Liechtenstein work permit

The law requires that admission is in the economic interest, that a domestic employer has applied, that the workload is at least 50% for a short-stay permit or 80% for a residence permit, that there are no convictions for crimes or misdemeanours, that qualifications, adaptability, language skills and age suggest lasting integration, that funds are sufficient to avoid social assistance, and that commuting across the border is not a reasonable alternative. Permits are reserved for managers, specialists and other qualified employees with a completed apprenticeship or many years of experience.

Under the fee ordinance in force since 1 January 2026, only the employer pays the fees for a work-based permit. The assurance of a permit costs CHF 60, a new short-stay (L) permit CHF 80 and a new residence (B) permit CHF 200 when issued by the office or CHF 1,000 when granted by the Government; the office states that a positive Government decision on a B permit costs CHF 1,060 in total, collects an advance of CHF 80 by bank transfer and charges CHF 80 if the application is refused. Extensions cost CHF 60, the biometric residence card CHF 30 for enrolment plus CHF 20 for production, and urgent handling on request adds CHF 100 for adults.

The complete application for an L permit must reach the office at least 14 days before the planned start of work; people who need a visa are advised to apply earlier. An L permit allows residence for at most 12 months, and the worker must leave when it expires, whatever entitlements such as unemployment insurance they may have. An assurance is valid for at most six weeks for a short-stay permit and normally three months for a residence permit.

The employer must show that no suitable worker is available on the permit-free labour market, which consists of Liechtenstein citizens, holders of residence or settlement permits and EEA or Swiss cross-border commuters. Usual local, professional and sector wages and conditions must be met and the worker needs suitable housing. The application is made to the Immigration and Passport Office, which may ask for a current criminal record extract from the home country. The worker waits abroad for the assurance of a permit or visa authorisation and may only start work after receiving it.

Before the worker starts, the employer must check the residence card or ask the office that the person is allowed to work. An employer punished repeatedly within three years for breaching the immigration rules has its applications for foreign workers refused for two years, and an employer who hired someone without the right to work bears the uncovered costs of that person's living, illness, accident and return.

Register in person within eight days with the residents' registration office of your municipality, presenting your passport and the assurance or visa. The permit is only issued once all documents requested by the office are available and you have registered.

A short-stay permit covers stays of up to one year in total for a specific purpose, can be extended once by up to six months in exceptional cases and can be issued again only after a six-month break. A residence permit is for stays expected to last more than a year and is usually limited to one year, renewable if the integration agreement is kept. Managers and specialists already employed abroad by an international company with a Liechtenstein branch can receive a residence permit for up to three years without the labour-market test. Renewal must be requested at least two weeks before expiry.