Ok, so I have been in Switzerland for almost 2 months now. I don't need a visa to be here (I hold a South African passport), but have read on the Swiss Immigration website, that I am only able to stay here for 3 months, and then I have to leave for 1 month, before I can return for another 3 months... and that I cannot exceed 6 months in a year.

Does anyone have any experience with how the "leaving switzerland for 1 month" thing works? Is it necessary? I don't want to get in trouble as its really important that I am here for the next period of 3 months...

Thanks

Hi Pinkie,

If you search these forums, you'll find this has been covered before - and you you do have to leave. They wouldn't say it if they didn't mean it...

Hey :-)

I thought South Africans were allowed to stay for 6 months? My Mum just stayed for 4 without a problem...

Ab Fab is right, three months, then one month break, then three months to max out your total of six months per year. And believe me, if you don't leave, they will deport you. (Trust me on that one... they are super great at finding people here!)

Its a law and can be legaly applied but I know of people that have "overstayed" and have not been deported. Ofcourse you do so at your own risk and if you do get deported it will most likely be stamped in your passport and make visiting any other countries much more difficult.

It somewhat depends on what you are doing here.
Are you just a tourist or are you here for some other purpose?

I was kinda in the same boat a couple years ago when I first came to Switzerland. I found that I was able to apply for and recieve a "L-permit" for studying German at a language school (needs to be intensive, so many hours a week..sorry, can't remember the exact amount). They should give you a permit for the length of the course, not longer. I did that to buy a little more time here as I was looking for work.

Not sure what your situation is here, but if you have come over and are planning on staying, it could be an option....but be prepared to pay ALOT for these courses...they don't come cheap!

Hi there
Just read your mail with interest as I'm also South African and know all about this...yes you can stay only for 3 months as a visitor and then HAVE TO leave for one and can be back for another 3. Am going through the whole thing myself.
regards
Helene

hi! i actually have a question about this. Iam not a EU citizen, but i dont need a visa to enter the EU. this summer im going to be in Norway for 2 months and then i was planing to go to Switzerland for 3months until December, my question is, since im going to be 2 months in Norway, and both countries are in the Shengen zone, and the timing is only about a month apart, can i still go to Switzerland for 3 months? or do i have to wait 90 days to go? thanks lots of anyone can help me clarify this!