So holding a HK passport is better/ more authentic than an Indian one? I really doubt that.

Judging by how my permits get approved vs some of my colleagues (same job, position, salary, time in the country), aside from one time, I've always had my things approved in less time than theirs.



It always seemed to us a bit fishy that the chinese/indian national always took a longer time/ran into more problems than the canadian guy (me).

Precisely my point, I was comparing to HK not Japan or Canada.

Anyways, anyone waiting for Zurich Canton might really help me calm my nerves?

My personal guess is that this may be related to the company which hires you. When I asked my HR about the status of my application, she then asked the authority. Then soon it was approved.

8-12 weeks is common for permit approvals. There is no point fraying your nerves when there's nothing else you can do.

You can ask your HR where your application stage is. Maybe s/he knows.

There are basically three stages. If you manage to get through the second stage, which is approval from federal SEM, then basically you will be alright.

Yes I checked yesterday and since it's the permit team that handles, even HR does not know, so now HR is following up with the permit team. He said it's stuck in Canton in all probability since they receive a communication once any approval comes. So now I don't know whats taking so long at the Canton level itself.

My understanding is that the first Cantonal level assessment is about if the applicant is of significant economic contribution to Switzerland and if the company has demonstrated they have tried their best to hire locals and the EU people.

Hi All, yet another week has gone by and I am still waiting. HR person responsible for submission is on leave so I am left waiting even to know the status.

Has anyone called the Canton office to check on the status for a first time permit for non eu?

I have read enough of this forum to know that it's the employer who submits and checks. But I can't relax until I know the status. So anyone out there who tried? Do the Canton people even entertain such calls?

FYI - 1st August was a national holiday, and odds are nothing happened the day after either. Realistically you should start counting from 5th August. I believe I mentioned above that 8-12 weeks is quite common?

Like kamiyu, you're driving yourself crazy for no reason. Either the permit will be approved or not. You have no control over it. There's no point calling the canton, it takes as long as it takes. Monday will be 7 weeks from 5th August.

It is still pending with Canton and HR called last week and they said it's in process. They haven't asked for any additional documents. Does pending at Canton for so long mean a bad thing? As per kamiyu's timelines, her first stage got cleared within 1 week and mine is pending for 7 weeks+.

As per experienced people, does in process or pending mean they haven't looked at my case or they have looked at it and find something wrong?

I personally guess that the Cantonal authority has not yet reviewed your case. If they find something wrong, it should be downright rejection or ask for more information.

The long timeline for you might be related to the relationship between your company and the Canton. Is your company big and influential for the economy? (This is my pure guess)

By the way, I am a guy.

I assumed by the name, sorry for that.

My company is one of the big banks so that should be no issue.
My profile is very niche, I carry 11+ years of experience joining at a senior role. If all the things meet the requirements, then why is it taking so long?

Don't forget to keep us in the loop about your Permit thing.

Yes I will. But I am beginning to loose hope now. I have mostly read cases of 7-8 weeks for final approval. Mine is still pending at Canton so I don't know. My case is quite clear and company has followed the whole process quite well. Only when they could not find anyone locally for the last few months including job postings at various places did they consider me. So now it's a mystery why it's stuck at Canton.

Is it possible Zurich canton has no permits left now and federal is not giving them anymore permits from their quota?

Hi Guys,

Do people get rejected after 2 months of wait? Does anyone know what the procedure is internally?

Do they have a preliminary screening and then final decision or it's just assigned to 1 person who makes a decision?

You are indirectly telling us there is still no news for your application. I feel sad for you. Yet, I do not know what is going on for this weird thing.

Yes no update yet and now I will have to start thinking of a plan B because such a delay is beyond any comprehension.

I can relate. Plan B is a good idea. Wish you best luck

You need to chill out, 2 months is very little time. You can also call the local office de la population / contrôle des habitants, I suppose it's called Migrationsamt in Basle, and ask them directly.