Most foreigners arrive in Switzerland with a short-term permit (L permit) or annually renewable residence permit (B permit). In the years following their arrival, they gradually progress to other, long-term types of residence status such as the settlement permit (C permit) or Swiss nationality.

As one would expect, those who already hold a B permit when they enter Switzerland remain in the country for longer than those who hold short-term permits. Of this first group, the majority of those who stay in Switzerland obtain a settlement permit after five years of residence. The proportion of naturalized persons in this population is also higher than among those who entered with an L permit. By contrast, those who hold a short-term permit are more likely to return to their country of origin (more than half leave Switzerland after just one year) and take longer to obtain a settlement permit.

These results clearly indicate that the different types of permit play the role assigned by migration policy to date – on the one hand to authorize a short-term stay (L permit), and on the other hand as the first stage of a longer term residence (B permit). The recent legislative changes mark a turning point in this respect, as the criteria for obtaining a settlement have become stricter.

It is worth noting that of those who arrived in Switzerland with a B permit, 41% left the country after twenty-two years.

How strong is the attachment to Switzerland and the country of origin?

Do migrants want to become naturalized?

How many migrants get naturalized over time?

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Definitions

L permit: short-term permit (up to 12 months)

B permit: residence permit (renewable annually)

C permit: settlement permit (after 5 or 10 years)

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Source: Swiss Federal Statistical Office, Central Register of Foreigners (1998–2007), CEMIS Register (2008–2010), STATPOP statistics (2010–2020)

Note on the methodology: The graph shows the type of residence permit held by persons who arrived over the course of one year holding a B or L permit (regardless of age on arrival or reason for entry). Only immigrants who were still in Switzerland at the end of the year are included. Those who stayed only for a short time are excluded. These people were monitored for fifteen years and at the end of each year a note was made of their current residence permit.

Terms of use: The Migration-Mobility Indicators are made available free of charge for non-commercial use. We ask the users to acknowledge the source.

Suggested citation: nccr – on the move, Migration-Mobility Indicators. Neuchâtel: nccr – on the move, 2022.

For more information about the data sets used, please click here.

Last update: 7 February 2022