My name is Katherine, I'm from Hong Kong, my english is not very good so please forgive me for any inconvenience caused.

I met my boyfriend(who is a swiss) two years ago, he's now working in switzerland and I'm currently traveling in europe. We decided to get married next year and live together at his apartment in switzerland.

The question is, I researched about visas and permits in switzerland, now I have a brief understanding of how things works, but I'm still having doubts.

From my understanding, if I fly to switzerland (with my hong kong passport I can stay there without a visa, but no working permit, for 90 days.) and get married with him, I will get a RESIDENTS' B PERMIT (Aufenthaltbewilligung im Rahmen des Familiennachzugs) without working permission, no?
Where should I apply for that B Permit and how long does it take to be approved?

And, at the beginning I will be spending my own savings, later on, I will have to find a job, where should I get a work permit then? Am I allowed to do freelances before I have a work permit?

We are very serious about our relationship, if it works, we don't have to suffer from long distance anymore. : )

Welcome to the forum. Your future hubby's Gemeinde ( commune ) will authorise the issue of a residence ( and work ) permit upon registration of the marriage.

That's great! Thanks so much, so do I have to take the initiative to apply for the permits? And do you think the entire process can be done within the 90 days?(my hong kong passport's visa free traveling period) because otherwise I will have to leave europe for 3 months afterwards before re-entering...

I think it depends on how fast things move in your favour.

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I may be wrong, but once you got that B permit, you can start working anywhere in the whole of Europe.
At least, that was my impression.

You need to apply in your country of residence for a D permit. Once the D permit is approved then you can come to Switzerland and apply for the B permit. Once you have the B permit then you can work.

good luck!

Uh, thanks for your info.
The consulate general said I need to do the preparation in hong kong, like u said, the D permit, so that means I have to be away from my darling for months before coming back to switzerland.

Do you know how long does it take to get a B permit approved in switzerland?

No. Sorry. I don't know how long it's taking these days. I think it very much depends on the country you are coming from. I've heard anywhere from 2-3 months to over 10 months. But not sure for HK. And of course that is only on there side. It will take longer if you take a long time to your paperwork together.

good luck & congratulations!!

First of all, take no short cut, it will at the end take longer.

both of you have to request permission to marry, we call this "Ehevorbereitung" you have to do it on the Embassy in HK, your friend in his village or residency. They will give you a list with all requirements and with the procedure.

Once you trough, Switzerland will issue for you a braid-Visa, the D type.
This will give you the right to enter and to stay here for six months. So you can have your wedding and have time to wait here in CH for your B-Permit.

Currently, YOU CAN NOT MARRY HERE ON A TOURIST VISA!
This is currently challenged at the highest court, but not canceled yet.
The whole thing is against Schengen law, maybe time to read some books by our bureaucrats. Meanwhile a no-go.

You can marry him under HK law in HK, but then you will go long line to get your papers legalized here.
You must stay in HK all the time, and count on 10 months plus for the short cut...

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"Every once in a while, declare peace. It confuses the hell out of your enemies"

As long she lives together with her husband in the same apartment.
She can NOT live and work in Geneva and her husband in Zürich.

It's not against Schengen law. The law allows each country to determine the rules for it's own citizens.

uh, thanks for u reminding me, then i guess i better go back to hong kong anyway to do the preparation, thanks again..

i don't really understand this, you mean even I will be holding a B permit I will not be able to work in some cities?

No. He says you have to live with your husband.