B permit in Lausanne and Vaud

The SPOP procedure

EU/EFTA nationals. The residence permit follows registration at the foreigners' office of the municipality of residence, which forwards the file to the SPOP. The canton of Vaud describes the B permit as valid for 5 years, renewable, for EU/EFTA nationals.

Third-country nationals (including UK nationals since 2021). The visa application goes to the Swiss embassy or consulate in the country of residence; once in Switzerland, the arrival is registered with the residents' registry. For these nationals, the canton of Vaud describes the B permit as valid for 1 year, renewable.

While the file is being reviewed, a certificate can be issued on request to prove the stay, or even permission to work. The canton offers an online eligibility questionnaire (information only, not a decision).

Registering in Lausanne and Vaud

In the canton of Vaud, the process starts at the municipality: EU/EFTA nationals staying more than three months register with the foreigners' office / residents' registry of their municipality, which lists the documents to provide. Third-country nationals enter with a visa issued by the Swiss embassy or consulate, then register with the residents' registry. The file is then handled by the Population Service (SPOP), and progress is checked with the municipality's foreigners' office.

Who can get a B permit in Lausanne and Vaud?

The B permit is the residence permit for foreign nationals living in Switzerland long-term for a set purpose (work, study, family, living without work). For EU/EFTA nationals with a contract of at least one year it is valid for five years; for third-country nationals it is issued for one year and renewed.

• B permit for EU/EFTA nationals
• B permit for non-EU nationals
• B permit for UK nationals

Work

EU/EFTA B permit holders have occupational and geographical mobility. For third-country nationals, the permit is tied to the work the canton has authorised.

Renewal

The canton sends an expiry notice before the permit runs out. In Geneva, the OCPM gives an average of 3 months for a renewal with no change of situation.