Hi there, I've had a look but I couldn't find an answer relevent to my situation. I'm UK national and my L permit is expiring on the 11th January 2012.

Despite my best efforts, I haven't managed to find a job (sadly, I only have 6 months work experience due to the UK's crappy job market, and this seems to work against me!).

My girlfriend and I are in the process of getting married, however due to various establishments requiring that they have my passport for a period of between 1 - 4 weeks and an awkwardly placed trip back to the UK, we're not going to be able to get married before the permit would expire.

Why do they need to take my passport for so long if they won't accept a copy of it, or don't want to check it while I stand there in the office?

Anyway, that's besides the point I guess.

I need to know firstly - What are the chances of getting the L permit renewed? I've taken a course in Swiss German but sadly I can't start a High German course until January. My partner's parents have made a letter and signed it stating that they will cover my cost of living here until I can find work.

When I first came here, the guy who helped us with my permit application in the first place said that renewal would be no problem, however when we called last week a different employee said that there's pretty much no chance of having it renewed, which has caused us no end of panic.

If I have to leave Switzerland for a bit - how long do I have to leave for? I've seen that if I stayed for 3 months as a tourist, then I would have to leave for 3 months before i can come back - but is this the same for someone who's L permit has expired? Also - we came here on the 11th of July. My permit ends on the 11th January 2012 - which is obviously 6 months.

I thought I had 3 month's grace as a tourist? Can I have that after my permit has expired, or did I make a mistake in setting up the permit immediately upon arrival? Thanks for the help, we're quite desperate at the moment!

You are from the UK and you are on an L permit?

I thought all european bods effectively got B permits? Or maybe thats only if your working. Was you ever working?

Hi - Before coming here (we didn't really intend to move from the UK - but things got so bad over there money wise we didn't really have much choice!), the Swiss embassy gave us the impression that I would pretty much be guaranteed a B permit.

Upon application, I was given an L - but no, I've never been employed in Switzerland and in the UK I was self employed.

Yeah my knowledge on this isnt great, all I know is every person in my office from UK or other Europe got B permits, and all the US people got L permits.

But maybe because you had no job to go to, or because of your self employed status then thats why, but I am not sure.

I am sure someone on here will be able to help you out though

I'm from the UK and have an L permit, I was told I'd be given this permit whilst job seeking and if I find work then I'd be transferred onto a B permit.

I was also told that if I didn't find work then my boyfriend (also from the UK with a B permit due to permanent work in CH) could just write a letter stating that he will provide financially for both of us.

I'm not sure if this helps but I'd speak to the office where you initially registered and doublecheck the situation.

Yes, this is the point of the letter from my partner's parents. My partner could also provide for us once the permit has expired - however the woman at the migration office either ignored this or didn't seem to think that it matted, however the first guy that helped with my initial application said the same as what your boyfriend has been told.

Most worried at the moment as I really can't face the prospect of living alone in England for 3 months or more (can't find out how long I need to be out of CH before I can come back, either!) or worse, with family.

Doesn't help that the British embassy is closed today either!

Try this page and the rest of the website:

http://www.bfm.admin.ch/content/bfm/...b_eu_efta.html

It seems to say here that if you can prove you have sufficient financial means (ie gf's support) then you'll be entitled to a B permit. Though I'm no expert obviously!

Good luck