Hello English forumites...
I'd be really grateful if anyone has any advice on the below subject

My boyfriend and I currently reside in Switzerland as of 11 days ago, which is very exciting.
He is a working Australian with an L Permit, awaiting C permit when he is officially obtains his UK citizenship in a few months. He works for swiss company who've obtained the correct permits for him to stay.
I am an UK citizen hoping to work self employed in Zurich as a Naturopathic Nutritionist.
A Swiss resident company told me, in my situation I have 4 options:-

1. I can either try and gain employment in Switzerland with a Swiss company who can arrange a C-Permit
2. Become a Student to obtain a permit
3. Get married - Obtain a permit for 5 years
4. Write a letter to the specific Canton with a 'just cause' case, explaining that my partner would like me to remain in Switzerland with him and he can provide/support for me whilst residing in Switzerland, to then obtain a Permit C

I will try option 1 to start with, working with the Expat community would be ideal, searching for a nutrition based companies in and around Zurich would be helpful, if anyone has any ideas please let me know.

I also wondered does anyone have any knowledge of this 'just cause' letter to have your partner remain in Zurich, perhaps you've been through that stage, failed or exceed, or have any advice it generally would be hugely appreciated.

Thanking you in advance

Beth

It will be a B-permit that you both receive, not a c-permit.

You can apply for a permit on the basis of being self employed. I'm not sure exactly how this works, I guess you have to produce some sort of business plan to prove you will actuallly be making money.

If you are an EU passport holder there is probably no problem with getting a permit to work for a company or to be self employed, you will need to register with your town hall and apply for appropriate permit there. Wouldn't be a C though, that's a few years down the line. Good luck.

It may be immediately beneficial to sign up for a language school, pay in advance for say, four months, then approach the authorities - letter from the school in hand - and ask for an L permit. This will likely be offered and is valid for 18 months, giving you time to get yourself settled, find a job, catch your breath.

Your partner would be wise to get the UK passport asap; it will only help the cause. Of course, nobody is really going to know if someone should remain longer than the three months a standard tourist visa allows, especially if you plan tactical trips to Italy now and then

Pleading letters are not likely to cut any mustard unless one of you are Swiss already. It's not enough to be rich and eager to live here - unless you're seriously wealthy - so perhaps a low profile would be a good tactic for the time being. Good luck.

Come down to one of our social events - see the calendar - and have a chat with some of us who've been here a while. And enjoy a beer.

__________________
English Forum Social Events Calendar / Advanced Forum search / If all else fails / Props

Island monkey, mabern and Unkle Max... your advice is invaluable, I thank you for your openess and incite. This has inspired me greatly. You are correct about a B permit, that should be easily obtained by when i become employed with a Swiss company.

As for self employment, a B-permit is permitted if you can produce your tax returns for the last year you were in business in the UK to prove you can start making a living here in switzerland from the first month, which is good news But if your business is in its infancy, in the first year without completing a full tax year, you will not be able to obtain a b permit, and will have to seek employment etc.. to obtain this permit... so i have learned, I purchased a book called 'Living and Working in Switzerland' by David Hampshire.
http://www.amazon.com/Living-Working.../dp/190113024X that made things much more clearer for me.
Unkle Max, I sure like your loop holes and wise advice the Language school is a genius idea, one that has been put into practice from my feeling. I shall surely work toward living here and take all your well supported advice on board...
I shall let you know how i get on... and im sure more questions will fly.

In the mean time, I would very much like to share a story or two over a beer, i'll follow the link soon.
Again, many thanks for your well wishes and advice.
Perhaps see you in the Winterwonderland ahead!! Enjoy

Love and light
B