Life as usual, I get the letter from the city reminding me that my C-Permit is about to expire. I should bring it by the office with my passport for verification.

No big deal. A week later another letter. My C-permit is ready for pick-up at the same office. Even tells me exactly how much the renewal costs so I can bring exact change (making life easier for everybody).

So, I'd pick my permit. Pay the expenses, get a receipt and be on my merry way.

However, this year I noticed something different. As I was making the scan/copy of my permit that I carry in my wallet, I noticed that it was good till 2013. Hmmmm, how long were the others good for? The last two have only been three years as I noticed on the copies that I had kept (just in case).

So, my permit history:

• one L for three months,
• five B for one year each and
• three C permits for three years each.

Starting now, with 15 years in St. Gallen I get my first 5 year C permit. Komisch.

Has anybody else experienced a three year C permit? ... or has everybody, everywhere else been handed out 5 year C permits?

OK, surely it is a Canton thing. But, still... odd.

I'm in Basel Stadt and just received my first C permit (American, married to a Swiss and living here over five years). It expires in 2013 as well.

Mine too. Asked around office - no-one has a 3 year one.

We are non-EU, 5 years on B permit in canton ZH.

C Permit in ZH -Kontrollfrist 3 years

Moved to SZ, C permit issued for the remainder of those 3 years.

Renewed in SZ (2 years later), Kontrollfrist 3 years.

Rumor has it that our next C permit will be 5 years.

On my second C permit. Both valid for 5 years.

But I have an EU passport (Swissbob too?). Is it an EU/non-EU thing? Evilshell has a Swiss spouse, so different rules may apply there.

Thanks for your responses thus far.

Apparently there are a number of factors involved; EU/non-EU, married or not and of course the Canton. Which one could/should come to expect.

Of course, I am not complaining. It has not been any problems for me. I pay my taxes and (try to) stay out of trouble

[QUOTE=Scott;240823]Thanks for your responses thus far.

Apparently there are a number of factors involved; EU/non-EU, married or not and of course the Canton. Which one could/should come to expect.

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Ya, non EU nationals get it for 3 years only

Well, at least we have three years... then five after you have proven yourself

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and you have proven yourself..well done !

]Starting now, with 15 years in St. Gallen I get my first 5 year C permit. Komisch.

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Actually, you have proven yourself enough to qualify for the CH passport. 12 years needed.

True, in some communities, Gemeinden and Cantons.

In the Canton I live in, St. Gallen, the earliest I can apply for the Swiss Citizenship and receive the passport, is with 5 years in St. Gallen.

However, the Gemeinde/City that I live in requires 10 years registered in the city. The reason is, earlier there were many foreigners that abused this rule.

No problem, I am not in a hurry to get the Swiss Passport. There are two advantages of having it... the first is the blue passport from the USA, I don't have to hide it or pay extra Visa costs when traveling to certain countries. Second advantage is that I can then vote in Switzerland. I am not in a hurry there either.

So, I will wait out my four years and apply for the citizenship then.

But thanks for the thought anyway

American. First 5 years with B permit, renewed each year. Then a three year C permit which expires this year. I hope the next one is good for five years. It would also be nice if I only have to bring it by the town hall to get it renewed. The forms aren't bad, but I don't want to have to give up the paper until I get a new one. I'll be out of the country the month before it expires and I hope it doesn't complicate things. Guess I'll worry about that in August - and maybe look it up on the kanton website.

Still haven't decided about the Swiss Passport. Voting might be nice.

Actually, renewing was only signing a preprinted form with name and address. The Einwohneramt verified my passport number and expiration date. And, yes. I did have to give up the C. That is why I always make a copy for my wallet.

The C came back a week later, no problems.

Since you will be away Capacitrix, check with the locals if you can renew early. Should not be a problem.

This must be new for non-EU nationals. Last I heard was a 10 year period to get a C. From this thread, it looks like even a C does not last forever i.e. have to keep paying to renew, no real difference from B (benefits perhaps and what exactly?).

It's actually called naturalization or citizenship. I even know one or two folks that took citizenship and have no swiss passport. Though, as an American, there are advantages to having a swiss passport.

Our experience is that we got a letter from the "Gemeinde" (town) every year that asked us to pick up our B passes. We had to fill out a simple form, and send it beforehand, but then it was just to go there and pick it up. After 4 years they changed it to a C pass without us asking, and now we only have to pick up a new one every 5 years. We just renewed our C pass, and it still has the same B pass picture in it. Yay.

Forgive my ignorance on this, or flame a way as you wish, what benefits does a C permit (be it a 3 or 5 year) offer over a B permit (be it a 1 or 5 year)?

5 year C pass here as well.

IMO, very little. Call it security.

To my knowledge there are a number of little things, weapons, business registration, deposits for telephone, etc. Surely there are more. And I am sure others will add the things I missed

Well, for us (non-EU) having a C permit meant that we were no longer required to reside in the canton in which my husband (the WP holder) works.