I'm American. I've already received my D visa through family reunification (EU spouse will begin a job in Vaud).

I've seen some threads about FBI records for a B permit, but most of these threads are pretty old.

Can anyone chime in? Is there any official documentation I can read?

(I did inquire with the Foreign Division office in Vaud. I was told I wouldn't need a background check, but I'd feel more comfortable if I could find a legal resource.)

Thanks.

The D is only valid 1 time to enter CH, right?

Don't know any law about background checks, but that kind of checks are usually made before for the D visa. Since you already have it, no further checks.

Hi, I was asked by the Geneva cantonal authorities to send them a copy of my police/criminal record as part of my application for a work/residence permit. It took me a week to obtain a copy. My application is still pending...

I applied for my B permit when I arrived here 3 weeks ago.

I had to complete a form that asked questions such as:
* have you been convicted of a crime?
* are you currently under criminal investigation?

It was just a case of ticking 'no' and signing at the bottom to declare it was the truth.

Kinda reminded me of those forms that some countries make you fill in when you land from an international flight: "are you a terrorist? do you have plans to overthrow the government?"

I wonder if this is driven by nationality.

When I moved to Geneva in 2011 (back when the UK was still in the EU), I only had to declare that I wasn't a criminal, or had prosecutions pending. And, for the C permit in 2016, I ticked a box, signed and returned a prefilled form.

By contrast, my Turkish colleague was required to submit a criminal record extract, copies of qualifications certificates, evidence of prior salary etc.

I’m British. Brexit changes things. I worked in Geneva back in 2019. Never had that issue when my company applied for a L permit on my behalf back in 2019. My company said it’s to do with Brexit. British citizens have to submit educational certificates, a police record, letters of attestation from employers and a current CV, just like non-EU citizens. Not complaining here but had to accept the current reality.

Can’t edit my post! But to give you some context: I worked in Geneva on a short-term attachment back in 2019. Moved back to London in December 2019. Found a new job a few months ago but had to go through that process. Hope to move back to Geneva later this summer if my work permit application is approved.

Usually, 3rd country nationals have to apply for a D type visa. For example OP comes from the USA and these are the rules: https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/u...onal-visa.html

An entry visa to stay more than 90 days is required. Only after arriving to Switzerland the work permit authorization process starts.

So, the background checks are requested when applying for the entry visa. Even in the case of 3rd country nationals, it's a bit random thing. When I asked the visa, I was not requested the crime background check. In contrast, when my wife applied for the family reunion permit...the background check was asked.

This was my experience from earlier this year:

Approved for work permit by Kanton Zurich and D Visa back in February. Documentation on the approval indicated that the FBI report would be required on registration.

Getting the FBI document was actually fairly painless, other than the 30 minute drive each way to a post office that had fingerprinting capabilities.

Upon arrival in Zurich, I went to register and was not asked for the FBI documentation. I pointed out the note on the approval form to the person at the counter and she took a copy of the document and put it in my file.

This was in late April and I have not heard anything since.

So unfortunately, I don't really have an answer to whether it was really required. I have no idea if someone would have eventually chased me down to request it if I hadn't offered it up voluntarily.

One thing that is for certain is that it will be way way way easier to get this document while you are still in the US than it is to get it from Switzerland. So if you can get it done relatively painlessly I definitely suggest it.

Turkish and ex-Jugoslavian even citizens (but holding dual passports) are somewhat different case , example be they are not allowed to obtain permit for firearms as there is still ongoing clashes between Turks/Kurds and Ex-Yugoslawian nations even generations later in CH.

what never stops me wondering is why on earth people that emigrated from war far and long away to CH still poison life of their children with what happened before many were born 1000km away - rather than give them great start and never mention reasons to hate another human being

I have a friend who recently moved to ZH also from the US. She provided a police background document from her state, and was told it was not acceptable and now has to deal with getting the FBI one done to complete the registration process. So I think you would have been chased down if you hadn't provided it.


As you rightly point out, it's much easier to get this done while in the US vs. the limited options in CH. Too bad it wasn't made more clear for her in advance.


luch