Hi people

I'm looking for a good place to go to get reliable answers to some foreigner-related questions. I'm Canadian, my wife is Polish, and we've both got somewhat unique problems and histories. I'm trying to find out whom to ask/where to go to get answers about our status in CH (how to get a c permit, how long can we stay, etc.). I've found some answers after much browsing, but not all. Basically we'd like to know how good our chances are of still being here in, say, 5 years. We want to stay, but need to *know* if it's possible (and how) to be able to plan our future a bit.

2 years ago I was able to get a free appointment with some kind of 'expert' in foreign matters by going to the FiF (Fachstelle fuer Interkulterelle Fragen), and I had the impression they were giving me real 'objective' advice. Now - as somebody mentioned on some other thread here - they've moved and changed their name slightly: http://www3.stzh.ch/internet/fif/home.html. They now seem to be run by the city of Zurich! Also, their goals seem more focused: http://www3.stzh.ch/internet/fif/hom...sberatung.html. They seem to want to give new arrivals a 'basic' introduction to life in CH, not more. Besides, I wouldn't trust a city official as far as I could throw them, as far as getting advice on how to stay in CH goes.

Anyone know of where to go on questions like these:
- for a Polish citizen living here on B-permits since 2000, how does one go about getting a C-permit? What about CH citizenship? Does she need to wait until 2011, when Poland becomes a full EU member? Or even longer? What about if she's working freelance as opposed to hired by an employer?
- for a Canadian living here as a doctoral and post-doc "student", what are my chances of getting a C-permit *without* necessarily having a new emplyer who'll get one for me? Or at least a 5-year B-permit? What about citizenship: do I need to wait 5, 10, or even 12 years? Starting when? My status is a bit unusual in that although I was a doctoral student from 1997-2004 on paper, in reality I was paid through "Drittmittel" as a 100% employee by the university. I've heard that for EU citizens this would mean they'd be treated as an employee, NOT a "mere" student. What about for Canadians?

So you see, these sorts of questions need expert advice...we don't fit into the usual "nice" categories, or maybe we do but need confirmation. I'm running out of places to look, and could use some hints! Who knows this stuff and is willing to give us good answers?

Anyone?? Thanks!!
runway

Hi,

I have a Polish girlfriend (who has been here over 5 years) and I am British and have been here just over 4 years. I can tell you what happenned to us...

I, being a good "proper" EU citizen, got an automatic 5 year B permit. I will autnaticaly get a "C" when my "B" expires, or I can apply for it next January (almost guarenteed t get it).

On the other hand my girlfriend applied for C permit in December, but was refused, on the grounds that she is a second class EU member, and not entitled to C, ie they can decide. As I understand it, those nationalities outside the EU stand an even lower chance of getting a "C" until the mandatory period has elapsed (10 years I think).

To be honest, I'm not convinced there are an special benefits to having a "C" but I will apply for one when I can in any case.

I guess that doesn't help so much, but there you go. I hope your polish is better than mine!

Cheers

Matt

Yes, I figured a Polish person might have little chance at the moment. Getting a B-permit to work (as long as one is within the quota for that year!) is one thing; getting a C is another.

As far as I understand, a C permit is useful because it allows one to work where one wants: job mobility. It also makes it easier to *get* a job of choice in the first place, at least that's what I thought.

As for my Polish: I'm just beginning to learn! Got a course in the Klubschule tonight ; ) Luckily my German is no problem.

By the way: Polish citizens have to wait "only" until 2011 to have all the rights of the older EU countries. Until then, there's a yearly-increasing quota on work permits: a different number depending on whether the job is short-term (< 1 year) or long-term (<5 yrs). It's all described here:
http://www.europa.admin.ch/ba/expl/f...nenverkehr.htm