Hello,

I am an UK citizen coming to Geneva for a short term contract of approximately 4 months. I have been told that I will be under an L-permit. The hope is to turn this into a full-time position with a B-permit but this is not guaranteed right now.

My spouse, a non-EU citizen, will be coming with me. I have a few questions about the permitting process that I have not been able to get exact answers to on the threads and searching (most answers are about B-permits or spouses of non-EU L-permit holders):

1. Will my spouse be able to apply for a permit and work? What permit would it be? What documents and registration will be required?

2. If so, how long would her permit be valid for?

3. If I subsequently don't renew the contract and go onto a L-permit for jobseekers, could she then also continue an L-permit through me and work?

4. If she gets a full-time job offer before me, would her employer be able to get her an B-permit easily as spouse of EU citizen, or would she have to be employed through the more onerous process of non-EU citizens?

Thanks so much for the help.

Spouses of EU citizens get the same permit as their partners.

4 months.

No, you must be the leading permit holder. If you are a job seeker then she would probably still get an L permit but without the right to work.

The employer would have to treat her as non-EU.

Thanks for the information and simple answers, it finally clears up the uncertainty! I look forward to being a member of these boards as the months progress.

As a follow up, what will be the procedure for her to get her L-permit after I have mine?

When you arrive, you must both register together at the local town hall. They will give you the paperwork and charge you the relevant fee - you will get a 'paper' permit and she will get a card permit - she will probably be sent somewhere to have her photo, fingerprints and signature recorded, and the card I arrives within about 8 weeks.

Make sure you have your marriage certificate, passports, work contract and lease for your apartment with you when you head to the local town hall - and you are required to register within 8 days of arrival.

Have fun!