 | | 
09.10.2015, 01:23
| Newbie | | Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Geneva
Posts: 6
Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
| | Swiss spouse B permit renewal
Hi everyone.
I maybe a bit ahead of time, but my current B permit as a swiss spouse will expire early next year and I will have to renew it, as it requires renewal every year until the 5th year.
Can anyone here with the experience advise what documents should I prepare? I will be traveling to my home country soon (non EU), so I would like to be prepared if I need to bring back any documents from motherland
Oh. also one more question. I started working in VD this year (while my permit was granted in GE). Should I explain that to OCP when I renew the permit?
Thanks for any help.
| 
12.10.2015, 20:50
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Switzerland
Posts: 23,621
Groaned at 467 Times in 363 Posts
Thanked 18,941 Times in 10,454 Posts
| | Re: Swiss spouse B permit renewal
Where you work doesn't matter as far as your permit is concerned. You're taxed where you live so that's what's important - and that's still Geneva. They may want to know for their records, but that's all.
As for what documentation you need have a look on this PDF on page 2 http://www.ge.ch/etrangers-confedere...ation-visa.pdf | 
12.10.2015, 21:29
| Newbie | | Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Geneva
Posts: 6
Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
| | Re: Swiss spouse B permit renewal
Hi. Thanks for the reply. I appreciate that.
I think the link you have attached is for the prolongation of "Visa". Sorry if my original posting wasn't clear but I'm looking for the info on the permit. As far as I know, visa and permit have different natures and legal power here. (visa is to enter the country and the permit is to stay in Switzerland.)
| 
12.10.2015, 21:41
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Switzerland
Posts: 23,621
Groaned at 467 Times in 363 Posts
Thanked 18,941 Times in 10,454 Posts
| | Re: Swiss spouse B permit renewal | Quote: | |  | | | Hi. Thanks for the reply. I appreciate that.
I think the link you have attached is for the prolongation of "Visa". Sorry if my original posting wasn't clear but I'm looking for the info on the permit. As far as I know, visa and permit have different natures and legal power here. (visa is to enter the country and the permit is to stay in Switzerland.) | | | | | The words tend to be interchangeable, but looking further I think this is the one you need. http://www.ge.ch/etrangers-confedere...ire-non-ue.pdf
or possibly this one http://www.ge.ch/etrangers-confedere...mulaire-ue.pdf
Not sure which version - if they're different - would be used for someone married to a Swiss national.
| 
12.10.2015, 21:50
|  | Moderately Amused | | Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Bern area
Posts: 11,798
Groaned at 98 Times in 92 Posts
Thanked 20,859 Times in 9,188 Posts
| | Re: Swiss spouse B permit renewal
This isn't for your canton but I think the procedure is at least a little similar.
For my annual spousal B permits, I didn't need any additional documentation from home. I received the renewal paperwork a few months before the permit was due to expire and had to sign again that we're still married, no plans to divorce, etc. I was not working, and my OH continued working for the same company the whole time. So he didn't need to provide a new payslip or contract.
If you're now working as well, then you'll add that info to the section of the form that talks about working (at least my form had a section for employment).
I received a letter telling me when my new permit was ready and had to go to the office to exchange the old one and pay the fee for the new. I think some cantons just mail the new permit with a bill though. Hope this helps reassure you it shouldn't be too much of a process! | 
12.10.2015, 21:54
| Newbie | | Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Geneva
Posts: 6
Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
| |
Hi. thanks for the quick response! I think the first link (form M) is what I was looking for, as I am non-EU (hors UE/AELE). I will take a look into the info listed in this doc. Thanks again! | Quote: | |  | | | This isn't for your canton but I think the procedure is at least a little similar. 
For my annual spousal B permits, I didn't need any additional documentation from home. I received the renewal paperwork a few months before the permit was due to expire and had to sign again that we're still married, no plans to divorce, etc. I was not working, and my OH continued working for the same company the whole time. So he didn't need to provide a new payslip or contract.
If you're now working as well, then you'll add that info to the section of the form that talks about working (at least my form had a section for employment).
I received a letter telling me when my new permit was ready and had to go to the office to exchange the old one and pay the fee for the new. I think some cantons just mail the new permit with a bill though. Hope this helps reassure you it shouldn't be too much of a process!  | | | | |
Thanks for sharing your personal experience. That definitely helps.
