Have been looking into relevant topics on the Forum, but couldn't find an answer, so I thought I'd start a new thread

I got an invitation to give biometrics in Lausanne, which I did today. However, I haven't received any news regarding the final decision of my application for a residence permit. (non-EU, applied in August, approved and passed onto SEM by Vaud in Sept, no news ever since except this invitation)

Has anyone else been in the same/ similar situation? Should I assume that they will be notifying me the final decision soon? Is it possible that they refuse my application even after giving biometrics?

Thank you in advance!

From my experience in Zurich (also non-EU) getting an invitation to give biometrics means your residence permit has been approved. You will receive it in the post in a few days time. You will not have been asked to give biometrics if your request has been declined or not processed - authorities will not do the work of collecting the data just for fun of it.
Cheers!

You will get your permit in the mail a few days after you give your biometrics. Be prepared to pay the fee on the way out, can’t remember the fee but they take credit cards. Your employer might refund you the cost.

Thanks for your reply!

I also thought that the authorities wouldn't do it just for fun. And I also shouldn't be paying for nothing, in case they reject it in the end. However, this is exactly what puzzles me.

In the invitation letter, it says explicitly, "this procedure is essential for the issuance of the residence permit for foreigners. However, this does not presume the final decision regarding your permit application." (translated from French into English)

Do people usually (or did you) get a separate letter regarding the final decision? Either from SEM or from the canton? Or do the decision letter and the permit just come straight to our mailbox?

There is no separate letter, you will simply receive the permit in the post. This is the case in Kanton Zürich, which might differ in other Kantons, but I doubt it.