I searched the forum and while there are multiple threads on B permit extension, I couldn't find one that talks about the forms other than the general grey form "Verfallsanzeige (Ausweis B VZAE)."

I've always had an open (unlimited) contract with a large financial company directly. However, it appears that I did no get an unrestricted B permit. Long story short, on my initial approval letter back in 2009, it listed the following:
Zulassungcode: 1402 Jahresaufenthalter
Aufenthaltsdauer: 12 Monate befristet auf 24 Monate

So my understanding is that my permit is only extendable for up to 2 years based on the above.

I have not received any renewal letter despite the fact that my current permit will expire in less than one month. I phoned Zurich Migrationsamt this morning and the lady told me that I need to go to my Gemeinde and submit the renewal form (with employer stamp). I believe this is the standard form. But then, I told her that there is a 24 month limitation on my permit. She then said that if this is the case, my employer needs to reapply. However, when I went to the Gemeinde earlier today, they said I just need the form....

The person in charge of permits at work is on holiday, so I am wondering if one of our EF experts might be able to pitch in for the time being. What I would like to know is that:
- Do I just fill out the "standard" Verfallsanzeige form (like last year) and ask HR to stamp this as usual?
- Or do I not need to fill out this form and my employer would need to reapply for a permit?

And one additional question:
- With an American passport, is it OK to leave the country and return after my permit expires? My first port of entry to the Schengen zone will be in Paris. Or, do I need the visa from Migrationsamt?

Thanks in advance

Looks like your employer cocked up so why not just hand it back to them to sort out?

Because the person in charge of permit application and issues is on holiday at work and I'm going on holidays abroad leaving mid next week and by the time I come back, my permit will have expired. I am thinking about getting the re-entry visa from Migrationsamt as suggested; however, in order to do so, the Migrationsamt must've already received my renewal application, so I now have 3 days to get the renewal application stamped by HR and Gemeinde, and bring to Migrationsamt for the visa (was told this will be better in urgent cases instead of bringing the form back to the Gemeinde).

Unless of course, if I "don't really need" a re-entry visa with my American passport entering first Schengen port in France. Then in this case, I can just wait and not worry...

ps. wouldn't been quite as worried if my first port is in Switzerland - know many people (Americans) entering without re-entry visa and on an expired permit, but not so sure with France

So, am hoping to know what needs to be done - whether it's just the "same old form" (which I can get HR stamps it already today), or if the employer needs to initiate some "other application/process"...

Any idea?

yeah, it's my fault for not thinking about this earlier! completely forgotten that my permit will have expired by the time of my return from my holidays!

My divorce lawyer told me that Americans generally weren't given unrestricted permits, so that is interesting *trolls google and forums to learn more* I don't know what form you would need.

What I do know, having done it for other reasons, is that you don't need to come in on a visa even if you are coming back to work.

Sorry your job messed up good luck!

Hi

you can do one thing. Go to Geminde and ask them for the renewal form. Go to your HR and get the form stamped and fill and submit it to the Geminde. Generally the Geminde keep the renewal form, I used them once when I wanted to apply for the renewal early.

The only point you need to worry about is why the Migrationsamt didn't send you the renewal form. The clue is in the reply from Swissbob that your employer forgot to apply for the extension of your 24 months of restricted access, so chase them too. Good luck..

Ok, that makes more sense now. So, am I correct to assume that:

1. I need to do the usual renewal - form from Geminde (already got today!) and then stamp by HR, and then back to get it stamped at Gemeinde and then I can bring to Migrationsamt myself for faster service since I need to apply for re-entry visa (Migrationsamt told me that i can bring the form myself after validating it at the Gemeinde).

and

2. At the same time, my employer needs to send in request for extension? will need to wait until the person is back from holidays! Argh...

Well no, it's clearly your employer's fault .

This at least covers your own back.

... and hope that it is approved .

Did you move house ? Our renewal forms were not sent because they wrongly assumed that we had already done them...

Be careful on doing this, if you fly for example to the U.S (or any other non EU country). the airline may request you before flying back to Switzerland, your swiss residence permit, if not, you will need to buy a return ticket to the USA.

