Permits, Visas, Licenses
covers
• Residence Permit for EU and
non-EU citizens.
•
Shengen Visa for non-EU students, and a
driver's license note.
Residence Permits
At most one month upon arrival in Switzerland you have to apply for Swiss residence permit, but it is suggested to start this procedure as soon as you can. Usually students are given one year long B permit. You should go in the ‘Ufficio degli stranieri’ in Via Balestra 33 (opening hours: 9-11.45am and 2-4pm) in order to apply.
The type of permit you will be given depends on the kind of stay in Switzerland and also on the country you are from. A difference is made between citizens of the European Union and the EFTA and the citizens of all other third party countries.
Permits for EU/EFTA citizens
Two new permits are available for citizens of the EU and the EFTA: the L Permit is a short-term residence authorization valid for maximum one year. This permit replaces the former permit for seasonal workers. This permit allows the employee to bring his family along to live with him in Switzerland.
The B Permit is given to a salaried employee who has a work contract for a year or more. It is valid one year and is automatically renewed annually for a maximum of 5 years.
Authorization for cross-border commuters (G Permit). There are no quotas fixed for this type of permit and to qualify you have to prove that you have lived in the border region for at least 6 months. Cross-border commuters must return home once a week.
PhD students and postgraduates: B Permit valid for a limited period
The European educational programs are not included in the bilateral agreements. However, European students benefit from a simplified procedure for obtaining this permit (see 2.5). The students will have to be insured against illness and accidents. A rejoicing innovation is that their family is allowed to come along to live with them.
Citizens of other countries
Salaried employees: B Permit
The annual quotas will be abolished for EU (excluding Romania and Bulgaria) citizens in 2007. This will not be the case for non-EU citizens. A limited number of permits are issued every year. Permits of B type issued to students are not considered as working permits and as such are not object of restrictions. So far we havn't noticed any problems in obtaining residence permits for students in Ticino.
As for working permints, the decision of the Labour and Employment Office of the local canton is based on the overall economic situation and on the justification given by the employer.
Documents needed for residence permit request:
- An official enrolment certification from the University
- Two passport type photos
- A personal ID (passport)
- A photocopy of the lease contract of the apartment
- A completed form 105 (www.ti.ch/DI/DI/SezS/form_sportello_uffs/105_i.pdf must be filled-up using a typewriter or in block letters)
A note: upon reception of residence permit one must register with the Cantonal Residence authority at the address Municipio (Townhall)
Piazza Riforma
6900 Lugano
+41 91 800 70 49
Hours of service: Monday-Friday: 7.30am – 12 noon and
1.30 – 5pm
The permit is valid one year, but it is almost surely renewed automatically – on request – if you don’t change employer or move to another canton. Moreover, it can be converted into a C Permit after a certain number of years (depending on the country of origin).
The B Permit allows you and your whole family to live in Switzerland; but you are the only one authorized to work. The spouse or husband may be granted a second work permit depending on her or his profession and the economic situation.
The spouse or husband of a Swiss citizen living in Switzerland or settling again in Switzerland can also be granted a B Permit. There is no quota fixed for this permit.
Caution: You must apply every year for the renewal of the B Permit. You will be given an application form which must be completed and forwarded immediately to the personnel department. The employee commits himself to renew his permit in due course.
2.2 Residence permit:C Permit
This is a permanent residence and work permit which allows you to change employer freely and to move wherever you choose on the entire Swiss territory. This permit is only granted when an alien has spent several years in Switzerland with a B Permit. To obtain the C Permit you have to apply to the “Contrôle des habitants” (Civil registration office) of your canton of residence.
2.3 Short-term Permits
Short-term permits can be issued to sabbatical or academic guests, to trainees (graduating students, grant holders, etc…) or for research mandates. Those permits are granted according to certain rules. Caution! They are not always renewed.
2.4 Aliens who already live in Switzerland
Future foreign employees who have already been issued a Swiss work permit should call at the personnel department. Depending on their present status, it can prove necessary to apply for a new permit before their hiring. (However, if they come from a EU/EFTA country and already have a job, they will be issued their permit unconditionally).
2.5 PhD students and postgraduates: B Permit with limited validity
Work permits for students are limited to three years. You may apply through the personnel department for an extension of your permit. Your request must be justified by a letter of explanation. The permit can only be renewed for a fourth additional year. It doesn’t entitle you to change University or Institute. It is somehow a B Permit limited to educational purposes and the years already spent in Switzerland with this permit don’t count for acquiring a C Permit (see above). On the expiry date of your contract, and consequently of your work permit, you will have to either leave Switzerland or take the necessary steps to get another permit. Your status will not allow you to remain in Switzerland as a tourist or to receive unemployment benefits.
•
www.etrangers.ch - Website of the Confederation (containing laws)
•
www.europa.admin.ch - Information (in 4 languages)
Shengen Visa
Having B Swiss permit you are eligible to get
Shengen visaBy accord, Shengen Visa allows travel through the European Union without much difficulty at borders. valid for six months (for some, up to one year). You should first set an appointment by phone at the Italian Embassy (0900 000 156); it usually takes 3-4 weeks to get an appointment.
Upon handling all necessary documents (Shengen Form,
Permit B, proof of
travel insurance, etc.), if no problems, you get a visa within 7 days.
Driver's License
Foreign driver's licenses in general are not valid in Switzerland except during first year of stay. However if you stay longer than three continuous months outside the country you may continue to use driver license from your country. More information on this issue at: http://www.admin.ch/ch/i/rs/741_51/a42.html
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