Settlement Permit (Permit C)

For ordinary C, distinguish A2 spoken and A1 written; early C requires B1 spoken and A1 written in the national language at the place of residence. Geneva uses French; do not impose French nationwide. Use a currently SEM-recognised certificate when required. A separate test is not universal: mother tongue or qualifying schooling/education can prove competence; documented disability, serious illness or learning hardship may support a case-specific exception. The canton assesses accepted evidence and any applicable exemption.

Use the responsible canton's current procedure. Geneva ordinary/early C examples require postal form Y, motivation letter, valid colour ID copy, work contract and last three payslips, plus debt-enforcement and non-assistance attestations less than three months old. Early C also lists a detailed CV/diplomas and, for children over 12, schooling evidence/latest report. Evidence must fit the applicant's circumstances and accepted alternatives; do not impose Geneva's form or employment documents universally nationwide. Important: the December 2025 Y form's ordinary-C instructions exempt employed applicants from the non-assistance attestation when the contract and three payslips are supplied, while the webpage lists it generally. Confirm this branch-specific difference with OCPM; early C still lists the attestation.

Residence and language alone do not establish C eligibility. The authority checks revocation grounds and integration, including public security/order, constitutional values and economic participation or education. Geneva distinguishes ordinary and early C when assessing convictions, debt enforcement and social assistance; the early route is stricter. Apply the relevant branch and documented personal circumstances with the canton; neither any past debt/assistance nor completion of five years determines the result automatically.

Ordinary C generally requires 10 years of residence with L/B, including the last 5 uninterrupted years with a durable B; not 10 years all on B. Specific treaty/reciprocity nationalities and qualifying family situations may have a 5-year route; not every EU/EFTA citizen. Early C after 5 qualifying uninterrupted years requires successful integration and authority assessment, not automatic approval. Study/training stays do not normally count in the last uninterrupted period; the exception requires 2 subsequent uninterrupted years of durable B. Verify actual permit history, absences and the applicable canton; F/N time is excluded.