Very good point! Completely forgot about this. Never had anyone checking in the US though, but we are going to Asia this time and they are quite strict there... luckily, am leaving Switzerland to the UK in Oct for a few days and back home in Jan, so <90 days in Schengen! so should be alright from that end luckily'

Guess I'll need to bring copies of my January flight ticket.

Indeed. This just happened to my neighbour last weekend - it was ok in the end after much arguing with the Spanish airline (point of entry into Schengen) but it was touch and go for a bit.

update...

HR back in the office and has applied for the needed extension. Meanwhile, I've been to Migrationsamt and have gotten my re-entry visa (CHF90 for a 2-month multi entry) with the completed renewal form (stamped by the Gemeinde) and a copy of the extension application my employer sent me.

now just have to wait for the decision on the extension. Was told that it'll get approved by the employer... so certainly hope so ... will also update afterwards if I end up getting an unrestricted B this time

extension approved, but looks like still a restricted permit...

so, everything went super fast for me I guess while I was away. The letter from the Amt fur Wirtschaft und Arbeit listing the condition is dated 21 Sep, just a day after my employer has applied for the extension. And the Stellenantritt is dated 23 Sep. The postmark on the permit is 2 Oct, and I have picked up the new permit at the Post already

However, seems like the new permit is just approved as a 12-month extension to my current one. Still carrying the same restriction: "Nur für erwähnten Aufenthaltszweck" and it also says "Bewilligte Verlangerungsdauer: 12 Mt." (my prevous permit has 24 months here)

Does this mean that we need to apply again (and not just the annual formality renewal) next year? Annoying...

Last renewal you had 24 months left. Now you have 12 months left.

It might. It may also mean that your time is up. It looks very much like a project based permit which are usualy max 2 years plus an exceptional 1 year extension. I would take this up with your employer now - don't leave it until it's too late .

Company confirmed that the permit in question is not project based, but tied to employer (I already knew that it's tied anyway), and can be renewed annually without hassle (well, with just formality and nothing to worry)... does this sound right? Sounds weird based on what I read on the letter though.

Having gone through it myself, I can post the following --

Have your employer apply to the Arbeit & Wirtschaft Amt for a conversion. This costs something like 200 CHF. Nationality may not be relevant since you already have a time-limited B. But the preconditions are that you are still with the same employer, and you have a permanent, not time-limited work contract.

The outcome of the application is conveyed to you and also to the Migrationsamt, who is responsible for granting the actual permits.

Once you get a Ok from this Arbeit Amt go and see the Migrationsamt with your old permit.

Yes, still with the same employer and yes have always had an open-ended work contract.

I am not sure what my employer applied for, but it was an application to the Arbeit & Wirtschaft Amt. Then, I got a copy (from my employer) of the approval letter from the Arbeit & Wirtschaft Amt asking my employer to pay CHF 200. So this does sound like what you are talking about.

However, my new permit is still tied to my employer, so I'm assuming conversion doesn't automatically take away previously imposed limitation...

Ok that does sound like the same thing. It seems they rejected the "conversion" -- there is usually the name & number of the person who was responsible for your file. You could call up the people and ask them why your permit was not converted -- or have the HR call them up if you are not too comfortable with your German.

I would advise you to get this right if you are planning to be here for some time; getting a new permit after your current permit has expired will be time consuming (and perhaps subject to quotas if you are non-EU)

Just wondering why you think that they've rejected my conversion? I did get an "approval" letter asking for the employer to pay and I have gotten my new permit already.

The letter from Arbeit & Wirtschaft Amt has the following:

Verfugung:
Das Gesuch wird gestutzt wuf Art. 22 und Art. 33 Abs. 2 AuG (Bundesgesetz uber die Auslanderinnen und Auslander) sowie Art. 83 Abs. 3 VZAE bewilligt.

Bewilligter Termin fur den Stellenantritt: [date]

Auflagen und Bedingungen gemass Art. 83 Abs. 3 VZAE: Nur fur erwahnten Aufenthaltszweck.

Any insights?