Residence permit
A residence permit authorizes a foreign national to live in Switzerland for a defined status, duration and purpose, often with work conditions.
A Swiss residence permit records the legal basis on which a foreign national may stay, such as employment, study, family reunification, protection or settlement. The permit type affects duration, renewal, labour-market access, mobility, family rights and integration expectations. EU/EFTA nationals benefit from specific free-movement rules, while third-country nationals usually face stricter admission criteria and quotas for work. Holding a permit does not make all changes automatic: moving canton, changing employer or losing the underlying purpose may require notification or approval.