Residence permit processing times
Two sources, never mixed: the times the cantonal offices publish themselves, and the times our readers report, published as a median from 5 answers.
Permit processing times in Geneva (OCPM)
Processing times published by the cantonal office (OCPM)
| Type of application | Indicative time |
|---|---|
| First permit application with employment (EU national) | 6 to 8 weeks |
| First permit application with employment (non-European national) | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Cross-border permit application | 3 months |
| Other permits without employment (EU national) | 3 months |
| Other permits without employment (non-European national) | 8 months |
| Student permit application | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Family reunification application | 6 to 8 months |
| Early C permit | 12 months |
| Leave of absence for C permit holders | 6 weeks |
| Renewal via expiry notice (or form K with no change of situation) | 3 months |
| Appointment for biometric data capture | 2 to 4 weeks |
Indicative times published by the OCPM, plus about 2 working days for incoming mail to be assigned. Source: OCPM — Average processing times of applications (published 21.09.2026) (in French).
Report your processing time
Got your permit? Tell us how many weeks you waited: answers feed the medians published on this page (shown from 5 answers).