We are waiting for the residence permit decision from the canton of Geneva, Switzerland.

The Lady in the Office Cantonal of Geneva said the we cannot travel outside the canton of geneva as of now while waiting for the decision. but the office lawyer said we can travel within Switzerland. which one is right? its so hard because we wanted to go skiing in Nyon just outside Geneva 30 minutes by train. also if we decided to go back to home country they will continue processing the permit. but what will the passport control stamp to our passport because our visa has expired already just this jan. 2.

thank you!

*we have entered geneva legally with a visit visa.

Get either of them to put it in writing, and you'll find out who is right.

Without knowing your exact circumstances, it's impossible for anyone here to give you proper advice. Either your lawyer or the lady at the Cantonal office is correct. Who do you trust?

i know! its so hard! my husband asked also in the cantonal office and he was also given a different answers. i don't want to compromise our stay here so i think I'll stick to Geneva for the meantime. i know it sucks for my son! thank you!

Can't you visit the immigration office with your lawyer? When you're getting conflicting advice, the best way to hit it on the head is to get both sides round a table.

And as NotAllThere said, get the outcome in writing.

Although to be honest, I would be more likely to go with the authority's version of what can and cannot be done. Ultimately, a piece of paper written by your lawyer saying what you can and cannot do won't stack up against an official "declaration". Although if you do have a visitor's permit, I don't see why you cannot travel. Is it possible that the original person didn't know you had a visit visa?

All highly confusing...

...shame to miss out on the excellent skiing ops at the mo though!

How are they going to know if you've been outside canton of Geneva then ? so skiing should be no problem.

As to leaving the country and passing a passport control with an expired visa, this may be considered as foolish and result in expulsion as you have no valid visa. Switzerland have to abide by Schengen rules now, as well as their own.

thank you for all the advise! it/s really confusing when the authorities are giving you different answers to one question.

I have not seen any skiing in Nyon, you probably mean the Ste-Cergue in the mountains cca 30mins away from Nyon with lifts, etc. It is lovely there, we just rode sleds there yesterday, the lifts didn't work (there is also a training lift and slope for the little ones or beginners). I think it does not work during the week or when there is too little of snow. I can't imagine that anyone would stop your car or ask you in Ste Cergue to make you present your passport? Besides, I have a feeling your lawyer is right, I have heard about some bilateral agreements between Nyon and other little small towns around Geneva and Geneva itself, regarding domicile rules, work, commuting, I think childcare as well, etc. However, it was only by word of mouth and I am not sure. At the end, it is up to you to weight the risks.