Immigration Office

The Migration Office of the Canton of Zürich is the central point of contact for all matters relating to entry and residence permits. The office's 180 employees handle the concerns of more than 435,000 people from abroad who live and work in the canton. The main tasks include reviewing applications for entry and residence, extending visas, and issuing return visas.

The regulation of residence rights in Switzerland is governed by federal law and international treaties. The Migration Office implements these laws in the Canton of Zürich and ensures compliance with the agreements on the free movement of persons between Switzerland, the EU, and EFTA. It also takes into account the provisions of the Schengen and Dublin agreements as well as Swiss asylum law. The Migration Office is also responsible for special matters such as support for refugees from Ukraine.

The Migration Office's website provides a wide range of information, including applications for visa extensions, residence permits, and comprehensive information on immigration-law measures in the Canton of Zürich. In addition, high-quality information on the procedures and required documents is provided in various categories to make it easier for citizens to interact with the authority.

Furthermore, the Migration Office also offers the option of applying for work permits online and provides a comprehensive collection of forms, brochures, and directives. The Migration Office's counter hall is open Monday to Friday and offers direct contact with staff for all matters relating to migration.