Last edited by 3Wishes; 14.10.2015 at 19:04.
Reason: merging consecutive replies
| 
07.02.2021, 08:59
| Junior Member | | Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: ZH
Posts: 60
Groaned at 6 Times in 3 Posts
Thanked 41 Times in 25 Posts
| | Re: Swiss spouse B permit renewal | Quote: | |  | | | This isn't for your canton but I think the procedure is at least a little similar. 
For my annual spousal B permits, I didn't need any additional documentation from home. I received the renewal paperwork a few months before the permit was due to expire and had to sign again that we're still married, no plans to divorce, etc. I was not working, and my OH continued working for the same company the whole time. So he didn't need to provide a new payslip or contract.
If you're now working as well, then you'll add that info to the section of the form that talks about working (at least my form had a section for employment).
I received a letter telling me when my new permit was ready and had to go to the office to exchange the old one and pay the fee for the new. I think some cantons just mail the new permit with a bill though. Hope this helps reassure you it shouldn't be too much of a process!  | | | | | 3Wishes, did you also have to present your passport? On your spouse B permit, how many days minimum do you need to spend in Switzerland every year to qualify for renewal (if there is such a rule?)
Thank you
| 
07.02.2021, 09:04
|  | Moderately Dutch | | Join Date: May 2011 Location: Zurich
Posts: 13,084
Groaned at 415 Times in 353 Posts
Thanked 17,671 Times in 8,070 Posts
| | Re: Swiss spouse B permit renewal | Quote: | |  | | | 3Wishes, did you also have to present your passport? On your spouse B permit, how many days minimum do you need to spend in Switzerland every year to qualify for renewal (if there is such a rule?)
Thank you | | | | | Normally you need to make sure the Gemeinde always has a copy of your current passport. And yes, there are rules on how much time you need to spend in CH. https://www.aufenthaltsbewilligung-a...-bewilligungen | The following 2 users would like to thank roegner for this useful post: | | 
07.02.2021, 09:07
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Switzerland
Posts: 23,621
Groaned at 467 Times in 363 Posts
Thanked 18,941 Times in 10,454 Posts
| | Re: Swiss spouse B permit renewal | Quote: | |  | | | 3Wishes, did you also have to present your passport? On your spouse B permit, how many days minimum do you need to spend in Switzerland every year to qualify for renewal (if there is such a rule?)
Thank you | | | | | Pretty much all year I'd guess since one of the requirements to get the permit is that the whole family live together. You being out of the country most of the time doesn't meet that requirement.
Obviously if you travel a lot for business so are constantly coming and going but your centre of life is here that's different, but if you think to get a Swiss permit then spend the majority of your time in another country, only coming back here for say a couple of months in total, then no, the permit would become invalid since you aren't meeting one of it's requirements.
| 
07.02.2021, 09:18
| Junior Member | | Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: ZH
Posts: 60
Groaned at 6 Times in 3 Posts
Thanked 41 Times in 25 Posts
| | Re: Swiss spouse B permit renewal | Quote: | |  | | | Pretty much all year I'd guess since one of the requirements to get the permit is that the whole family live together. You being out of the country most of the time doesn't meet that requirement.
Obviously if you travel a lot for business so are constantly coming and going but your centre of life is here that's different, but if you think to get a Swiss permit then spend the majority of your time in another country, only coming back here for say a couple of months in total, then no, the permit would become invalid since you aren't meeting one of it's requirements. | | | | | Thank you!
For my situation, it would be my work as a limiting factor (as a non-German speaker, I would have much better job prospects in the UK. I would consider working part-time in the UK and spending the remainder of my time in Switzerland, rather than live in Switzerland full time and possibly being completely unemployed)
Is there any particular official document that we could refer to that mentions anything about this? (Zurich)
| 
07.02.2021, 09:32
|  | Moderately Dutch | | Join Date: May 2011 Location: Zurich
Posts: 13,084
Groaned at 415 Times in 353 Posts
Thanked 17,671 Times in 8,070 Posts
| | Re: Swiss spouse B permit renewal | Quote: | |  | | | Thank you!
