The G permit, explained
What the cross-border permit is, who applies for it and why the canton matters. For the full registration order, see the step-by-step guide instead.
Key takeaways
- The employer applies for the G permit, not the worker.
- It is issued in the canton where the work happens, not where you live.
- Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft each run their own migration office.
What the permit actually is
The cross-border permit (permis G / Grenzgängerbewilligung) is what lets someone who lives in France work legally in Switzerland without relocating. It is tied to the job, issued in the canton where the work happens, and renewed while the employment continues.
Who applies for it — and who doesn't
Your employer applies for it, in the canton where you will work, once your employment contract exists. There is no separate application a worker files at a French office; the permit follows from the job, not the other way round.
Why the canton matters
Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft run separate migration offices with separate forms. The two processes are not interchangeable, so the canton your employer files in is the one whose office and paperwork apply to you from then on.