C permit in Lausanne and Vaud

The SPOP procedure

The canton of Vaud has a dedicated page on converting a B permit into a C permit. Since 2019, federal law puts the emphasis on integration, in particular knowledge of the language spoken where the person lives (French in the canton). Progress is checked with the municipality's foreigners' office.

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 C permit in Lausanne and Vaud?

The C permit is the settlement permit: an open-ended, unconditional right of residence granted after five or ten years in Switzerland. It gives unrestricted access to the labour market. The SEM sets the date from which the canton can issue it.

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

Work

A C permit holder can take any job, employed or self-employed, without a permit.

Renewal

The right of residence is unlimited, but the residence card is renewed periodically by the canton. A long absence from Switzerland can cost the C permit; a leave of absence can be requested.