We are applying for French and Swiss D permits - how long did it take for you to receive them? We are debating whether to drive 9 hours (and save a ton of money) or fly to the consulate to apply. But the difference in dates is one week, we'll already being cutting it close for our July 1 departure. Thanks

No such thing as a D permit. Suspect you refer to a visa. Try searching - covered at least 3 million times.

Well aren't you sweet. Thanks for the help.

Easy there lady. Swissbob is a mine of useful information and spends a LOT of time on here passing it on to new members. Although I am unlikely to need his help, I'd think twice before I made even slightly sarcastic replies to his posts. Quip in haste, repent at leisure.

I just came back from Canada with a D visa, which allows me to have the same permit which is an L, that my husband has. Your question begs more information before anyone can answer you.

You may like to take a moment, and read the posts through-out this form. Then you will have some understanding of what information to provide before any one can be of assistance. For example, you cannot obtain a L or B permit to work, unless a company has offered you a position and they are able to prove that the job cannot be done by a Swiss or EU candidate. The Canton also has to approve of your working in the area. Once you get the job, you get the permit, then you get the D visa. It is quite confusing, however this site has a lot of information on it.

Good Luck.

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Living the Dream

No. I am well known for being cynical, grumpy, and argumentative. Did you find the search facility yet?

My husband is working at CERN and the relocation assistant sent us the invitation letter stating that since we didn't know where we were going to live, we should apply for both visas. The letter has been sent to the French consulate in Chicago and the Swiss consulate (and a copy FedEx to us). On the information letter it says that it takes 3-4 weeks to get our visas, on the website it says 5-6 weeks (although this morning I can't remember if that was the Swiss or French website). I was just curious how long it actually took for people to receive their visas.

I am aware of the search function, I just didn't find what I was looking for.

This thread will probably help you. VISA's vs Permits for work at CERN

Also, for terminolgy, if you are a CERN employee and live in CH, you will likely receive a carte de legitimation "D". Search also for carte de legitimation D and you will likely find more.

I've been through this process as a non EU last year and they were talking about 6-12 weeks but I've got the visa in 2 weeks time, whereas one of my friends had to wait for almost 10 weeks; so I have to say it really depends on the person / family, so don't bother; just apply asap and start waiting. One more comment: The spouse's visa comes 1 week-10 days later than the real applicant (real applicant is the person who got the job offer in Switzerland), so don't panic if your visa does not arrive with your husbands