Probability of obtaining a C permit

A settlement permit offers persons of foreign nationality a considerable degree of mobility on the labour market. It thus increases their equality of opportunity compared with the native population and provides them with considerable security regarding their stay. An assured long-term right of stay is generally a prerequisite for successful integration (and also the result of successful integration).

In Switzerland, the share of persons holding a residence permit (B permit) that obtained a settlement permit (C permit) in 2019 was 20%. The rate was lower if the person holding a B permit was born in Switzerland (15%) and higher if the person was born abroad (21%).

Among those who had held a B permit for 4 years, the rate of obtaining a settlement permit decreased by 12.7 percentage points between 2012 and 2019. The decrease was greater among persons born abroad than those born in Switzerland (-13.3 percentage points compared with -4.7 percentage points). The latter group, however, continued to show the lowest rates of the two population groups.

Generally, the probability of obtaining a settlement permit primarily depends on the person’s nationality (other factors such as an assessment of their degree of integration, whether they are married to a Swiss national, etc. are also explanatory).

Regardless of whether they were born in Switzerland or abroad, citizens from the EU28 and EFTA countries had the greatest likelihood of obtaining a settlement permit. If born in Switzerland, the rate was 25%: the likelihood was even greater if they were born in a foreign country (29%). Persons from other European countries and the rest of the world have a rate that is 2.8 to 4.5 times lower (rates between 6% and 10%). This low likelihood of obtaining a settlement permit among the population originating from other countries worldwide is due to the stricter conditions for obtaining a C permit. As a general rule, the waiting time is longer (at least ten years of residence in Switzerland).

Compared with the Swiss average of 20%, the C permit acquisition rate for the canton of Ticino was 15 percentage points higher. By contrast, the cantons of Uri, Obwalden, Glarus and Graubünden had rates that were at least ten percentage points lower.

The data broken down by place of birth indicate differences in the likelihood of obtaining a C permit. In the majority of cantons, as for the Swiss average, it was persons born abroad who had higher rates compared with those born in Switzerland. In the canton of Fribourg, the difference by place of birth was the greatest: persons born abroad who held a B permit had a 26% chance of obtaining a settlement permit while the rate was 12% for those born in Switzerland. By contrast, in the cantons of Schwyz, Nidwalden, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Graubünden and Thurgau, holders of a B permit who were born in Switzerland had the greatest likelihood of obtaining a settlement permit.