B-permit EU/EFTA (1 year, student)

Visas, Permits, Passports and Naturalization
1
Hi everyone

I'm from Austria, came here to study (bachelor's & master's in Zurich).

And I would like to know if I could apply for C-permit under following (theoretical) conditions:

09/2015 - 09/2023: B-permit (renewal after every year, expiry always in 09/20xx)

09/2023 - 12/2023: L-permit

01/2024 - xxx: B-permit (renewal after five years)

Explanation of the situation: Currently, I am actively seeking employment as a recent graduate from ETH. I have gained valuable experience through various internships during my studies, and I already have a few interviews lined up, so I am relatively optimistic about finding a permanent position. However, it is likely that I will secure a job no earlier than September 2023 and no later than January 2024.

One concern I have relates to my current student B-permit, which will be converted to an L-permit for a minimum duration of three months. Considering my circumstances, would it be possible for me to apply for a C-permit in 2025, assuming everything goes well as previously mentioned? I am particularly interested in understanding if the process differs for individuals who transition from a student B-permit, despite being from the EU/EFTA.

Is it worth applying in my case then or rather not ?

2
Yes, apply for your C after having at least 2 years on a work B permit (so in your case between September 2025 and January 2026).

Your student years will then count towards an early (5 year) or regular (10 year) C permit.

Your job seeker L permit does not break your years.

3
Are you sure? According to Art. 34 para. 5 FNIA. "Periods of stay for education or training (Art. 27)

are included if the person concerned, after their completion, held a permanent residence permit for an uninterrupted period of two years."

L permit is not permanent, so if the education years is followed by L permit, they won't count for C.

4
Yes I am sure.

The directives (Weisungen) state that the job seeker L-permit does not interrupt these years.

Weisungen Ausländerbereich 3.5.3.2

Eine Kurzaufenthaltsbewilligung, die für die Stellensuche nach Abschluss eines Studiums an einer Schweizer Hochschule für die Dauer von sechs Monaten erteilt wird (Art. 21 Abs. 3 AIG), bewirkt keine Unterbrechung der Frist nach Artikel 34 Absatz 4 AIG, der einen «ununterbrochenen Aufenthalt mit Aufenthaltsbewilligung während der letzten fünf Jahre» voraussetzt.

5

WOW that's really great news! thank you so much