When do I need to have my permit renewed?

Submit the application to the cantonal migration office no later than 14 days before the existing permit expires (art. 59 OASA). Recommendation: allow 4–8 weeks’ lead time to mitigate potential processing delays. B residence permit: 2 years’ validity (for third-country nationals) or 5 years (for nationals of countries with which Switzerland has a Freizügigkeitsabkommen). L short-term permit: 3, 6 or 12 months.

How much time do I have to file an appeal?

30 days from the date of notification of the decision (art. 50 FVAG, art. 100 FAC). The deadline is strictly enforced – failure to meet the deadline means that the legal avenue is closed. If the deadline is not met or there is a procedural error: a 10-day period for reinstatement may be possible (art. 24 FVAG). The appeal must be submitted in writing, with reasons and supporting documents.

How quickly must I register after entering the country?

Within 14 days of entry, register with the municipality of residence (art. 12 FNIA). Failure to do so: fines in accordance with art. 120 FNIA, which may lead to refusal of the permit. In the event of a change of residence within Switzerland: the same 14-day deadline applies for registration and deregistration.

By when can I apply for family reunification?

Third-country nationals (art. 47 LEI): within 5 years from the date of approval of the main applicant’s application, and within 12 months for children over 12 years of age. EU/EFTA nationals (AFMP): no fixed deadline, but prompt submission of the application is recommended. Late applications are only possible in the event of important family reasons (art. 47 para. 4 LEI).

Immigration Law: Deadlines in Switzerland — Extension, Appeal, Registration of Arrival.

Purpose of this table

The following overview lists the deadlines that frequently occur in Swiss immigration law. It does not replace the examination of the specific deadline in each individual case, nor does it replace consultation with a lawyer. In particular, the calculation of the deadline's start date is often the most difficult legal question – for example: when is a ruling considered to have been "served"? See procedure/proc_appeal_pathway.md as well as the relevant case law of the Federal Supreme Court and the Federal Administrative Court.

The deadlines are grouped according to life events.

9. Rules for Calculating Deadlines (Overview)

Start of the deadline for rulings: on the day after delivery (Art. 20 para. 1 VwVG). Delivery is typically deemed to have taken place on the 7th day after the first attempt at collection in the case of registered mail (Art. 20 para. 2bis VwVG), and in the case of ordinary post, according to the records.

Time limits expiring on Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays will only expire on the next working day (Art. 20 para. 3 VwVG).

10. What this table does NOT replace

The calculation of the specific deadline in each individual case — in particular, when a ruling is served with an unclear date of receipt.

The review of cantonal procedural deadlines, which frequently differ from the federal standard in immigration law.

Legal assistance in drafting an appeal within the applicable deadline.

The individual assessment of whether an important family reason exists, as referred to in Article 47(4) of the Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration.

For every open or impending deadline, the following applies: seek legal advice immediately, not just shortly before the deadline expires. The SIP lawyers' list in /legal-board provides an initial consultation in the language and in the place of residence of the person using the service.

Related files

procedure/proc_appeal_pathway.md

HARD GLOSSARY — non-negotiable Swiss federal codes / agency names.

Last updated: 19.05.2026 — AI initial draft. This file must be reviewed by the lead attorney of record before its initial live deployment (ADR-018 D3) and verified quarterly against the applicable federal and cantonal deadlines. If a deadline changes at the federal level, the SLA documented in framework/fw_sem_directives_index.md applies to the update of the four canonical language versions.

As of: 01.06.2026 · Snapshot

Reflects the cited law as of the snapshot — not a check of current force.

