I have a C permit/UK passport and have lived in Switzerland (Kanton Zürich) for almost 11.5 years (Initially on L - which no longer counts towards citizenship years, 10 years on B and C permits). I will have completed the 10 years on 14 Dec 2022. I wanted to apply for Swiss citizenship on this date and now things have changed since I was told I could be made redundant in the next few weeks.
Our American CEO came here 10 days ago to announce that 70% of the Swiss workforce will be made redundant after the consultation period of a few weeks. I may have the option to move to the US office (lived in the same area in the US for 4 years in the past), and it could be a good thing as my 20-year-old daughter will also be heading to the US to join her mum (my ex who lives in the US) after she graduates from Uni in London.
I am in the process of negotiating to get relocated to the US. At the same time, I don't want to lose my 11 years of history here, as I like this country very much and may want to come back here. I could apply in a month and keep my address and ask my friend to check the mail- should I be moving abroad and never de-register until I receive my Swiss citizenship (if all goes OK). However, I notice in the application form there is a form for the employer to confirm employment (I am still officially employed). I have never used the social welfare system here in the past.
Here are my questions:
- Is paid employment at the time of application a requirement?
-Is paid employment during the application process a requirement (until citizenship is granted)?
I believe I have another way of keeping my C permit here, which is by requesting the Kanton a permission to live abroad for up to 4 years for professional years. I am not sure which path would be better for me, apply for citizenship now or request absence from Switzerland. Anyway, quite a few unknowns still, such as if the company will even grant me employment in the US (there is a good chance). Your thoughts and advice would be appreciated.
If you do that, it is the best way to lose your new passport right away.
Even with a C permit you cannot leave the country for longer than 6 months unless you have approval. And being sent abroad by your employer can be a reason so why not try that?
You can apply for citizenship whilst on RAV. So apply for RAV, look for a job here, apply for citizenship. Once you have that passport you can head to the USA.
If they think you have diddled the system to get Swiss nationality you will have to jump through hoops to keep your passport
They can easily see if you are here or not, phone bills, use of bankomats, speeding tickets, electricity use and that is just the starting point.
The authorities not only have the right to grant citizenship, they also have the powers to remove it is you were naturalised and have another nationality.
If you are applying for citizenship, they will be looking into you. They will see your immigration records. They will see your taxes. They might knock on your door without notice to do a police check. Etc Etc They will soon figure out that you are not here.
Yep, and don’t you have to attend interviews at some point as well in the citizenship process? Could be awkward if you suddenly have to come back from the US to attend one.
No and no. While you are on unemployment benefit you are effectively employed by the RAV. You will be expected to make several applications for new work each week, and provide proof.
Once the unemployment benefit runs out and you've insufficient assets, then you'll go on social and then you can't naturalise.
Do not try to naturalise unless you're planning to stay here for at least the next few years.
Firstly, you do not lose your 11 years of residence if you leave. You need 10 years of residence but this does not have to be right before the application, nor continuous. The 11 years will always be there for you and count when you return. The rest is canton-dependent, eg geneva requires 3 years of residence before applying, vaud 2 years, so find out. So if you leave now and return, you only need a couple of years or so of extra waiting.
You need a C permit though, so you should preserve/park your current C permit. With the good reasons, if the canton agrees (before you have left), they give you a letter promising that upon return they will issue you a C permit again instead of a B. So you don't keep your C permit, your residence ends like normally.
Anything else looks too complicated. Not working is not a problem, having worked for 10 years would count as economic integration. Technically being outside of Switzerland for less than 6 months does not impact on your C permit or situation, as anyone is allowed to go on holiday. But working there even from distance, without looking for jobs in switzerland you will be asked to explain. Noone will really spy on you. But you are asked to provide some supporting documents during the procedure (not upfront) so need an address, and I count at least 4 stages of the procedure where you have to be physically present during the procedure, excluding the initial language test, so are you willing to take a plane at a couple of weeks notice just for that? The whole thing from the language test to getting the passport in your pocket is easily 1.5 years. It seems quite a big price (maintaining residence, rent, health insurances, travel costs, paying income tax in two countries), just to have the citizenship sooner. After all, your current passport is not that bad and not really limiting your travels.