Lucky you! I am under the impression that C permits are centrally controlled by Bern. I wonder how your Gemeinde could do it on its own then. Do you reckon they would have liaised with Bern and then offered it to you. Or are the rules different for US citizens?

Generally, Canton Zurich is much more efficient when it comes to renewal of permits. Our B permits used to be renewed in 2-3 weeks while we were there. Vaud takes anywhere between 2 to 3 months.

Apologies... didn't mean to scare you.
I too thought it was too long, but being non-EU\non-US does have its disadvantages. From my past experience I was prepared to wait for as long as it took. It was kinda, apply and forget. Then it doesn't hurt as much

Although I can tell you that for the moment, having a C permit hasn't changed anything. It is easier to carry though and looking at the next renewal date in 2014 helps

Feel free to PM me if you have more questions.

Cheers,

Many thanks. As I said, I do have some questions. I will PM.

Strange that I know someone who actually got it within 1 month after submitting all the documents.

How come could you trade your B permit with a C permit, if you have a Non EU citizenship? That's indeed pretty nice though.

As I know of, if someone is not from a EU country, he has to stay here for 10 years in order to acquire a C permit.

Can you help me to understand this? I am from the USA as well, and coming up on my 5 years in August. Should I just reapply for the B, then attempt a trade? How does the trade manifest itself?

Yes, you can do that. You just fill in the application form and wait. From recent past results it seems that those from the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are having little trouble in getting an early C these days.

Sorry Bob, but what do you mean by an early C? It's enshrined in the law of the land, it's not early by my understanding, but the rules... Thanks, for the reply BTW

Americans are entitled to a C after five years on a B. When my five years hit, I was sent a renewal for a B, but they did send me a C (I qualified as both an American and the spouse of a Swiss citizen). I believe my employer attached a note to that effect to the renewal application, but I'm not sure.

Noted here: http://www.bfm.admin.ch/etc/medialib...regelung-d.pdf - 5 Years for USA, Canada, Aussies and New Zealanders still 10...

Aus Gegenrechtserwägungen erhalten die Angehörigen folgender Staaten die Niederlassungsbewilligung nach einem ordnungsgemässen und ununter-brochenen Aufenthalt von fünf Jahren:
Finnland
Grossbritannien
Irland
Island
Luxemburg
Norwegen
Schweden
Vereinigte Staaten von Amerika (USA)
Kanada

Basically says that CH and the above countries have mutual agreements and it's 5 years...

It has been addressed in the following thread: Vinta? I am soooooo upset!

Since 2006 there is a new amendment of the "foreigner law" that enables foreigners under some conditions to get their C permit earlier. This is mainly for non-EU and/or AELE foreigners, I would say.
The main conditions are:
- stable revenues and job
- no criminal records
- mastering one of the national languages
- does not represent a risk for the confederation

The minimum duration is in any case 5 years before asking it.

References are (in german):
Art 34 alinea 4: (AuG : ausländergesetz)
http://www.admin.ch/ch/d/sr/1/142.20.de.pdf
Art 62:
http://www.admin.ch/ch/d/sr/1/142.201.de.pdf

Yes, you're right, poor choice of words.

My ex-boss is Australian, and he received it after 5 years. His
German is almost non-existent though.

Just wanted to close the loop...

As I had mentioned we (Non EU, non US, Canada, Australia, NZ etc) had submitted an application for C permit (in the form of a letter addressed to the Canton) to be granted to us, along with our forms for renewal of our existing B permit.

At the time of submitting the application, we had completed 8 (I) and 7 years (family) in CH instead of the required 10.

They asked for Charecter certificates, school certificate for our daughhter and proof of language proficiancy (French and or German since she goes to an English school). After six months (and three returning visae for me), our C permits were received last week.

well done ! Those returning visas cost a lot though !

Thanks Danny. The returning visae cost a lot. CHF93 each time. I had to have three and my wife needed one but in the end it was worth it.

The moral of the story is, under VINTA it is possible for Non EU nationals to obtain C permit if they have stayed in CH for more than 5 years continoûousl, if they are of good charecter, not on state aid and can demonstrate proficiency in one of the Swiss languages ( a course certificate would do).

If anyone in situation similar to ours wants to apply, I would say go for it. Cheers..

I just got my 6th renewal today for my B permit - the header on the letter says - "Ausweis B". I would like to apply for the C, which I can do as a US national. Can I do this with this form? I cannot see anywhere on it that I indicate I want a C, I have my criminal records check, my language test, and am trying to get a no social assistence letter... but do not know what to do. Any help would be appreciated.

Pop down to the Gemeinde and explain what you want to do.

Simples.

Yep, I'm U.S. and got my C after 5 years. It was so painless I don't remember what I had to do but it wasn't much. The only b1tch was there was a period where my B was expired and the C hadn't shown up yet, about two months as I recall. Then one day there it was very unceremoniously in my mailbox .