Liechtenstein Work residence

Residence permit for non-EEA, non-Swiss nationals employed by a Liechtenstein employer, limited by annual maximum numbers and open only to managers, specialists and other qualified workers. ^{1 2 3}

What you must show and pay

• A fee of CHF 60 (≈ $72) · Fee for the assurance of the permit, charged on top of the permit fee (Ausl-GebV Art. 10). ³
• A fee of CHF 200 (≈ $240) · Fee for the first residence permit when issued by the Immigration and Passport Office; CHF 1,000 (≈ $1,200) when the Government issues it (Ausl-GebV Art. 10). ³
• A fee of CHF 30 (≈ $36) · Fee for recording biometric data for the residence card. ³
• A fee of CHF 20 (≈ $24) · Fee for producing the residence card. ³

Requirements

• A Liechtenstein employer applies for the permit. ¹
• The applicant is a manager, specialist or other qualified worker with a completed apprenticeship or long professional experience. ^{1 2}
• The job is at least 80% of full time. ¹
• Admission serves the national economic interest and no suitable worker can be found among Liechtenstein nationals, permit holders and EEA or Swiss cross-border commuters. ¹
• Local, occupational and industry wages and conditions are met and cross-border commuting is not reasonable. ¹
• The applicant has no criminal conviction for a felony or misdemeanour. ¹
• Sufficient funds so that social assistance is not needed. ^{1 2}
• Valid passport, birth certificate and current passport photograph, submitted as originals. ²
• Proof of a suitable dwelling, such as a lease or land-register extract. ²
• Proof of statutory health insurance covering all risks in Liechtenstein. ²
• Salary confirmations or an employment contract as proof of funds, and proof of any debts or maintenance duties. ²
• The Migration and Passport Office can ask for a current criminal-record extract from the home country and other original documents. ¹
• Obtain an assurance of the permit or an authorisation to issue a visa; work may only start after it is received. ¹
• Register in person with the residents’ registration office of the municipality of residence; the permit is only issued afterwards. ¹
• The government can set maximum numbers of permits; they do not apply to extensions. ¹
• Complete applications are usually decided within three months. ¹
• Fees are charged together: CHF 60 (≈ $72) for the assurance, CHF 200 (≈ $240) for the first residence permit and CHF 30 (≈ $36) plus CHF 20 (≈ $24) for the residence card, CHF 310 (≈ $370) in total; each extension costs CHF 60, (≈ $72) and the employer is the one liable for the fees. ³
• The permit is usually valid for one year and can be extended if the integration agreement is kept. ¹
• Holders may change employer and, where professional-law conditions are met, work self-employed. ¹

Stay

• Usually one year; extendable.
• Initial permitted stay: 12 months.
• Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

Nationality

Applies to nationals of states other than EEA member states and Switzerland. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

Work

Work for the sponsoring employer; job changes and self-employment are possible under Art. 30 AuG.

Family

Spouse or registered partner and unmarried children under 18 can join once the holder meets the family reunification conditions.

Checked 2026-10-12

Official sources

1. Foreigners Act (Ausländergesetz, AuG), LGBl. 2008 No. 311, version of 12 June 2026 · Legal Service of the Government of Liechtenstein (Lilex) · checked 2026-10-11
2. Ordinance on admission and residence of foreigners (ZAV), LGBl. 2008 No. 350 · Legal Service of the Government of Liechtenstein (Lilex) · checked 2026-10-11
3. Ordinance on fees under foreigners law (Ausl-GebV), LGBl. 2011 No. 440 · Legal Service of the Government of Liechtenstein (Lilex) · checked 2026-10-11
4. Citizenship Act (Buergerrechtsgesetz, BueG), LGBl. 1960 No. 23 · Liechtenstein legal portal (gesetze.li) · checked 2026-10-11