So the whole thing took just over a month. I will call and see if they still require the background check - a pain since I spent 60 CHF in Winterthur getting my fingerprints done and the FBI will charge $18.
Coincidentally, I received my B permit in the mail just today. There was no accompanying letter about background check (which I am still waiting for from the FBI). I registered on July 21, had biometric on August 6, mailed letter of explanation around the 13th and received my permit on August 26th.
Oh how great! Must be a relief!
Thanks for your timeline, mine is very similar but about 2 weeks behind, so I may be waiting a bit longer. Its definitely a reasonable amount of time (especially when you compare it to the US visa/greencard system). I am hoping to have mine sooner rather than later as I already have a job lined up and I am quite bored, haha. Its my first stint of unemployment in 10 years, since I was old enough to work. The first few weeks were nice, but now I'm ready for some routine, actually.
This thread has been very helpful but can anyone clarify exactly at which point we are allowed to start working as non-EU nationals, accompanying EU spouses?
Hubby and I registered yesterday with our contracts and I received a document confirming my application. The weird part is the lady at the registration office said I can start working immediately after applying, but the confirmation I received says it does not guarantee the permit will be approved.
So what have been the experiences on when it is that I can start working?
a. When I register at the Kreisbüro and apply for the permit
b. Once I have attended the biometric appointment (in two weeks)
c. Once the actual B Permit arrives in the mail (timeframe given was 4-6 weeks)
Anyone have up-to-date times for Geneva? Apparently the summer months here are slow.
Are the processing times any different for non-EU citizens? From what I heard we receive a credit-card format permit instead of the EU booklet.
I got my L permit in 10 days flat from Zürich. I'm a non-EU.
I think that this depends on canton and time of the year
I alsl got my L permit within 2 weeks but that was November so it could be that they were less swamped with work.
Renewals also took 2 weeks
Hi all, little update from me as we have finally got everything sorted.
We registered at Kreisbüro with our work contracts July 5 I was given a biometric appointment for July 15 On July 15 I had appointment, was told I may only start working when the permit is approved, I do not have to wait for the card to start working BUT I have to wait for it to be approved, was told they can let me know when it is approved by e-mail if I request that via e-mail July 18 apparently the permit was already approved but I only found out when I called them today (according to Kreisbüro, normal for card to arrive about 10 days after the permit has been approved) July 26 card arrived at post office for me to pick up
for context, this is for non-EU spouse of an EU citizen
Thanks for the info. Apparently Geneva is notoriously slow during the summer months compared to other cantons.
Hi, are you saying your consulate applied for your permit in Geneva and Geneva authorized your non EU B Permit, and you were able to enter and register directly in Zurich without first having to register in Geneva?
Thanks for your help, I am wondering if this is possible or if one has to initially register in the Canton that authorized the permit.
You have to register and live in the Kanton that authorized your permit (as a non EU)
Since the canton was kind enough to grant you a permit they expect you to live in that canton so they get your tax money. The law is pretty clear:
" Art. 36 Place of residence
Persons with a short stay permit, a residence or a permanent residence permit are free to choose their place of residence within the canton that granted the permit.
Art. 37 Change of the place of residence to another canton
1 Persons with a short stay permit or a residence permit who would like to relocate their place of residence to another canton must apply for the appropriate permit from the new canton beforehand .
2 Persons with a residence permit are entitled to move to another canton provided they are not unemployed and there are no grounds for revocation in terms of Article 62 paragraph 1."
https://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classifi…232/index.html
Frankly, I’m surprised the OP managed to get such a change. Since his workplace is/was also in Geneva (which is why the initial application was made there) moving so far away seems like a strange choice to start with. Bloody long commute every day.
Ours was very quick, I am surprised to see these long times - maybe 2 weeks.
When we went to renew it we got another document that allowed us to travel and then we had the renewed one within a week and thats only a couple months ago.
Good luck.
hi Dest swiss, i know its been along time ago for you, but currently i might be in the same position as you.
i apply my visa D based on family reunification in canton geneva, but suddenly my husband has to move to zurich.
so is it ok if the authorization is sign from geneva and register the real permit in zurich?
just wondering hows your b permit goes?
thank you in advance