I am a non-EU citizen working in Basel, and living in Basel Land. My mother is living in Australia and my elder brother has been taking care of her. However, due to health of my brother, he is no longer able to do so. Is there anyway I could bring my mother going whilst I work here? I am a single mother with one 14year old child, but I think I can still manage to financially support my mother with my salary. It would also be good to have her here to keep an eye on my kid when I travel on short business trips. My mother is on an age pension which she could continue to receive whilst overseas. Appreciate if anyone can give me any advice.

You might find some useful insights on this thread:

Parents without police clearance

Hope you find a solution that works for your family.

Even if you cannot, is it possible that your mother, because of a grandparent born in the British Isles, could qualify for British or Irish citizenship?

Is your child, perhaps, an EU citizen? In that case the European Court of Justice case in Chen & Zhu v. Home Secretary could be of use. But bear in mind that Switzerlands treaty obligations are somewhat less generous than EU rules on extended family, retired persons and, arguably, children's rights as to family reunification.

Dear Andy

Thanks for your advice. My mother is Chinese and naturalised as an Australian citizen. My son was born in Singapore and he obtained his Australian citizenship by descent ( as I am a naturalised Australian citizen).
Helen

In your case it will be almost impossible. I suggest you consider residence in France for your mum. But then most important is a property ownership. Nowadays they are tough on rental contracts, even the retirements accepting it if they are for 3 years or more. But then applications received and visa refused. So if you manage to buy a flat on your mum’s name in Saint-Louise for example then it will work out. You can even stay with her there, just keep a Swiss address (you know what I mean). Also an important point is a pension income proof .It is high, at least 18k euro a year, but each case are treated individually and your existence next door will help in case her pension in AU is less than required.

The basic explained here, if interested some more info can be found.
http://www.ambafrance-au.org/france_...hp?article1099

In your case as single working mother with child – you will not get a swiss permit for her.. I’m confident that it’s impossible. No illusions. But there is some time a back doors as you can see.

It is definitely possible! Just write a letter to Migrationamt and stated your reasons to have your mother here (1st your brother couldn't take care of her in Aust, 2nd she can take care of your son here, 3rd ur mother is healthy enough to take care of herself in Switzerland).
Just file the application to Migarationamt and they'll either turn down your application in first hand (which i don't think they will!!) , or they'll require you further documentation to support your application (proof of relationships, income support, insurance, health status..etc). Back and forth might take a year time to finalize the application with a entry Visa to ur mother.
The fact is, my mother-in-law (70 yrs old) applied by her son (single, with C-permit) in 2008 came to settle in Switzerland Dec 2009. (non-EU, B permit).
So just go ahead if you have ground.. why not!

	Quote:	Lee488
	It is definitely possible! Just write a letter to Migrationamt and stated your reasons to have your mother here!

If you read a discussion in meloncollie post link you will see that points mentioned have nothing to do with application reasons that must be fulfilled.

	Quote:	Lee488
	(1st your brother couldn't take care of her in Aust

That is not a satisfying explanation. What it mean ‘couldn’t take care of her’? They will ask why he can’t do it.

	Quote:	Lee488
	2nd she can take care of your son here,

Kids must be looked after by parents or paid qualified personnel.

	Quote:	Lee488
	3rd ur mother is healthy enough to take care of herself in Switzerland).

The only reason that permit may be granted is that if person can’t take care of herself in home country and someone is capable of doing it in Switzerland. So if that someone is a working single that is also mean it can’t be done. If it’s a family with one working member then it’s supposable that non-working one will take care of fully insured old person.

	Quote:	Lee488
	Just file the application to Migarationamt and they'll either turn down your application in first hand (which i don't think they will!!) , or they'll require you further documentation to support your application (proof of relationships, income support, insurance, health status..etc). Back and forth might take a year time to finalize the application with a entry Visa to ur mother.

Miracles happens sometime ..may be with Migarationamt also. But most probably is will be a waste of time.

Really, I think you should direct your questions to the swiss consulate general in Australia - I am sure it's not the first time this has been done, and they should handle you as 'Australians' not as 'Chinese'.

It does sound a bit tricky to convince them (on the one hand you are saying someone has to 'look after' your mum, and on the other hand, you are hoping your mum can 'look after' your child)...

Also, have you considered the cost - the health system is excruciatingly expensive here - I'd imagine for a 70 year old with no previous cover, it would be a few hundred a month for basic insurance, plus the gap on whatever medications, doctors, checkups she needs...

The other consideration would be her adjustment at that age to living somewhere so foreign...and her loss of friends and connections...

Personally, I'd think you'd do better to make arrangements for her in Australia - the cost of having someone care for her is much cheaper, she will be entitled to a lot more support for less cost...for 300-400chf a month you could set her up with quite a lot of 'home care' and other support for your brother to continue caring for her...rather than have her with you, where you have to supply everything...

The old age pension in Australia is not much - it will be even less when you try to spend it in Switzerland...around 1200 franks, and in the past two weeks the Aussie dollar topped against the CHF and was almost 1:1- but in the past two years it went down to .76 - 200chf a week is pretty grim...