Immigration fees come in three layers: federal maximums set in the fee ordinance to the FNIA, the fees your canton actually charges within them, and third-party costs such as translations and apostilles. A B or C permit typically costs CHF 125 to 192 depending on the canton, naturalisation usually well over CHF 1,000 in total, and an appeal can cost several thousand. Federal figures are as of 1 January 2024; cantonal figures were last checked in May 2026.
In short
- Federal maximums (Art. 8 of the fee ordinance): for example CHF 95 for a first B or C permit, CHF 75 to extend a B, L or G permit, CHF 65 to extend a C permit's control period. Refusals are charged at actual cost.
- Cantonal fees vary: a first B permit costs CHF 125 in Bern and CHF 162 in Geneva.
- Naturalisation: a federal fee of CHF 100 for an adult, plus cantonal and municipal fees, typically CHF 1,200 to 2,100 in the cantons below.
- Appeals: court fees of roughly CHF 500 to 5,000 per level, usually paid in advance. Legal aid is possible but granted restrictively.
- Not included: lawyers' fees, which follow cantonal law.
Federal maximum fees (Art. 8 of the fee ordinance)
The fee ordinance to the FNIA caps permit fees for all cantons. Maximums in CHF, as of 1 January 2024:
| Procedure | Maximum | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First B permit, third-country national | 95 | Art. 8 para. 1 let. b |
| First B permit, EU/EFTA | 65, card included | Art. 8 para. 4 |
| First L permit | 95 | Art. 8 para. 1 let. b |
| First C permit | 95 | Art. 8 para. 1 |
| First G permit | 95 | Art. 8 para. 1 let. b |
| Extension of B, L or G | 75 | Art. 8 para. 1 let. e |
| Extension of the C control period | 65 | Art. 8 para. 1 let. f |
| Change of canton (Art. 37 FNIA) | up to 95 | Art. 8 |
| Refusal decisions | actual cost | Art. 8 para. 7 |
| Foreigner identity card | 22, plus 20 for biometric data | Art. 8 paras 2 and 3 |
Cantonal permit fees
Standard rates in CHF from published fee lists, as of May 2026. "Plus" means an extra fee per person.
| Procedure | ZH | GE | BE | BS | ZG | VD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B, first issue | 142 (incl. card) | 162 | 125 | 132 | 142 | 157 |
| B, extension | 142 | 142 | 105 | 102 | 122 | 137 |
| C, issue | 192 | 192 | 185 | 192 | 192 | 192 |
| C, extension or new card | 142 | 142 | 125 | 132 | 142 | 142 |
| L permit | 102 | 112 | 95 | 92 | 112 | 117 |
| Family reunification | 192 plus | 192 plus | 185 plus | 132 plus | 187 plus | |
| Change of canton | 142 | 162 | 125 | 157 |
Also: in Geneva, a G permit costs 112. In Zug, the procedure for highly qualified third-country nationals uses the federal maximum, with cantonal fees up to 192.
Naturalisation fees
Fees are charged at federal, cantonal and municipal level. The federal fee is fixed:
| Procedure | CHF | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary naturalisation | 100 (adults), 50 (minors) | Art. 25 SCO with Art. 35 SCA |
| Facilitated naturalisation (Art. 21 SCA) | 500 | Art. 25 SCO |
| Reinstatement (Art. 27 SCA) | 500 (adults), 250 (minors) | Art. 25 SCO |
Standard cantonal and municipal fees for one person, in CHF, before the federal CHF 100:
| Canton | Municipality | Canton | Typical total |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZH | 600-1,200 | 600 | 1,300-1,900 |
| GE | up to 1,000 | 800 | 1,800 |
| BE | 500-1,000 | 600 | 1,200-1,700 |
| BS | 600 (uniform) | 600 | 1,300 |
| ZG | 700-1,200 | 800 | 1,600-2,100 |
| VD | 500-1,200 | 750 | 1,350-2,050 |
Some cantons, such as Zurich and Vaud, let municipalities charge actual costs, so wealthier applicants can pay CHF 5,000 or more. This is compatible with federal law (BGE 142 I 152) but can be challenged as disproportionate. Check your municipality's fee rules.
Documents
| Service | CHF | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Apostille on a Swiss document | 20 per document | Federal Office of Justice |
| Certified signature | 30-80, by canton | cantonal notary |
| Certified copy | 20-50 per page | notary |
| Certified translation | 60-120 per page (~250 words) | freelance or approved translators |
| Residence confirmation, certificate of origin, family certificate | 20-40 | municipality |
| Swiss criminal record extract | 20 online, 30 by post | Federal Office of Justice |
| Debt collection register extract | 17 | debt collection office |
Appeal costs
A cantonal decision goes to the cantonal appeal bodies, then the Federal Supreme Court. SEM decisions go to the Federal Administrative Court. In asylum cases the route is SEM, then Federal Administrative Court, then Federal Supreme Court.
| Court | Typical fee, CHF | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| ZH Administrative Court | 1,000-3,000 | VRG ZH § 65 |
| GE Court of Justice (CDP) | 500-2,500 | LPA GE |
| BE Administrative Court | 800-2,500 | VRPG BE |
| BS Court of Appeal | 500-2,500 | OG BS |
| ZG Administrative Court | 500-2,000 | VRG ZG |
| VD Cantonal Tribunal (CDAP) | 500-2,500 | LPA-VD |
| Federal Administrative Court, immigration | 800-2,500 | Art. 4 VGKE with Art. 63 APA |
| Federal Administrative Court, asylum | 600-1,200 | Art. 63 APA; Art. 109 AsylA |
| Federal Supreme Court | 1,000-5,000, typically 2,000-3,000 | Art. 65 FSCA |
- Advance on costs: both federal courts require an advance, usually equal to the expected fee, before they start (Art. 63 para. 4 APA, Art. 62 FSCA).
- Legal aid (Art. 65 APA, Art. 64 FSCA): possible if you lack the means and the appeal has a chance of success. It is granted restrictively; apply with your appeal.
- Costs if you win (Art. 64 APA, Art. 68 FSCA): typically CHF 1,500-3,000 towards your lawyer, paid by the losing authority.
APA is the Federal Act on Administrative Procedure; FSCA the Federal Supreme Court Act.
Special cases
- Hardship applications (Art. 30 FNIA): no separate federal fee, only the first B permit fee. Cantons often charge CHF 300-800 for processing.
- Regularisation of sans-papiers: as for hardship cases, plus any late AHV contributions to the cantonal compensation fund.
- Family reunification from third countries: a Schengen visa typically costs CHF 75-90, a national D visa about CHF 100-160. Translations and apostilles for birth, marriage and criminal record documents typically add CHF 200-800 per family member.
Health insurance premiums are compared on priminfo.admin.ch. For tax and social insurance effects, see changing employer.