Permit applications in Lucerne

The cantonal ordinance on foreign nationals provides that the Amt für Migration charges the maximum rates of the federal fee ordinance (Canton of Lucerne, checked 21 Oct 2026). Those maxima are CHF 95 to issue a B or L permit, CHF 75 to extend one and CHF 40 for a duplicate card, and for EU/EFTA nationals the permit procedure, card, photo and signature together may cost at most CHF 65 (Federal fee ordinance, checked 21 Oct 2026).

The office's form pages state a processing time of up to about six weeks for work-based applications and for B permit extensions (Canton of Lucerne, checked 21 Oct 2026) (Canton of Lucerne, checked 21 Oct 2026). The State Secretariat for Migration normally sends the renewal application for B and C permits about two months before expiry (Canton of Lucerne, checked 21 Oct 2026).

Permits are now almost always issued in credit-card format, so the office has many more people appearing at its counter in person (Canton of Lucerne, checked 21 Oct 2026). A lost card is reported to the police, and the duplicate is then sent by post (Canton of Lucerne, checked 21 Oct 2026). Applications for a C permit are made through an online form (Canton of Lucerne, checked 21 Oct 2026). Counter hours and the permit types are covered on the immigration permits page for Lucerne.

New residents register with the Einwohnerdienste (residents' office) in the Customer Centre at Obergrundstrasse 1 within 14 days (1 Jan 2026) (City of Lucerne, checked 21 Oct 2026). The counters are open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:00, the fee is CHF 40, and people arriving from abroad register in person (City of Lucerne, checked 21 Oct 2026). A Welcome Desk at the same address gives newcomers short consultations without an appointment on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons (City of Lucerne, checked 21 Oct 2026). See registering at your commune.