permit type and canton).
04 · Mandate scope
Eligibility, dossier, filing, follow-through.
- Eligibility assessment (EU/EFTA vs third country, professional vs self-employed)
- Document checklist tailored to your nationality and intended activity
- Application form drafting in German, French or Italian as required by canton
- Filing with cantonal labour-market authority (Amt für Wirtschaft und Arbeit)
- Tracking and follow-up correspondence with the cantonal authority
- Coordination with SEM (State Secretariat for Migration) for federal-level approval where required
05 · Process
Eligibility → dossier → filing → decision.
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01
Eligibility
Confirm nationality track, permit type, supporting documents required. 1 working day.
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02
Document pack
Assemble passport, qualifications, employment contract or business plan, accommodation proof, source-of-funds for self-employment cases. 1–2 weeks (typically client-side).
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03
Filing
Cantonal labour-market authority intake. Federal SEM review for third-country self-employment cases. 4–12 weeks at the authorities.
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04
Decision
Permit issued (or refusal with reasons). For B-permit self-employment refusal we advise on appeal options or alternative structuring.
06 · FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
What is the difference between EU/EFTA and third-country migration to Switzerland?
Under the FZA bilateral agreement, EU/EFTA nationals enjoy free movement — they do not need a work permit before taking up Swiss employment or self-employment. They register with the cantonal Einwohnerkontrolle within 14 days. Third-country nationals (everyone else) need a B-permit (annual) or L-permit (short stay), subject to the federal quota system and labour-market priority test under the Foreign Nationals Act (FNA).
How long does the B-permit application take?
Six to twelve weeks at cantonal level for ordinary employment cases. Self-employment cases (FNA art. 19) add a federal SEM review and can run 12–24 weeks. The bottleneck is usually documentation completeness — incomplete files trigger requests for further information that reset the clock.
What is the "economic interest" requirement for self-employment?
Under FNA art. 19, third-country nationals seeking self-employment in Switzerland must show that their business contributes to the Swiss economy: investment, jobs created, innovation, or tax revenue. Cantons assess on a case basis. Strong applications include: minimum CHF 100k–500k investment, business plan with credible revenue projection, evidence of qualifications matching the activity.
Does forming a Swiss company entitle me to a B-permit?
No. Forming a Swiss GmbH or AG is a separate process from migration (see /services/company-formation/). Foreign founders may own 100% of a Swiss company without setting foot in Switzerland. The permit track is needed only if the founder personally wants to take up Swiss residence to manage the business.
When does the L-permit work?
L-permit fits short engagements: a 6–12 month consulting mandate, a project-based assignment, a "let me work in Switzerland for a year and decide" use case. It can also bridge to a B-permit if the assignment extends. Cheaper and faster to obtain than B-permit, but renewable only once.
What is the federal quota for B-permits?
Approximately 8,500 B-permits per year for third-country nationals across all cantons (2025 number). Quotas are split between cantons and reset annually. Quota exhaustion is rare in early-year filings; risk increases in Q4. We do not control quota timing but monitor it for advice on filing window.
07 · Get started
Tell us your nationality and the intended activity.
One-line brief: nationality, intended canton of residence, employed or self-employed, expected start date. We confirm the right track and the document checklist within 24 hours.