I have been working in the Basel area for over 6 months now, and am very unhappy with my job. Without going to specifics, the job responsibilities have changed and this is not what I signed up for.

My Visa expires in the middle of 2009, with the B permit in Spring of 2009.

• What happens if I resign without another job lined up?
• Does my visa become invalid?
• I am currently searching for a job, but want to hand in the resignation without new emplyment lined up. How risky is this?

Very risky. I highly recommend you put up with the crappy job until you find something else. Also, with the recession and headcount reductions, plus hiring freezes in the major companies, it will not be a fast process....

Regarding Visa: if you have a EU visa, you have a bit more flexibility than if you dont.

Wow, I'm sorry. That is not a really nice situation to be in. Unfortunately, I think paulita is probably right. This is all assuming that you are non-EU. There is an information sheet (Aufenthaltsregelung: http://http://www.bfm.admin.ch/etc/medialib/data/migration/rechtsgrundlagen/weisungen_und_kreisschreiben/weisungen_auslaenderbereich/aufenthalstregelung.Par.0001.File.tmp/Aufenthaltsregelung_d.pdf) explaining the residency rules in more detail. It is only in German but basically it says that if you have a one year permit and you are no longer employed when renewal comes up again, you should assume that your permit will not be renewed.

One possible way to get a new permit and quit your job would be to sign up for some kind of further training or education. You would need to check this out carefully though.

You don't actually speak German, do you? Because that says exactly the opposite...