Dear All,

I have been in Geneva working for last 6 years. Every year my Permit B has been renewed, but I recently got to know that there is a limit of 6 years on renewing this permit amd my permit expires in September. My employer is willing to keep me, but skeptical bcos of this rule. Can any one let me know what is an alternative way of handling this situation. Is there an option of getting a Permit under this situation. Can any one with some experience on this kindly let me know..

thanks a lot,
Andy

What nationality are you? Let's assume non-EU.

I think your HR department has cocked up here. You have a short term renewable B permit (usually max 3 years, absolute max 6 years). What you should have is this:

• Economic interests
• Employee qualifications
• Priority for Swiss and European Union workers
• Compliance with local employment conditions
• Availability of quota
• Renewable until granting of settlement C permit after 10 years (USA + Canada 5 years)

But getting to the point, or better said answering his question. His employer has now got to apply for said permit. This might not be so easy to get at this stage but as long as the OP has no criminal record and has paid taxes as required and as long as the company puts in a reasonable argument then it will be given. The sad thing is how often this kind of situation occurs and the disadvantages the employee has from this decision. Don't forget until you have a long term permit you are not entitled to unemployment benefit even though you have been paying in for the last 6 years...

A colleague of mine faced the same situation recently, albeit within an academic work environment. There were apparently two options available to her (i) if she moved residence to a different canton, she could obtain a new B permit within that canton and continue work in Zürich (ii) The research institute could change the official title of her position (along with a 3000chf payment to the immigration office) which would allow re-issue of the permit within the Zürich canton.

We opted for the latter but i think this was due to the technical nature of the job and i don't know if this apllies outside academe.

Dear all...thanks for your replies...Infact I am at the university...my status has been that of research assistant, then I did complete my PhD and my status was changed to Post Doc researcher...but both are being considered in the same category..I want to rather ask that is it possible to ask for a short term extension from OCP on basis of some commitments to be done only after the current expiry date and if the employer provides a reference letter in this regards.

Hi,

I finally got my ERMACHTIGUNG ZUR VISUMERTEILUNG FUR DIE SCHWEIZER VERTRETUNG (EB) from my employer today. Is there a way I would know from this document whether I'm getting a:

First one. 36 months limitation.

So you think this could have been easier if done early enough? The reason I am asking is the following -- my entry visa grant letter also says "12 months, extended upto 36 months". I have not yet entered CH, and not yet applied for the residence permit. Is there something my (future) employer can do NOW to get a "better" deal?