Who issues the L permit in Grisons?

The cantonal migration office of the canton of Graubünden is responsible for issuing it, which acts on the basis of federal legislation (Foreigners and their Integration Act and the associated ASEO ordinance), taking into account the cantonal particularities in terms of the labour market and quotas. Prior federal approval is generally required for third-country nationals.

Can you change employer with L permit?

A change of employer, even within the same canton, requires a new cantonal application with reassessment of the case. The L permit is closely linked to the employer and the reason for the issuance; any substantial change in the conditions must be communicated to the cantonal migration office.

How do you go from permit L to permit B in Grisons?

The transition from the L permit to the B residence permit presupposes the elimination of the temporariness, for example with the conclusion of a permanent contract, and compliance with the conditions laid down by federal and cantonal legislation for the conversion of the title. The application must be submitted again to the competent cantonal office, which assesses the existence of the conditions.

What social security contributions apply to the L permit holder?

The employee with an L permit is affiliated to the AHV/AHV, to the BVG occupational pension scheme if the coordinated salary exceeds the entry threshold and to the compulsory unemployment and accident insurance. For employees, the AHV/IV/EO rate is 5.3% payable by the employee and 10.6% overall by the employer's share; the AD/HC contribution is 1.1% within the indexed annual ceiling.

Permit L in Graubünden: duration, extension and change of employer (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 30 August 2026

Graubünden canton: alpine village with seasonal workers

In the Canton of Graubünden, the L permit lasts up to 12 months, extensions only in exceptional cases and change of employer subject to new cantonal application.

Context

In a nutshell

L Permit: maximum duration of 12 months, not renewable as a rule
Issued by the Grison cantonal authorities for specific sectors
Change of employer subject to new cantonal application
Passage to permit B subject to regular stay and framework conditions

Key facts

What: Short-term permit (L) issued by the Canton of Graubünden
When: duration up to 12 months, extensions only in exceptional cases
Where: Canton of Graubünden (competent cantonal authority)
Who: workers from third States or, under certain conditions, from EU/EFTA States
Amount: variable cantonal release fee (to be verified on the Canton's website)
Regulatory reference: Federal Law on Foreigners and related ordinance (LEI/OASA), cantonal application
Constraint: the L permit is closely linked to the employer and the reason for the release

In Switzerland, the short-term L permit is the legal instrument designed to cover temporary work needs, with a maximum duration of twelve months. In the Canton of Graubünden, the issuance is the responsibility of the cantonal migration office, which acts on the basis of the relevant federal legislation (Law on Foreigners and their Integration, LEI, and related OASA order) taking into account the cantonal particularities, in particular in terms of the labour market and quota.

The Swiss procedure distinguishes two main strands depending on the nationality of the

Operational details

The L permit in Graubünden is distinguished from other residence permits by two structural characteristics: the limited duration and the constraint on the employer. The combination of these two elements defines the area of use of the title and clearly differentiates it from the residence permit B, which is renewable and not linked to a single use, and from the residence permit C, which presupposes a long-term stay (normally ten years of residence, reduced to five for EU/EFTA citizens).

From an operational point of view, the L permit is closely connected to the reason for the issue and the employer indicated in the application. Any substantial change in the conditions — change of company, change of duties, extension beyond twelve months — requires in principle a new cantonal application, with reassessment of the case. The extension beyond the end of the twelve months is only provided for in exceptional situations provided for by federal legislation, for example in the event of a documented illness or accident that prevents the conclusion of the activity on time.

Differences from permit B and concrete scenarios

The distinction between L and B has direct repercussions also in tax and social security matters. The holder of permit L, even if tax resident in the Canton of Graubünden, is subject to the ordinary Swiss structure, with direct federal tax (IFD), cantonal tax and municipal tax. The basis is income

Useful planning tools

To estimate your pension strategy, use the pension planner and the pillar 3 simulator.

Key points

Obtaining an L permit in the Canton of Graubünden requires following a precise procedural sequence, managed by the cantonal migration office. The application is not submitted by the individual worker, but by the future employer, who files the request by completing the required cantonal and federal forms and attaching the necessary documentation.

Step-by-step procedure for the employer

The first step is gathering the worker's documents (valid passport, CV, training certificates, signed employment contract) and providing a detailed description of the intended position. The employer must demonstrate the temporary nature of the employment and its financial coverage. This is followed by a check with the competent cantonal labor market offices, aimed at ascertaining the priority of workers already registered as unemployed or residing in Switzerland. The file is then processed by the cantonal migration office, which issues the L permit after notification or SEM approval depending on the applicant's nationality.

What to do in case of renewal or change of employer

If the employment ends before the permit expires, the holder is required to report it to the cantonal office; a change of employer, even within the same canton, requires a new application, with a reassessment of the case. Extension beyond twelve months is allowed only in exceptional circumstances provided for by federal law, such as the continuation of an assignment for documented reasons not attributable to the will of the worker or the employer.

…

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the L permit last in the Canton of Grisons?: The short-term L permit has a maximum duration of twelve months and is generally not renewable. An extension beyond twelve months is only permitted in exceptional circumstances provided for by federal law, such as the continuation of a mission for documented reasons beyond the control of the employee or employer, e.g. in the event of documented illness or accident.
Who issues the L permit in Grisons?: The cantonal migration office of the canton of Graubünden is responsible for issuing it, which acts on the basis of federal legislation (Foreigners and their Integration Act and the associated ASEO ordinance), taking into account the cantonal particularities in terms of the labour market and quotas. Prior federal approval is generally required for third-country nationals.
Can you change employer with L permit?: A change of employer, even within the same canton, requires a new cantonal application with reassessment of the case. The L permit is closely linked to the employer and the reason for the issuance; any substantial change in the conditions must be communicated to the cantonal migration office.
How do you go from permit L to permit B in Grisons?: The transition from the L permit to the B residence permit presupposes the elimination of the temporariness, for example with the conclusion of a permanent contract, and compliance with the conditions laid down by federal and cantonal legislation for the conversion of the title. The application must be submitted again to the competent cantonal office, which assesses the existence of the conditions.
What social security contributions apply to the L permit holder?: The employee with an L permit is affiliated to the AHV/AHV, to the BVG occupational pension scheme if the coordinated salary exceeds the entry threshold and to the compulsory unemployment and accident insurance. For employees, the AHV/IV/EO rate is 5.3% payable by the employee and 10.6% overall by the employer's share; the AD/HC contribution is 1.1% within the indexed annual ceiling.