Hello good people of EF,

May I just start by saying that I am impressed by the civility of this forum! It must be second to none on the Internet where involving onself in most forums feels like wading in sewer, insult, and a general unhelpful waste of time. So bravo to EF! (Does it take a LOT of moderation?)

Here's the thing. I'm a Norwegian citizen who is in Zurich at the moment, doing research for a company I have yet to formally set up. I've had a online presence for it, and I do profit from it as well, although only a little since that hasn't been the actual point of the site so far. It has mostly been there for testing and data gathering purposes for 1 1/2 years.
I need to do some research her in Switzerland for a while, let's say around 9 months, simultaneously I will fully conceptualize the planned business and formalize the businessplan, before funding it (sorted already) and formally set up the company (out of Switzerland).

Again, it is not university related research. I am fully self-employed.
I have my own funds to live from, so I don't have any problems looking after my own social matters - sociopolitically speaking.

I am going to apply for a residence permit, and from having read the offical notes of the immigration office and having briefly talked to the embassy, this seemed to be within my rights.
Based on some of what I've read otherwise though, it seems that based on my current situation, that is, with issues such as not having a final businees plan to show etc. at the time of the application, the immigration office may not grant me a residenc permit.
Is this the correct way to understand it?

"An employer must sign their employees application form. Self-employed people also require a letter of motivation, a CV and a copy of all relevant documents, such as business plan, contacts, degrees. Retirees are also required to show proof of funds and Swiss health insurance."
http://geneva.angloinfo.com/countrie.../residency.asp

Anyone out there who is an authority on such issues?
What would I eventually have to do to be 'within minimum standards" in my case?
Headsup?
Options?

Practically speaking I wouldn't be a problem or burden to the Swiss public authorities since I can take care of myself (additionally I come from a wealthier and more organised country than Switzerland), but bureaucratically speaking?

Well I hope this doesn't seem uncivil, and I apologise that I'm not answering your permits question, but ... Norway wealthier than Switzerland????

And better organised? Have you seen the train system here?!



EDIT: You've got a point, on a per capita basis, I guess ...

Yes the Norwegian railways are poor at keeping their schedule. Truly poor. Btw, have you seen the roads in Zurich these days? All the garbage in the streets? All the graffiti?
Concering wealth you read it out of context. Socioeconomically speaking being a Norwegian citizen in Switzerland would statistically speaking be less of a burden than being a Swiss in Norway.
Any more timewasters?

Interesting. I guess one can't call that racist, just smug. I'm not sure why you think a Norwegian is superior (in Switzerland) to some other nationality, nor why a Norwegian abroad is superior to a Swiss citizen abroad. That's certainly the way your original post reads, and it struck me as odd that you'd ask for help from a forum by making such comments about the people who live here.

Are you aware that you need to obtain your own health insurance here, regardless of your nationality, if resident in Switzerland? That unemployment benefits accrue only with employment here? That you'd be as much, and as little, a burden on Switzerland as any other nationality?

Perhaps I've misunderstood you -- you certainly opened your post in a very complimentary manner -- but that's the way I read the last line of your post.

Norway ranks first in HDI globally, a good mix of many socio-economic indicators.

But it really depends; both economies and social-political systems are very different; Norway has a strong state presence in its economy (especially health-care and natural resources), whilst Switzerland is mainly private and economically diversified amongst many sectors (industry, chemicals, healthcare, financial services, etc...).

Norwegian income taxes are significantly higher (28%) and the country has both capital-gains and wealth taxes. Swiss income taxes can be much much lower (depending on income and canton of course) and Switzerland has no capital-gains tax (however that isn't really an advantage if you are a US citizen living in CH, you still have to file it in the US =).

I've contributed to putting this thread off course, for which I apologise. In the interest of the OP getting an answer to his question, could I ask that responses from here on be on topic?

And to the OP, I've read and reread your original post and I really misunderstood you -- I see now (that I'm not speed-reading!) that you didn't mean what I thought you did.

Sincere apologies and I hope someone here can help with your query.

Thank you, but don't worry about it, I knew that sentence was one that could be easily misunderstood/taken in offense but I added it just for perspective anyway.
See, this is what I mean - One sweet forum!

Hi Brickroad,

We setup a Swiss GmbH in 2002 with the help of Gabrielle Grether of Grether MacGeorge (http://www.gmacg.com)

I realise your circumstances are a little different but I daresay Gaby would be able to guide you through the red tape and I would advise you to give her a call rather than taking the opinion of the armchair lawyers here.

Certainly, setting up the company was not too difficult as both myself and co-director are EU citizens and the bilateral agreement between CH and the EU have made such things a lot easier. With Norway not being EU I have no idea how it would work for you.

If you go as fully self-employed rather than as a company owner, you will probably need help with your business plan etc and I would bet Gaby can help there also.

I would give her a call in the first instance - very often she does not charge for a brief phone conversation - and take it from there.

Cheers,
Nick

Thank you for that specific example and tip!
I have thought along those lines, but still hadn't used it as an option. I'll try to do some more research on this.

Norway being EFTA, it's pretty much samey-same with the EU.

Now that was easy. Too easy in fact. All my worries were totally undue!
There were no issues at all, even when I asked for confirmation on all of the issues I was unsure about.
Now the weird part; how likely is it that when you walk into a public building of a country you haven't been in for over 10 years, that you meet a bureaucrat who as it turns out, have several friends in common with you!?
I'm not suggesting anything here, it went entirely after protocol, but that happenstance sure made me feel more at ease about my stay here.