Could I apply for some sort of residency permit if I'm a non-EU citizen (US citizenship) living with my swiss boyfriend? What are my options besides stretching out the tourist visa or getting married? I've heard that I can get a residency permit as long as I can prove that I have sufficient funds to support myself in Switzerland.

I just want to be able to work. I don't believe that I should have to get married to be able to participate in everyday society and it's daily functions. Without any kind of residency permit here in Switzerland, it's as if I'm non-existent. I have no real rights.

Are you able to prove that your relationship is a partnership, in other words that you have been living together for a few years in another country? If so, you should be able to have your partnership recognised by the authorities and get yourself a permit on that basis. However, that will be a resident permit, not a work permit. You could apply to have it upgraded to a work permit if you find an employer willing to apply for that.

You write as though you somehow expect that you have a right to work, or to participate in certain other parts of Swiss society on your current status, which is a temporary visitor.

Perhaps you should ask yourself what kind of "rights" are afforded to people in the same situation in your own country (i.e. the US).

While I strongly disagree with some of the politics here concerning work permits, I must admit that it does kind of bug me when people somehow feel as though they have some sort of automatic right to be here and work, especially if those people come from a country where the situation is even stricter.

Sure, I wholly respect and agree with your reply. I recognize that it is just as difficult, if not more difficult in the United States.

I do not "expect" any of these "rights" to be handed to me on a silver platter. Nor do I "expect" to participate in Swiss society. I would simply "like" to work for a living so I can support myself without having to "get married". Isn't "getting married" in my situation taking advantage of Swiss society for my own benefit? I'm already not supposed to be here so two wrongs don't make a right. Right??

I would like to have Swiss health insurance, I would like to have a bank account, and as I've already mentioned, I would like to work. Believe me, I am more than willing to earn these "rights" or privileges. I just don't want to falsify the institution of marriage for these privileges.

And obviously, if I thought I had a "right" to be here, I wouldn't be asking how to go about getting a residency permit the correct way. If I have no other options, I completely understand that going back to the US is something I might have to do. As much as I don't like the idea of that, I would rather have a long-distance relationship than get married for convenience because I believe anything worth having is worth working for.

Well said and good luck in your quest

Well, I'm glad you clarified!
Welcome & good luck! I've seen others were able to find jobs & stay without getting married, so I think you can too!

It is not too difficult to American getting a job in Zurich/Geneva. Give a try and good luck.

If you speak German or French, it will 100% easier...

There is an option of going to school under the L permit. I did this for 2 years and upon the 2nd year renewal I was granted a B permit. No marriage required. Your partner just has to sign that he is taking on your expenses here/ providing health insurance and you need to give proof that you are enrolled in school plus if you take any exams it helps. You wont be able to work, but you can search in the meantime.

Or get pregnant (still no marriage required).

Hi, the residency permit that you might have heard about with `sufficient funds`is about $10,000 in the bank PER month. So if you want to stay for a year, you would need about $120,000 in the bank now to prove it. I would say try to find a job anyway and give it a try! I think that your best bet is with a large firm who can prove that they need you over someone else due to your English skills. It just might work. But prepare yourself - it might not go as fast as you want --- I have been here for 2+ years and got denied for a permit everytime I applied. Ended up that my Swiss boyfriend proposed and now we are married. Good luck to you!!!!

I am in a similar situation, but with a little twist... I am a US Citizen living with my French boyfriend just over the border in France. I have an offer from a company in Geneva to work, pending the G permit being issued (Border permit which they are doing the paperwork for). Based on the forms that I have been given to complete, the Swiss Cantonal office needs me to provide proof that I have to have a long stay visa to live in France. However, the French consulate in the US denied the long stay visa stating that I must first show the Swiss work permit... Like the story of the chicken and egg.... One side has to give in first. I have a meeting with the Mayor in the town in France where we live to see if he can help. Any ideas or suggestions to address this contradiction on the swiss side?