Permit L short duration Thurgau: extension and renewal (cross-border guide)

Context

In brief

• Permit L valid for up to 1 year for work in Switzerland
• Renewable with agreement between employer and employee
• Transition to Permit B possible if the employment relationship continues
• Tied to the employer and the duration of the contract

Key facts

• What: Short-term Permit L (Bewilligung L)
• Maximum duration: 1 year, renewable
• Where: Canton of Thurgau (cantonal administration for approval)
• Who: Foreign citizens employed by Swiss employers
• Renewal: On joint request, if the employment relationship continues

The short-term Permit L is the first step for those intending to work in Switzerland. It allows foreign citizens to work for periods of up to one year, renewable. Nationally, the Permit L is regulated by the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) and federal ordinances on the labor market.

In Thurgau, as in the other 25 Swiss cantons, the administrative management of Permit L is the responsibility of the competent cantonal authority. There is no separate Thurgau Permit L — rather, the canton applies federal standards with its own procedures and decision times.

Maximum validity and constraints

The maximum validity of the Permit L is set at 1 year. Unlike the Permit B (residence, renewable every 5 years), the Permit L is strictly linked to three factors: the specific employer, the type of work activity, and the duration of the employment contract. You cannot change employers without a new permit application. If the contract ends, the right of residence ceases.

The actual duration of the permit may be less than one year if the employment contract is shorter. For example, a 6-month contract results in a 6-month Permit L.

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Operational details

Extension and renewal of the L permit

The extension of the L permit in Thurgau is done upon joint request: the employer and the employee must agree to continue the employment relationship and submit a new application to the cantonal migration service. It is not automatic. The renewal application must be received BEFORE the expiry of the current permit.

In practice, if your L permit expires on December 31, 2026, and you wish to continue with the same employer, both parties must sign and submit the renewal forms at least 30 days in advance — times may vary depending on the workload of the cantonal office. Once expired, there are no tolerance extensions: the right of residence ceases immediately.

Each renewal restarts the count: after the first L permit of 1 year, a second L permit is possible. However, if the employment lasts more than 2 years, it is more convenient to transition to a B permit, which offers greater job stability and flexibility.

Transition from L permit to B permit

The B permit (residence) represents a subsequent step in the progression of Swiss residence permits. It is renewable every 5 years (instead of 1 year) and offers greater flexibility in changing employers. The transition from L to B is not automatic: it must be requested from the cantonal migration service and evaluated based on stable criteria.

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Key points

How to request the L permit in Thurgau: step-by-step

Phase 1: Preparation (1-2 weeks before the start of work) 1. The employer collects documents: signed employment contract, copy of the candidate's passport, declaration of compliance with wage and safety regulations. 2. Check with the cantonal migration service whether the sector requires prior labor market assessment (common for construction, catering, domestic services). 3. Fill out the official application form (downloadable from the official cantonal website turgovia.ch or requested from the office).

Phase 2: Submission of the application The application must reach the competent service at least 4 weeks before the start date of work (to allow for processing). Processing times vary: generally 2-4 weeks for non-critical sectors, up to 6-8 weeks if prior assessment is necessary.

Phase 3: Processing and approval The cantonal office verifies the documentation, contacts the employer for confirmations, and issues the L permit (physical document or digital clearance). There are no federal administrative costs for issuing the L permit, although the canton may charge minimal administrative fees (variable by canton).

Phase 4: Registration with the Municipality Once the L permit is received, the worker must register with the Municipality or the Population Office of the place of residence within 14 days of arrival. This step is mandatory to access basic services (LAMal, bank account, insurance).

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