Registration with the municipality of residence	Entry with intention to reside for ≥3 months	14 days from date of entry, before starting work	FedlexArt. 12 AIG (SR 142.20) in conjunction with Art. 9 OASA (SR 142.201)	Administrative fine; late registration may delay the granting of a permit
LAMal registration (health insurance)	Taking up residence in Switzerland	3 months from taking up residence	Art. 3 KVG (SR 832.10)	Compulsory registration by the canton with an insurer of its choice; retroactive premium obligation from the date of taking up residence
AHV registration (old age and survivors' insurance)	Taking up residence or starting employment	Immediately (registration via employer when starting employment; otherwise self-registration with the cantonal compensation office)	Art. 1a AHVG (SR 831.10)	Contribution gap; retroactive claim; risk of fines for self-employed persons
Obligation to report change of address within the municipality	Change of address	typically 14 days (regulated at cantonal level; standard)	FedlexArt. 15 AIG; cantonal registration laws	Administrative fine; permit data outdated (risk in the event of a later extension)
Change of canton	Change of canton of residence	Apply for a new permit before moving	FedlexArt. 37 AIG	Loss of permit in the canton of departure; new application procedure; for B/C permits: separate requirements

Extension of residence permit (B, L)	Expiry date approaching	Recommended 3 months before expiry (cantonal practice 2–4 months)	FedlexArt. 33 AIG; cantonal procedural rules	Late submission possible, but risk of expiry according to FedlexArt. 61 AIG in case of prolonged inaction + stay abroad
Expiry of permit due to stay abroad	Absence from the country without an application for extension	6 months for B and C; extendable to up to 4 years upon request (Art. 61 para. 2 AIG)	FedlexArt. 61 AIG	Permit expires automatically; re-entry as a third-country national or EU/EFTA national without reference to acquired legal status
Appeal against a revocation/removal ruling	Notification of the ruling	30 days	FedlexArt. 50 VwVG (SR 172.021); FedlexArt. 108 AsylG for asylum rulings, 5 or 30 days depending on the type of procedure	Ruling becomes final; enforcement of the removal
Restoration of the appeal period	Failure due to an unavoidable obstacle	30 days after the obstacle has ceased	FedlexArt. 24 VwVG	Deadline finally missed; ruling becomes final

Family reunification: spouse/children of B permit holders	Marriage or acquisition of the B permit — whichever is later	5 years	Art. 47 para. 1 AIG	Reunification only possible on the basis of "important family reasons" according to Art. 47 para. 4 AIG; restrictive practice
Family reunification: children over 12 years of age of B permit holders	As above, but for children aged 12 and over	12 months from the start of the entitlement	Art. 47 para. 1 in conjunction with para. 3 AIG	Reunification only possible on the basis of "important family reasons"
Family reunification: C permit holders / Swiss citizens	Marriage or birth	The same deadlines apply by analogy (Art. 42 in conjunction with FedlexArt. 47 AIG); separate regulations for EU/EFTA citizens in the AFMP	Art. 42-44 AIG; AFMP Annex I Art. 3	As above
Permit retention after dissolution of the family community	Separation/divorce	Entitlement to permit extension after 3 years of marriage + successful integration OR in the event of important personal reasons (violence, hardship case)	FedlexArt. 50 AIG; Art. 77 OASA	Loss of permit; risk of removal; hardship application according to FedlexArt. 30 AIG remains open

L permit maximum duration	Initial issue	12 months, may be extended to a maximum of 24 months in exceptional cases	FedlexArt. 32 AIG	Permit expires; departure or transition to B permit (if requirements are met)
B to C transition EU/EFTA	Continuous residence in Switzerland	5 years	Art. 34 para. 2 AIG in conjunction with AFMP Annex I Art. 12 (EC/EFTA settlement permit)	Transition is not automatic; application required; requirement: integration requirements must be met
B to C transition third-country nationals	Continuous residence in Switzerland	10 years (standard); may be reduced to 5 years in cases of particularly successful integration (Art. 34 para. 4 AIG)	FedlexArt. 34 AIG	Application possible at any time after the expiry of the period, but no legal entitlement unless there are special circumstances
F to B transition	Provisional admission (F) continuously	5 years	Art. 84 para. 5 AIG	Application possible, granting of permit at the discretion of the cantonal authorities

