In Switzerland, there is no single, uniform residence permit; rather, there are a number of different permits, each with its own legal basis, period of validity and legal effects. Third-country nationals, i.e. nationals of countries outside the EU/EFTA, who wish to live and work in Switzerland face significantly higher hurdles than citizens of EU/EFTA Member States, who benefit, for example, from facilitated access under the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons. Since the relevant permits are always issued for a limited period, the question of whether and under what conditions a permit can be renewed inevitably arises.