Thanks for your information. Mine workplace is in Basel. My application was submitted about 4 weeks ago.

Just a couple of quick questions:

The HR told me there are in total three steps for Work Permit. I have passed first and second, with the second being the most critical. The HR basically meany the remaining third step is like a formality. Do you know what the third step is? Or in total what are these three steps? Any clue?

The HR is pretty confident I can start in November........

I think they throw a dice.

Does it matter? You have no control over the outcome. Until you've got certainty, pretend it hasn't happened.

Hi Kamiyu, did you finally get your permit? Anyone waiting for Zurich Canton? Knowing current timelines might help me.

Sigh.... Not yet. But I am in Basel Canton.

I have done a lot of research that I think my application is currently being dealt with the Basel Immigration Office. I have obtained cantonal and federal approval, which my understanding is that my Work Permit is basically approved.

the final step that I am waiting for is official issuance of the Work Permit.

Someone in this forum waited for three weeks for this final step.

Hi guys,

I have been waiting for the "last step" for about three weeks. The "last step" is supposed to be the formal issuance of the Work Permit by the Basel Immigration Office.

Does it take this long??

Any information from you guys?

PS: I am sorry, I seem to start worrying again......

At least you know the status, mine got submitted on 1st Aug and I have no clue about the status. Can't help you with the timelines but let's see what happens and when. This has been the ultimate test of my patience

I get it. I do. I understand that you would like to know - ideally today, or better still yesterday - and that you feel stressed because you haven't heard back yet.

Everyone here keeps answering these questions with: "It takes as long as it takes." And if I were in your shoes, that would drive me half crazy, so I feel sorry for you. Uncertainty is a terrible drain on one's energy.

It is the truth, though. No-one here on this Forum can give you any other answer. We don't know. We cannot know. There is, however, a lot of experience here, from applying for permits (and extensions of permits) of all kinds, that one just has to send in the documents and then.... wait.

So zero contact from your HR too?

My HR is pretty nice that they keep telling me which stage I am in (but only after I emailed them....hahaha!)

No my HR says its a waiting game so be patient. We have a different team who looks at permits so even HR does not have first hand information. I work for the same company so an internal transfer.

Some say the whole non-EU Work Permit (note: non-EU) processing time is something 8-12 weeks. True?

Can be, can be longer

8-12 weeks is reasonable.

Also get used to this EVERY YEAR.

There is more reason to make sure HR did it right than to worry how long it takes. ie. they might forget to renew for you until your kindly remind them 3 months ahead.

Thanks for your advice. This is my first time Work Permit, not renewal.

I am excited to announce that I have just received final Work Permit approval, notified by my HR.

Thanks for your kind help/advice all along the way.

PS: My application started at the beginning of August, i.e. the whole process lasted for ~ 6 weeks.

Vow congratulations! I am still waiting and have no clue on the status. This was rather fast for you. Is it a B or L permit?

Is Zurich Canton slower than Basel. Any experience people?

I have no idea if it is L or B.

Yes, I think I am just lucky.

Hope you can get your Permit soon too.

You’ll find out when you register at the migration office and/or when they send the permit to you. Now just mark on your calendar 3 months before the expiry to ask your HR to start the renewal!

It not only depends on how fast the canton works but there are definitely differences between nationals of certain countries...

I am Indian, so Asian as well, which leaves Canton differences as the reason. Already in the 7th week so getting impatient.

Asia is quite a big place. Japanese for instance don’t need to have a Visa to look for a job like A EU citizen.

Kamiyu I believe is a holder of a HK passport. It is a difference.