Moving & permits
Understanding L, B and G permits when considering a job
L, B and G describe different residence or cross-border arrangements. The same letter can sit within different legal regimes. Employers need an accurate account of your current status, including whether you already hold the permit or expect to apply for one.
Editorial review: 16 October 2026
Understand the EU/EFTA framework
For EU/EFTA employees, an L permit generally relates to employment lasting more than three months and less than a year. A B permit normally covers employment of at least a year or unlimited duration and is generally issued for five years. Short employment can fall under notification rules. SEM also describes L permits for job seekers, so the purpose of issue matters alongside the letter.
Distinguish residence and commuting
The G EU/EFTA permit concerns people residing in an EU/EFTA state and working in Switzerland, with return to their main foreign residence at least weekly. It is a cross-border arrangement. A C permit is settlement status, with its own conditions; it is not simply the next contract-duration category. Before planning a household move, clarify your residence basis and any separate family applications.
Check third-country and individual conditions
Third-country admission follows different rules. SEM explains that changing jobs with an L permit is restricted, while B holders can generally change jobs subject to any explicit labour-market condition attached to their authorisation. Existing family-based rights can also affect the position. Present your nationality, permit purpose, expiry and proposed role to the competent canton when clarification is needed. Record the answer before agreeing a start date or resigning from an existing role.