In August 2018, the Federal Counsel approved the modifications brought to the Swiss Federal Law on Foreigners (LEtr), which consequently will become from the 1st January 2019 the Federal Law on Foreigners and Integration (“la loi fédérale sur les étrangers et l’intégration” LEI). The introduction of the LEI in 2019 aims to ameliorate foreigners’ integration […]
The new Federal Law on Foreigners and Integration (LEI) introduced on January 1st 2019 brought a few changes to the previous Swiss Federal law regulating foreigners on Swiss territory. The enforcement of the LEI means stricter conditions for Swiss permit applicants as the notion of integration gains importance in Swiss immigration policy. Hence, a foreigner […]
The fast-tracked C permit anticipé
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The Swiss C permit is the equivalent of permanent residency, allowing a foreigner to live and work in Switzerland without any restrictions. The permit C holder does not need an authorization to change employer or to work as an independent. Additionally, the C permit does not restrict employment to a specific canton (art. 34 LEI). […]
Article 36 of the Swiss Citizenship Act (SCA) allows the Secrétariat d’Etat aux Migrations (SEM) to declare null and void a simplified naturalization decision when it can be assumed that it has been granted on the basis of false information or of a deliberate concealment of material circumstances by the concerned individual. In other words, […]
A C permit is the equivalent of permanent residency in Switzerland. It allows the holder to work and live in the country indefinitely without any cantonal or employer’s restrictions. A C permit is obtained after 10 years of residency or after 5 years holding a B permit while being strongly integrated (art. 34 al. 4 […]
Following the acceptance of the initiative “Against Mass Immigration” (February 2014), the Swiss Parliament adopted the revision of the law on Foreigners and Integration (LEI), mainly aiming at implementing these newly adopted political policies. The priority process aims to give an advantage to domestic job seekers registered at a regional employment agency and therefore reduce […]
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, has now officially signed the EU withdrawal agreement, meaning that the UK left the EU at midnight on 31st January 2020. This decision has direct consequences for Switzerland. The relations between Switzerland and the UK were essentially governed by bilateral agreements where Switzerland and the EU […]
Following the exceptional measures taken on the 16th March 2020 by the Council of State regarding the current state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the OCPM and all immigration authorities will be closed to the public until further notice. Urgent matters only will be assessed by appointment. Permit applications are still being processed […]
As the management of the containment of the virus improves in Switzerland, the Swiss Federal Council is gradually relaxing the rules governing access to Swiss territory. When it comes to Schengen States Restrictions and controls at the internal borders of the Schengen area have been lifted since the 15th June. This allows the free movement […]
Under Swiss law, there are only two different paths for non-EU nationals who wish to settle in Switzerland and obtain a residency permit by investing money into the Swiss economy: either (i) establish a thriving and sustainable business in Switzerland or (ii) to negotiate a tax-lump sum agreement with the canton of interest. Establish a […]
Before July 2022, same-sex couples could not marry under Swiss law, however they could conclude a registered partnership allowing them to benefit from almost the same legal protection as a marriage. Since 1st July 2022, the Swiss population voted in favour for the initiative allowing mariage between same-sex partners. The registered partnership is no longer […]
Switzerland regularly ranks as one of the best countries in the world to retire. Offering excellent healthcare facilities, great outdoor opportunities, low taxes and a high standard of lifestyle, Switzerland is a small country with many attractive aspects for foreigners who can afford it. Most cities are nestled around beautiful lakes and surrounded by mountains, […]