Hello guys~
I am from Taiwan. Last year I met my boyfriend who is from Bern in Vietnam while traveling. Now we are sick of long distance relationship, so we are trying to find a way to let me stay more than 3 months in Switzerland. He went to the immigration center in Bern, the staff there told him that we can apply concubinage visa. So I called the Swiss industry in Taiwan, the staff told me that it is almost impossible to get the concubinage visa as a Taiwanese...
I already searched the article in this forum and internet, but i would like to know if there's anyone who is successfully got this visa for you or your partner? Or is anyone know in what kind of condition they will approve? My boyfriend is a doctor, is this helped? Or the concubinage visa is basically just for the people from EU?
So frustrated now...hope someone can help me out with all the question. Thanks

Just noticed I make some spelling mistake...hope you guys don't mind ...

Regardless of what the staff say, you can still apply. The authorities will want to verify the relationship is legit, and that involves some paperwork. It may be a good idea for your boyfriend to ask the authorities in Bern exactly what documentation is needed, so you can start working on it together.

Hi 3Wishes, thanks for replying my post. Yes, he already asked the authorities in Bern, and he also got a list about what kind of paper he needs. The authorities in Bern also told that I have to apply from Taiwan as well. That's why i called the Swiss industry in Taiwan and found out how difficult it might be... We are just thinking if it's so hard to success, should we still try or should we think about student visa or something...(actually not too many choice for us...)
I am curious about you mentioned that they will want to verify if the relationship is legit or not. But how? I mean we are really together cause we like each other, but how to prove that? The fb message? Or the fact that he already came to Taiwan two times? There's another thing that also concerns me, cause we are just together for about a year, will this be a disadvantage for us? Really wanna know how they will decide...
Thanks for your reply again.

First just so you're clear it's not the Swiss industry - it's the Swiss Embassy. This might be important if you're trying to convince the authorities you've been talking to the right office.

In terms of verification of what's legit, I can only tell you what I've read on here from our members, and a few stories from friends.

People have been asked (in separate interviews) how they met, details about personal habits, receipts from travel, photos together, and so on. There seems to be extra scrutiny if there's a big age difference. I'm not saying this is your case, maybe you're the same age as your Swiss boyfriend.

Maybe he can ask the Bern authorities why it is so difficult for a Taiwanese citizen to get a concubine permit?

Hey 3Wishes, thanks for replying again.
Well in Taiwan we don't have Swiss embassy, cause Switzerland and Taiwan is not allies (because of China I guess)...we only have trade office of Swiss industry, that's why I use that. But still thank you for remind me that~
My boyfriend is just 2 years older than me, we are both around 30. And the examples you mentioned I believe we can pass. We know each other, we have a lot of pictures together, we traveled together, lived in Taiwan together for 2 months. So the reality of our relationship shouldn't be the problem.
I have no ideal why the staff from trade office of Swiss industry in Taiwan told us that is very difficult...hope we can be the positive case.
Thanks for your information, it really helps. I will talk to my boyfriend tomorrow, I think we will still try to apply anyway and see how things develop. If anyone has any suggestion or experience, please do share to us. We would appreciate it.
Thanks.

As well as evidence of your relationship, the other point is that it is a long term, committed one, eventually leading to marriage. Whether just a year is long enough only the Swiss authorities can decide. Each case is different so no one can tell you definitely yes or no. He will also have to agree to be financially responsible for you for 5 years.

Definitely apply. Sometimes even the embassies/consulates aren't always right in what they believe. Worse case is that the application will be refused, but you won't know one way or another until you try.

Hey Medea, thanks for your advice. Ya, I think we will try, like you said, you won't know one way or another until you try!
I will come back and post a thread if we really get the visa, and tell everybody what kind of situation we faced~~

Yes, please do. Every situation is different, every canton is different in how they deal with these so any and all info adds to the wealth of advice we already have here on the forum. If people don't let us know how they get on then that info can become outdated.

Good luck!

Hi - Just wondering how you went with this visa? Did it work?