Permit applications in Zürich

For L, B and C permits of EU/EFTA nationals the application goes through the residents’ office, which hands it to the Migrationsamt, collects the advance fee and books the appointment at the Migrationsamt’s biometrics counter (Canton of Zurich, checked 21 Oct 2026). EU/EFTA workers who stay up to 90 working days a year need no permit: their assignments are notified to the Amt für Wirtschaft (Canton of Zurich, checked 21 Oct 2026).

Third-country nationals receive a credit-card-sized permit with a chip holding two fingerprints, a photo and the signature, stored for five years in the central migration information system (ZEMIS); the EU/EFTA card has no chip and shows only photo and signature (Canton of Zurich, checked 21 Oct 2026). The appointment can be moved online up to 24 hours ahead, and the earliest new slot is seven working days later (Canton of Zurich, checked 21 Oct 2026). The finished card is sent by post (Canton of Zurich, checked 21 Oct 2026).

A lost B, C or L card is reported to the police post of the home municipality, in the city of Zurich to the “Ausweisverluste” office, which issues the loss notice; the Migrationsamt issues none (Canton of Zurich, checked 21 Oct 2026).

Arrivals from abroad register in person at the Personenmeldeamt Zürich Süd in the Stadthaus, Stadthausquai 17, with a booked appointment, and only once they actually live in the city (City of Zurich, checked 21 Oct 2026). The deadline is 14 days (2026) (City of Zurich, checked 21 Oct 2026); the fee is CHF 40 per adult, plus the cantonal migration office’s permit fees for foreign nationals (City of Zurich, checked 21 Oct 2026). More in our guide to registering at your commune.