For my situation, it would be my work as a limiting factor (as a non-German speaker, I would have much better job prospects in the UK. I would consider working part-time in the UK and spending the remainder of my time in Switzerland, rather than live in Switzerland full time and possibly being completely unemployed)
Is there any particular official document that we could refer to that mentions anything about this? (Zurich) | | | | | That simply is not what a reunification permit is for. Check the link and translate it in deepl.
| This user would like to thank roegner for this useful post: | | 
07.02.2021, 09:36
| Forum Legend | | Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: ZH
Posts: 9,385
Groaned at 121 Times in 98 Posts
Thanked 14,471 Times in 5,900 Posts
| | Re: Swiss spouse B permit renewal | Quote: | |  | | | Thank you!
For my situation, it would be my work as a limiting factor (as a non-German speaker, I would have much better job prospects in the UK. I would consider working part-time in the UK and spending the remainder of my time in Switzerland, rather than live in Switzerland full time and possibly being completely unemployed)
Is there any particular official document that we could refer to that mentions anything about this? (Zurich) | | | | | Here, from the Swiss perspective, the relevant question is about the "centre point" or "middle point" of your life. A permit will be cancelled if it is deemed that your life's main focus is not here in Switzerland.
For some explanation on this, please see this related thread which, in turn, links to other threads about this concept of "middle point". https://www.englishforum.ch/permits-...itzerland.html | This user would like to thank doropfiz for this useful post: | | 
07.02.2021, 09:48
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kt. Bern
Posts: 6,096
Groaned at 390 Times in 284 Posts
Thanked 10,038 Times in 4,384 Posts
| | Re: Swiss spouse B permit renewal | Quote: | |  | | | That simply is not what a reunification permit is for. Check the link and translate it in deepl. | | | | | Not alone that, but as a citizen of a third country the sanctions imposed for a failure to comply with the rules can impact ones ability to access the Schengen Area.
| 
07.02.2021, 10:08
| Junior Member | | Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: ZH
Posts: 60
Groaned at 6 Times in 3 Posts
Thanked 41 Times in 25 Posts
| | Re: Swiss spouse B permit renewal | Quote: | |  | | | Somewhat expanded from the link roegner posted:
A permit expires by the following actions of yours, or of the Swiss government: - if you deregister, to move abroad
- if a permit is issued in another canton
- when the permit's validity expires
- if you are expelled from Switzerland.
In addition to those reasons, your permit will automatically expire if you leave Switzerland without deregistering, as follows: - If you have a short-term residence permit (B or anything less than B):
as soon as you spend three months outside of Switzerland.
- If you have a residence and settlement permit (C):
as soon as you spend six months outside of Switzerland.
If you intend to spend longer than 6 months outside of Switzerland, you can apply for an exception to be made, and to have your settlement permit (C) maintained for a maximum of four years. To obtain this exception, you must apply for this permission before you leave Switzerland. It is granted only for special purposes, for example if you are leaving Switzerland because your company is sending you to work abroad, or if you are going away to studay. If your application is successful, your permit is then frozen for as long as that specific purpose lases and will recommence once you return to Switzerland.
| | | | |
The purpose of me moving to Zurich is so that my partner, whose job is based there, and I can reunite. Even if I work in the UK, it would be for one week per month, and I would consider the centre of my life to be Switzerland because it would be where I would spend the most time; in addition, I have no family in the UK whilst my partner and his side of the family are all in Switzerland. Going to the UK a week per month would just be a means of not being unemployed, whilst being able to live with my partner and improve my grasp of German in the meantime in order to find a Swiss based job in the hopefully near future.
Thanks for the link, I've had a look.
I suppose this part would apply to my situation:
"If you leave Switzerland without deregistering, the following expires:
- a short-term residence permit after three months,"
Would anyone please be able to tell me if this after three continuous months, or three months in total per year?
Cheers
| 
07.02.2021, 10:51
|  | Moderately Dutch | | Join Date: May 2011 Location: Zurich
Posts: 13,084
Groaned at 415 Times in 353 Posts
Thanked 17,671 Times in 8,070 Posts
| | Re: Swiss spouse B permit renewal
What is legally possible is one thing. As MF said, a family reunification permit is to be together in Switzerland.
Nasty neighbours might notice that you are always gone for a week or more every month and your tax office will notice that you have income from work abroad. So make sure that you are very sure you are ok to do this.
| This user would like to thank roegner for this useful post: | | 
07.02.2021, 14:54
|  | Moderately Amused | | Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Bern area
Posts: 11,798
Groaned at 98 Times in 92 Posts
Thanked 20,859 Times in 9,188 Posts
| | Re: Swiss spouse B permit renewal
Yes, I had to submit a copy of my passport every year. My spouse and I also had to sign a paper every year that we were still married, still living together, and had no plans to separate or divorce.
