Hi all,

I'm new to the forum and relatively new to Switzerland. I've recently received a B Permit and have a few questions as I've got a few months abroad coming up this summer.

I understand that I can leave Switzerland for up to 6 months without jeopardising my Permit provided I inform my Gemeinde prior to my departure - is this correct? I will be away 4-5 months maximum, so definitely back within the 6 month period. I will largely be traveling for those few months, but also working - though won't be a "resident" anywhere during that time. Will the fact that I am working abroad affect anything back here?

What else will I need to make sure I take care of prior to leaving? I've still got a few months before I go, and I do plan on returning (and have work lined up again for when I get back). I'll be moving house next month but as I'm planning on going abroad a couple of months after that, have only been looking for a short-term lease with view to find something more permanent for when I return. Is this a bad idea?

I'm still relatively new to Switzerland and still trying to get my head around all the regulations and procedures, and this forum has been invaluable so far for me as a browser so thought I'd ask you knowledgable folk first!

Where are you planning on moving to? The problem you may hit is that any move requires you to notify your gemeinde/commune admin office about your new address - and a new permit will be issued with the amended details. So moving and then leaving almost immediately may not be the best thing to do. If there's a couple of months inbetween moving and travelling you should be okay, but some offices seem to take a long while to issue permits. If you've notified them of your new address and still haven't had a new permit issued nearer to your travel time I believe you can get a document from your gemeinde/commune admin office to say your permit is being processed so you have something to show at passport control if you need to.

You don't need to inform the gemeinde/commune of your travel plans. You can be out of the country for up to 6 months. Notification only applies to C permit holders who want to put their permits on hold if they're going to be out of the country for more than 6 months - they need the gemeinde/commune's permission to do this so have to notifiy them. This option isn't open to B permit holders.

Thanks for the speedy response!

I will be moving locally - staying within the same canton but my lease will be up and I'll need to relocate nearby. There will be at least 2 months between my move and me leaving to go abroad, so I hope there'll be time to get a replacement permit sent through.

That's very interesting to hear I won't have to inform the gemeinde about my time abroad - I assumed it was the same as the C permit! It's reassuring that it won't be at risk of being cancelled if I do go away. It is a shame that this all falls so quickly after the permit was granted (well, not really that quick - it'll be a good 4 months since I received the permit before I need to go).

No one has to inform their gemeinde/commune re travel if they're not going to be out of the country for more than 3 months if L permit holder or 6 months if a B or C permit holder.

It's only that C permit holders have the right to ask to put their permits on hold if something like a work assignment abroad for a few years comes up or they're having to do military service or undertaking further education. There are many reasons why the permit can be put on hold, but it's up to the gemeinde/commune to agree to it. If they don't, then it can't be done.

Perfect! Thanks so much for the help!

I think it would be wise to contact your Gemeinde on this.

Depends on who the work's being done for. If their employer back here in Switzerland, no problem. If someone else then a) check that you're even allowed to work if you're not resident in the country and b) check with the gemeinde if it would be a problem for you back here.