Hi everyone,

I'm planning on doing some travel in the next two months, which will require me to leave the country while my resident permit is being processed for yearly renewal. Having been through the procedure last year, as I recall, my permit was under review for almost 3 months before I got it back (the new card) in July, so I'm aware I need to get a reentry permit.

My understanding of the procedure is as follows:

1. I visit the Kreisburo with my current (unexpired) resident permit (expires in mid-May) and my supporting documents (like my university enrollment and passport). I have not yet received the reminder, so I want to know if I can preemptively do this before the reminder is mailed. The website says you can start the renewal process up to 3 (?) months before expiration.

2. I visit Migrationsamt to get a temporary entry/exit visa (which I believe costs 45 francs?) Does anyone know how long getting the temporary visa will take?

Please let me know if there are any other hurdles I need to clear to make this happen in a timely fashion. Thanks!

Number 2. It is immediately issued at the building and has a cost (around 30 to 50CHFs if I recall).


Of course this is the Zurich Migrationsamt.


What type of passport do you have?

I had the same issue multiple times. All I did was make a black and white copy of the B permit and wrote "Kopie" on it and this has never been a problem for me at passport control going out of or into Switzerland. When I give the copy to them with my passport, I say that my B permit is in-process of being renewed and they say okay and move on.

Have you checked how long you can be away from Switzerland before the 'B' permit is revoked?

tigereyeali, I have a U.S. passport.

SBrinz, I'm not sure on the "B" permit requirements. The first year of my PhD, I received an "L" permit, and the second year with no explanation, I received a "B" permit. Honestly having an "L" permit didn't affect me in any way, and the "B" permit had the exact same amount of time before renewal, i.e. 1 year (though really 10 months by the time I finally got it back).

The permit can be renewed upto 3 months before it expires as long as you have the required paperwork. My husband has done this.

As for a temporary visa - they give it to you on the same day and it cost me CHF 90.

Yep-- 90 chf, same day application is what I got.

I am not sure if it depends on what Kanton you are renewing you visa with but we were told that you can renew your visa up to 3 months Prior to the expiration date. We also got a re-entry visa through a third-Party Provider but the re-entry visa only took us one Business day because we went to the Office and had all required documents with us. If I recall you just Need to Setup an appointment with them before, there is a form to fill out for re-entry visas, a small photo to give them for the re-entry visa records, and to bring your passports. They are normally really helpful at our Kanton with answering any questions, so you can always just stop by and ask too. Might be easier in Person if your German/French is limited.

Why would one need any re-entry visa if you're on the US passport? You can enter Schengen for up to 90 consecutive days even if not resident in Switzerland so when you come back from the trip your new permit will already be waiting in the mail and you won't even 'use' any of the 'tourist' days as you'll be a Schengen resident again.

Because you're registered and they know you're living here, so you're not a tourist. When you arrive at border control, they know to ask for it.

Not so sure it's strictly enforced - I've entered both via Zurich and via Geneva several times without the permit which was either being renewed at the time or taken for the change of canton - no questions asked so either they see it in on their screen when the passport is scanned or they just don't care.

They always ask for my permit.