I encourage you to reconsider the idea of "living" in Switzerland and working in the UK as you have mentioned. Or at least don't use that as your default position. Keep it as a last-resort back up plan.
One of the best ways to learn the language is to actually be here and live daily life. Go out and use your German and learn from the mistakes you make. Take an intensive course. If you're only here for visits, you will have a much harder time with the language, with integration, and with finding a job. It is not impossible for English-only speakers to find jobs. Employers wouldn't need to do any special hiring procedures since you're the spouse of a Swiss citizen, so that gives you a leg up on other non-EUs that might want to move here.
I'm not sure how the UK rules would work if you move your residency to Switzerland. Don't you need a visa to live and work in the UK even though you're a Commonwealth citizen? How do you square the circle of having a visa stamped in your passport for living/working in the UK while claiming to live here with your spouse?
As Roegner says, there are also tax issues to consider.
Weigh your options carefully. What is your work background that makes you so sure you can't find a job here?
| 
07.02.2021, 15:20
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Switzerland
Posts: 23,621
Groaned at 467 Times in 363 Posts
Thanked 18,941 Times in 10,454 Posts
| | Re: Swiss spouse B permit renewal
If you feel it's language that would hold you back from finding a job then consider not working at all for a while and doing an intensive German course. That plus being around German speakers all day, every day should help you learn enough quickly to be able to job hunt here.
| This user would like to thank Medea Fleecestealer for this useful post: | | 
07.02.2021, 20:34
| Junior Member | | Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: ZH
Posts: 60
Groaned at 6 Times in 3 Posts
Thanked 41 Times in 25 Posts
| | Re: Swiss spouse B permit renewal | Quote: | |  | | | Yes, I had to submit a copy of my passport every year. My spouse and I also had to sign a paper every year that we were still married, still living together, and had no plans to separate or divorce.
I encourage you to reconsider the idea of "living" in Switzerland and working in the UK as you have mentioned. Or at least don't use that as your default position. Keep it as a last-resort back up plan.
One of the best ways to learn the language is to actually be here and live daily life. Go out and use your German and learn from the mistakes you make. Take an intensive course. If you're only here for visits, you will have a much harder time with the language, with integration, and with finding a job. It is not impossible for English-only speakers to find jobs. Employers wouldn't need to do any special hiring procedures since you're the spouse of a Swiss citizen, so that gives you a leg up on other non-EUs that might want to move here. 
I'm not sure how the UK rules would work if you move your residency to Switzerland. Don't you need a visa to live and work in the UK even though you're a Commonwealth citizen? How do you square the circle of having a visa stamped in your passport for living/working in the UK while claiming to live here with your spouse?
As Roegner says, there are also tax issues to consider.
Weigh your options carefully. What is your work background that makes you so sure you can't find a job here? | | | | | Cheers all. If I were to remain working in the UK, it would be as the spouse of someone with Settled Status in the UK since he has that status on the basis of having lived in the Uk until he moved back to Switzerland a few months ago. I am a fully qualified intensive care physician so would have extra hoops in the form of having to pass the German exams to a higher standard (C1 or C2 I believe), in addition to medical licensing which usually takes a while... and on top of that to practice in my specialty in Switzerland I would probably have to re-train! By then, he will probably have to move again for his work to another part of Europe (which could be in the EU or back in the UK)! All in all... a massive headache and logistical/planning nightmare
And yes, I have read the medical specialty thread by Drremobond007 - very very insightful and generous for him to have mapped this out in so much detail for the benefit of others!
| 
07.02.2021, 20:54
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Wallis
Posts: 7,459
Groaned at 170 Times in 104 Posts
Thanked 8,749 Times in 3,914 Posts
| | Re: Swiss spouse B permit renewal
Switzerland can’t stop you working abroad... and if it’s one week a month it’s clear you’re “living” in Switzerland. You’d need to make sure the NHS pay you without deductions and you pay all that in Switzerland though.
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Thread Tools | | Display Modes | Linear Mode |
Posting Rules
| You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | All times are GMT +2. The time now is 05:09. | |