Ordinary naturalisation — residence requirement (federal)	Residence in Switzerland	10 years cumulative (residence between the ages of 8 and 18 counts double)	Art. 9 SCA (SR 141.0)	Application inadmissible
Ordinary naturalisation — residence requirement (canton/municipality)	Residence	Varies: typically 2-5 years at cantonal level + 2-5 years at municipal level (standard practice; cantonal provisions in `framework/fw_cantonal_acts_index.md`)	Art. 18 SCA in conjunction with cantonal Swiss Citizenship Acts	Application inadmissible
Facilitated naturalisation — spouse of a Swiss citizen	Duration of marriage + residence in Switzerland	3 years duration of marriage + 5 years residence in Switzerland (including 1 year immediately prior to the application)	Art. 21 SCA	Application inadmissible under the facilitated procedure; the ordinary procedure remains open
Reintegration of former Swiss citizen	Loss of citizenship through marriage (before 1992) or rejection of children	Application admissible at any time; certain circumstances subject to a 10-year bar	Art. 24-25 SCA	Application refused in exceptional cases
Annulment of citizenship after obtaining it by fraud	Act of fraud	8 years after grant (absolute deadline)	Art. 36 SCA	Annulment no longer possible

Deadlines — Overview table

Deadlines Table: Swiss Immigration Law — Overview

Purpose of this table

1. Registration of arrival and taking up residence

2. Extension and expiry of permits

3. Family reunification

4. Transitions in relation to permits

5. Naturalisation

6. Asylum Procedure

7. Schengen and Travel

8. Procedural deadlines for authorities

9. Rules for Calculating Deadlines (Overview)

10. What this table does NOT replace

4 answers on this topic.

22 statute citations, each linked directly.

Submit asylum application	Entry or stay	Immediately (no fixed deadline; however, a later application may affect credibility)	Art. 18 AsylA (SR 142.31)	Procedure possible later, but procedurally disadvantageous
Appeal against the decision not to admit (NEM)	Notification	5 working days in the accelerated procedure	Art. 108 para. 2 AsylA	Ruling becomes final; enforcement of removal
Appeal against the decision on the merits of the asylum application	Notification	30 days in the extended procedure	Art. 108 para. 1 AsylA	Ruling becomes final
Work permit as an asylum-seeker (N status)	Asylum application + 3-month waiting period	Commencement of employment at the earliest after 3 months from the date of application; permit required by the cantonal labour market authority	Art. 43 AsylA	Commencement of employment before the deadline is illegal; sanction according to FedlexArt. 115 AIG

Schengen stay without visa (third-country nationals)	Entry into the Schengen area	90 days in any period of 180 days	Art. 6 Schengen Borders Code (Regulation (EU) 2016/399)	Criminal offence under Art. 115 LEI/LStrI/FNIA; entry ban
Stay abroad with valid B/C permit	Leaving Switzerland	6 months without an application for extension (Art. 61 LEI/LStrI/FNIA); extendable upon request for up to 4 years	Art. 61 LEI/LStrI/FNIA in conjunction with Art. 79 OASA	Permit automatically expires after the deadline
Minimum passport validity for application for extension	Application submission	Passport must be valid beyond the expiry date of the desired extension (typically 3 months margin)	Standard practice of cantonal migration offices	Application will not be processed until passport is renewed

Official processing deadline for extension of permit	Complete application	No fixed processing deadline in the law; cantonal standard practice of 3-6 months	Art. 6 ECHR (proceedings within a reasonable time); cantonal	If there is excessive delay, an appeal may be lodged on the grounds of denial of justice (FedlexArt. 46a VwVG)
Finality of ruling	Expiry of the appeal period without an appeal	With the expiry of the 30-day period (FedlexArt. 50 VwVG)	FedlexArt. 39 VwVG	Ruling is no longer subject to appeal; enforcement
Enforcement of removal order	Finality	Official order for departure, typically 7-30 days; immediate in the case of coercive measures	Art. 64 ff. LEI/LStrI/FNIA	Coercive measures (preparatory detention, deportation detention)

Deadlines Table: Swiss Immigration Law — Overview

Purpose of this table

1. Registration of arrival and taking up residence

2. Extension and expiry of permits

3. Family reunification

4. Transitions in relation to permits

5. Naturalisation

6. Asylum Procedure

7. Schengen and Travel

8. Procedural deadlines for authorities

9. Rules for Calculating Deadlines (Overview)

10. What this table does NOT replace

Related files

When do I need to have my permit renewed?

How much time do I have to file an appeal?

How quickly must I register after entering the country?

By when can I apply for family reunification?

22 statute citations, each linked directly.

Related articles