Hi All.
New at this Forum although I knew it from before.
I have a question:
I did a post-diplomand Praktikant (research with UniZH) job for over a year (2001-2002) and later I was offered a PhD (from 2002-2007). Right after, I've been offered a 3 years PostDoc, which is what I do at the moment. I've heard rumors about problems in staying in Switzerland with a B permit for more than certain amount of years (I think 8). My nationality is Colombian and I'm aware that I'm not entitled to get automatically a C permit due to my nationality.
Does anyone knows about it?
Cheers to all
Jota

There's plenty of discussion about this elsewhere on the forum, but I believe that years on a student B permit do not count towards a C permit or naturalization.

That is completely correct. I came in 2002 for a PhD, now working for over a year and tried to get a C permit after 5 years and was told *very* clearly that student time didn't count to the 5 years for canadians to get a C permit. Though I still want to argue that a PhD is not a student, since there is am employment contract...

Click here

Swiss Law is very clear that student permit holder CANNOT get permit C.

Hi all,

It depends on what kind of B permit you have. There is one type that one can find in a box of kellogs corn flakes - basically anyone can have that, and then there is one that belongs in the contingent, which is controlled by official yearly quotas. I think its something to do with a permit called an EG/EFTA.

You are right though students time doesn't count.

Cheers

Can somebody please clarify this for me?

A person comes to CH to study for several years,spend loads of time and money in Switzerland for outrageous college fees (no offense PHD's) and living expenses-and yet-after several years of doing this to the betternment of the swiss communinty AND economy,can STILL not obtain the rightful permits others have gotten more easily,without benifit of time well spent here???

Wow,what they say is true,

you really do learn something new everydayUNGLAUBLICH!

Let's not throw wild and disorienting hypotheses if we don't have an idea, shall we?

Interesting..
PHD is considered to be studying????
Wow......First time I hear of being paid to learn []

That would be great, wouldn't it? You may get the permit C, give a try!

Actually , not so wild and not so disorienting, not even a hypothesis. The contingent as far as I've been led to believe by my personnel department is still valid for people from so-called third countries. There are different conditions for EU citizens. I checked this out with the our personnel department late last year to ensure that I was eligible for a C-permit (in other words I wanted to know if the years I've worked here actually count). I looked into this because I know people who had b permits where the years did not count - they didn't know this until they asked about C permit.

If you know what the real situation is concerning b-permits, then I would suggest you share your knowledge with the frustrated people writing to this forum.

Ciao

Well... no one forced you to come here in the first place. And when you made such a decision you were probably fully aware of the consequences and benefits (and possibility that the rules can always be changed). If you don't like the rules - then nobody forces you to stay here. Probably there will be other willing to be in your place (and if not, maybe at some point rules will be changed to attract some people). The logic behind is pretty obvious and I don't really understand the wailing tone...

I would suggest you read these.

Non-EU Permits - a few bullet points.

EU Permits - A few bullet points

Ciao.

Clarification: At least at ETH all the PhD students get a salary, approx 2500Fr/mt minimum with most of the engineering schools 5-6k, so it can´t really be argued that there was no pay back - 100k-200k over the course of you studies plus the Dr title aint a bad payback.

You want to ease up there,I was merely hypothisizing on student life,so don't get your panties in a wad they disparage your contours.You seem to think I have ill feelings about being here,get your facts before opening your trap,I am married to a swiss native and don't have the problems other people have conc. permits.or the RULES.
to say i am wailing is is way off the mark,you obviously must be a beuroucrat to take that attitude,try boxer shorts,they don't ride up so much and maybe you will ease off on me......dude

that is only partially correct in that this time might or might not count towards eligibility for C permit, but it definitely does count towards naturalisation.
there is no limit on the number of times that B permit can be renewed, as far as I know (as long as there are grounds for renewal).
btw, someone who is normally eligible for C permit only after 10 years can get it in 5 years if he is "well integrated" (usually a language test + a proof that you do not depend on public funds)

It is very difficult to renew a student permit past the eight year mark. Not impossible, but very very difficult.

Ouch - who is renewing theirs student permit for 8 years? I guess someone who does their diplom and PhD in CH might get to that limit. I think ETH has a hard limit on PhDs at 5 years, but that just might be the absolute limit for funding. I'm sure they are still happy for you to hang around and work for free

As far as I know, after somebodies finish PhD program, many will continue their Postdoc in CH. Postdoc identity is still catogorized into student B.

and why would that be? is it just a rumour or are there any official rules regarding this?