# B permit for a non-EU family moving to Switzerland in 2026: routes, steps and documents A non-EU family can obtain Swiss B permits through one main applicant, via employment, a business, or financially independent residence. The spouse and children then follow through family reunification. Here is how the process works for a family moving from London. A non-EU family moving to Switzerland in 2026 usually gets B residence permits through one main applicant. That person qualifies through a job with a Swiss employer, by setting up a business, or as a financially independent resident. The spouse and children then follow through family reunification. The canton decides first, the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) usually has to approve, and the family then enters on a national visa and registers locally. For a family of UAE nationals living in London with two children, it helps to know one thing early. The rules that apply are those for "third-country nationals". The fact that you live in the UK does not change this, and neither does your nationality's visa-free access for short visits. What counts is the basis on which the main applicant will live in Switzerland. ## Who counts as "non-EU" for a Swiss permit Switzerland has two systems. Citizens of EU and EFTA countries fall under the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons. Everyone else falls under the Foreign Nationals and Integration Act (FNIA, known in French as LEI). UAE nationals are in the second group, and since Brexit so are British nationals arriving now. This matters because the rules for third-country nationals are selective. Each permit is approved case by case, and some routes are limited by annual federal quotas. ## The main routes to a B permit ### Employment with a Swiss employer Most permits for non-EU nationals are granted through a job. The employer applies to the cantonal authority, not the employee. The rules generally require: - a highly qualified profile (senior management, specialists, people with a university degree and significant experience) - proof that no suitable candidate could be found in Switzerland or the EU/EFTA (the principle of priority for the domestic labour market) - salary and working conditions in line with local practice for that role and region - a place within the annual quota set by the Federal Council The quotas for 2026 are set by the Federal Council, usually towards the end of the year before. The employer or their immigration lawyer will know how much room is left in a given canton. ### Self-employment or setting up a company A non-EU national can apply to live in Switzerland to run their own business. The canton looks at the economic interest of the project. This usually means a credible business plan, real capital, and ideally local jobs and investment. The company is normally set up with a fiduciary. The permit file is often prepared alongside the company formation. Quota rules can also apply here. ### Financially independent residence (without gainful activity) Some families do not intend to work in Switzerland. For them the law sets out two routes: - **Persons aged 55 and over** can apply as retirees if they have enough financial means and a special personal connection to Switzerland. They must not work in Switzerland. - **Persons under 55** cannot use the retiree route. A canton can still grant a permit on the grounds of an "important cantonal interest", which in practice is usually a fiscal interest. This is often discussed together with lump-sum taxation (imposition d'après la dépense). Each canton applies these routes in its own way, and the tax side needs specialist advice. Avenirio does not give tax or legal advice. For this part we work with licensed lawyers and fiduciaries. We handle the practical side of the file, which you can read about on our [tax residency and lump-sum taxation](/switzerland/services/tax-residency-lump-sum-taxation) page. ## Spouse and children: family reunification Once the main applicant has a route, the spouse and unmarried children under 18 can usually be included through family reunification. The conditions generally include: - living together in the same home - housing suitable for the size of the family - enough financial means so the family does not rely on social assistance - for the spouse, an integration condition linked to a national language (proof of basic oral skills or enrolment in a language course), depending on the permit held There are deadlines for applying for family reunification after the main applicant arrives or gets the permit. They are shorter for children over 12. The simplest option is often to file for the whole family at once, as part of the main application. ## Step by step: how the process usually runs 1. **Choose the route and the canton.** Geneva, Vaud, Zug and others each apply federal law with their own practice. The canton where you will live decides on the permit. 2. **Prepare and submit the application.** In Geneva, the file goes to the Office cantonal de la population et des migrations (OCPM). For employment cases, the labour-market part is reviewed by the cantonal labour authority. 3. **Cantonal decision and SEM approval.** If the canton agrees, most third-country cases then go to the SEM in Bern for approval. 4. **Entry visa.