Hi all, I get the letter to inform me that my entry visa is ready to collect in the general consulate. It identifies that

Duree du sejour: 12 mois ( 36 mois maximum)
Duration of stay: 12 months ( 36 months at most)

Duree de validite du visa. Autorisation valable jusqu'au: 28.02.2011
Validate entry Visa until: 28.02.2011

So giving the 3 months validation, no wonder my consulate tells me my entry date is no earlier than 1st, Dec.

I then wrote them an Email to say that since everything was planned on my starting working in Switzerland in Oct 1st, 2010. I would really appreciate they adjust the entry date.

Then the consulate called me today saying sorry only the authorisation in Switzerland who proved my Visa is allowed to make such adjustment.

So I then informed my HR in Switzerland to contact her resource and see if it can be modified.

Strange thing is that from the introduction letter and my work contract, it is clearly written that - starting date-- 1st, Oct, 2010.

I hope it is simply a mistake that can be corrected. I mean they have approved my work permit, then why to delay my leagal entry date?

What do you guys think?

Also, by the time I received my residence permit should I be informed it is an L or B right? Even it writes ' 12 months, with maximum 36 months stay' can I presume that it is a B?

MANY Thanks!

Should be easily correctable - let your HR dept handle it.

You'll most likely get an L for the first 2 years then a B for the final year.

Thanks!

My HR is contacting them.But no news yet. ..I hope it was just a mistake they postponed it by 2 months entry...

My contract is a 3 years one, also in the canton approval plus the note for collecting Visa it is clearly written ' 36 mois'...So i am hoping it a B!

Hi Bob, another question. Can it be renewed after 3 years? B--> B?? Sorry if i asked a stupid question..

No, this is fixed term permit.

Ok. So it means I ( my HR) will have to start the application all over again when the validation is up? Say to apply again the 3 yrs work permit which is linked with the famous QUOTA?

Thanks!

This is a little confusing - are you taking up a new job with a new company or being transferred by your existing employer?

If the former, do you have an open ended contract? If so then this sounds like the wrong type of permit - your employer should sort that out now as it will be harder further down the line.

Hi Bob, thanks again!

My contract is a three years one for now. But my boss says it will be automatically renewed after for another three years if I like.

So I have got the Work Permit already. And I plan to stay in Switzerland for 3 years as a start.

My question is, in Aug 2013 if I decided to renew my contract with my current company. Do I need another work permit? You said my permit would transfer from an L to B in the 3rd year. So can I presume that I will get another B from 2013 --2016?

Thanks!

No, you cannot assume that. Your company has obtained your permit on the basis that the contract is limited. These permits are easier to get than normal ones but are not normally renewable. In cases where they are project related and the project overruns I have known them to be extended for another 6 months maximum.

Yes. My current contract is limited because that's the way we sign with expats...So it is not even possible to apply again with another three years contract?

I am a non EU national. And my HR has been dealing with the cases for EU nationals only ( we are a French company locates in Geneva). So...

Any other advices? Thanks BOB!

If you try to to extend the B permit it will most likely be denied. If you want to apply for a new permit you will need to leave for a period - I think it's a year.

Ok, let us find out three years later. Well, what to wrong. Still plenty of timee

Or by then I have married to a Swiss guy and transfer to a C which will entitled me to take the employment. ( joking)

Crikey, you don't have to be that desperate . A French or British guy would do just as well .

BTW, Bob. I don't think you can apply for a indefinite length Work permit. And honestly, yes, my contract is a 3 years one as a start. So I guess it makes sense. And even if we wrote ' work length- infinite' in my work contract, the authorities would not approve it considering their purpose is to make sure that people like me will leave the country when the contract is due.

Am I correct?

Yes you can. Read the sticky, that's why it's there...

No. If you have an open ended contract then the permit takes the usual path of an L for 2 years followed by a B that is renewable each year (assuming you still have a job) followed by a C permit. The change from L to B can be tricky these days but if working directly for a company and not through a 3rd party the chances are good.

I need to see my work contract. It's all in French.

But in my 1st canton approval it's clearly written ' no more than 36 months'...

Which is not surprising considering your contract is 36 months as opposed to open-ended.

Well, what can I say. We were being honest.

But seriously, you think they will give me the work permit even if my contract writes ' open -ended'?? I am in the bottom of the candidates.