B Permit -> C Permit (Non-EU) after 5 years + Social Benefit

Visas, Permits, Passports and Naturalization
1
Did not find the exact info till now, so am posing the question here:

We are non EU soon completing 5 years in CH, so am looking up if we can apply for an early C permit. All the conditions seem to be fulfilled, except one: The fact that I received unemployment benefit for a couple of months in between. In the application for the early C permit, it said that you need to prove you never received social help ("Sozialhilfe"), or that you paid back the amount that you received.

So, I am guessing unemployment benefit falls under "Sozialhilfe", and I should either give up the idea of the early C, or pay back the amount received?

Anyone with info, experience?

2
Unemployment benefits are not social assistance. You paid for your unemployment benefit insurance yourself every time you had an employment contract (take a look at your current wage statement). So, it looks as if you meet all the criteria, congrats! I hope you get your early permit when you do apply.

3
Thanks, that was the answer I was hoping for!

Will now check with Gemeinde how I can apply.

4
After getting all the documents, writing a nice covering letter, we waited around 4 weeks. The C's came in the mail yesterday.

5
Thanks for the info, this is good to know. I'm also a non EU on a B (going for a C), so this info will definitely come in handy in future.

6
hi, i am interesting. could you please inform, which country you are from? cause i know, C permit for non euro after 5 years only when the woman marry the swiss man.

thanks for your answer.

7
Congratulations Sankbhat! I was under the impression that you need at least 8 years before you can apply For C Permit

8
We are both from India.

9
It is possible for Non-EU (non US, Australia, Canada, NZ etc) folks to get permit C after completing five years in CH. In the last 4 years a number of our friends have followed our example and got the C permit. Here's what you need to do...

1. When your renewal for B permit is due after completion of the 5th year, just go for it normally.

2.There is no separate application for C permit for non-EU people applying immediately after completing 5 years. In fact there is no application for at all.

3.This comes under a special category called VINTA. Just Google Vinta and you will get the relevant links. All in German but I am sure either you will understand or someone will be able to explain.

4. What is required is an "application" (i.e. a letter) from you explaining how you like CH, how/why you would like to stay here permanently, how you are integrated etc.

Additionally, you also need to submit the following:

4a. a certificate from your Gemeinde stating you have no financial claims on you from anyone (this is issued on a routine basis for about CHF5 to 20)

4b. a character certificate issued by the central authority in Bern (again a routine thing, you can even apply for it through your local post office. They will need your passport. This certificate is called "casiere judiciare" in French. Costs about CHF20) stating you have no criminal record and no criminal cases pending against you and

4c. a certificate showing your language proficiency. There is no need to specify the level. Just the fact that you are learning the language. This can be from either a school or even a private tutor. They don't actually test it (your language skills). They just need a certificate.

5. All this needs to be submitted to your Gemeinde. They pass it on to the Canton which then passes it on to Bern.

6.In Vaud it took about 4-6 months when we applied, but as you can see from this thread it can be a lot quicker now. In the German part we know of friends who have received in 3 weeks.

7. We had completed 8 years before we applied. Based on our example and our advice as above, many friends and colleague based in GVA/Vaud cantons have got it immediately after completing five years

Hope this helps. Good luck!

10
This may again be a cantonal thing, but we did have a separate application for C, and here it is.

The cantonal authority also asked us to submit the normal B permit application, in case the C does not come through.

So, there may be differences between Cantons, however, the local authority can give all the info.

11
Hi,

I am a non-eu, got my C permit.

But, my wife is not here since 5 years with me, she joined me 2 years ago, so she doesn't have a C.

Before I got C , I used to get a green form, where I used to get a signature and stamp from my employer.

What is the process of B permit extension for her now?

Thanks in advance

12
Any one ?