** Once approved, the family applies for a national (type D) visa at the Swiss representation responsible for where they live. From London, that is usually the Swiss Embassy in London. This step is needed even if your nationality can visit Schengen visa-free for short stays. 5. **Arrival and registration.** After arriving, each family member registers with the commune or cantonal population office within the legal deadline. In Geneva this is done with the OCPM. 6. **Biometrics and card.** Photos and fingerprints are taken for the biometric permit card, which is then sent to your Swiss address. 7. **Immediate follow-up steps.** These include compulsory basic health insurance for each family member, school enrolment for the children, and address-linked registrations (utilities, vehicles, household staff). The first B permit for a third-country national is usually valid for one year. It is then renewed, so a yearly renewal process should be planned from the start. ## Documents checklist for a family of four Exact lists depend on the canton and the route. The families we work with usually need: - valid passports for all four family members, with enough validity left - a marriage certificate - full birth certificates for both children, showing both parents - proof of current residence in the UK - the employment contract, business plan or proof of financial means, depending on the route - a signed lease or proof of housing in Switzerland - CVs and diplomas (employment route) - criminal record extracts, where requested - passport photos meeting Swiss standards Civil status documents issued in the UAE or the UK usually need an apostille or full consular legalisation, depending on the country that issued them. They also often need a certified translation into French, German or Italian. This is often the step that takes longest, especially for documents issued in several countries. Our team can coordinate [apostille and legalisation of documents](/switzerland/services/apostille-and-legalisation-of-documents) as well as certified translations. ## Children and schooling: plan it in parallel Schooling decisions often determine the timeline. Swiss state schools accept children who are resident in the commune. Leading international schools in the Geneva and Lake Geneva region often have waiting lists and admission rounds that do not match the permit timeline. Families moving from a British curriculum usually apply to schools while the permit is still being processed. Our [school admissions support](/switzerland/services/school-change-and-admissions) covers shortlisting, applications and the paperwork schools ask for. ## Timing for a 2026 move Processing times vary by canton, route and time of year, so no official figure can promise a date. The practical advice is to start several months before your planned move. Leave room for obtaining documents abroad, the SEM approval and the visa appointment. Avoid signing a long lease or giving notice in London before the canton has made a positive decision. ## Where Avenirio fits Avenirio is a family office by subscription. We run the household administration of families living in Switzerland. For a first permit application, we put together and track the file, obtain and translate documents, coordinate with your employer, fiduciary or lawyer, and handle correspondence with the OCPM. After you arrive, we take care of registrations, health insurance, schools and the yearly renewal. The legal strategy and any tax structure stay with licensed partners. To see how this works for a family relocating from London, read our guide to [moving to Geneva with your family](/for/new-arrivals) or the details of our [first residence permit application](/switzerland/services/first-residence-permit-application) service. When you are ready, compare our [plans and prices](/plans) and choose the level of support that suits your household. ## Questions and answers **Can my children attend school in Switzerland before our B permits are issued?** Schools will usually want proof of residence or a pending permit application before a child starts. International schools may accept an application earlier, but the start date normally depends on the family's residence status. **Does living in London make the Swiss permit process easier for UAE nationals?** No. Permits are assessed by nationality and route, so UAE nationals are treated as third-country nationals wherever they live. Living in London mainly affects which Swiss embassy handles your entry visa. **Can the spouse work on a family reunification B permit?** In general, the spouse of a B permit holder admitted for work can take up employment in Switzerland. Check the exact conditions with the cantonal migration office for your specific permit. **What happens if the main applicant loses the job that the permit is based on?** The family's permits depend on the original basis for residence, so any change must be reported to the cantonal authority. The canton then reviews whether the permit can continue, often on a new basis. **How long before a non-EU family can get a C permit?** For most third-country nationals, the C (settlement) permit becomes possible after several years of regular residence and depends on integration criteria. The waiting period can be shorter for certain nationalities under bilateral agreements.