I applied for a C Permit through my attorney. She also applied for B Permit for retirees (which I did not ask for). They turned that down because they decided I did not have the finances to retire in Switzerland. My question is simple, can they also turn me down for the C Permit one those grounds? I am US citizen.
Thanks in advance,
kenn
Why did she apply for a B permit for retirees when you’re working, that makes no sense whatsoever. C permits aren’t available for retirees from what I can see.
C permit will depend on how integrated into Swiss life you are: speak the official cantonal language, take part in Swiss activities, etc. The law was changed a few years ago.
https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home…rdernisse.html
Looking at your profile I’m not sure your language skills meet the requirements.
Why did your attorney request a retiree permit? If you apply as a retiree, the authorities assume you will not work so they look at your finances. They've determined you don't have the funds to stay here indefinitely as a non-working retiree.
It may be worthwhile to appeal and ask for an independent B or C permit based on good integration and the ability to support yourself. Show language certificates, salary slips, club memberships, etc.
It might be tricky though - your employer was able to hire you without any special processes or procedures based on your dependent permit. As a non-EU seeking an independent permit, the authorities may want the employer to relist the position and prove that they can't find a Swiss or EU to do the job. The employer might need to go through the "non-EU hiring process" you read about here on EF. Is your employer willing to do that?
I believe the appeals time frame isn't very long so you need to decide what you want and go from there. Good luck!
Edit - Medea is faster
I am taking the A2 test in a week. I think I have around a 70% chance of passing. I meet all of the other requirements. But it was made very clear too me that the Swiss Gov't does not want people to request financial help. Which is completely understandable. That's why I'm concerned about things.
I can appeal the denial of the C Permit, but I don't think it's worth it if I know they turn me down and then I owe them "court costs".
I think my best option is for my company to request the B Permit as a specialist, which I am. But since I will be 65 next year, they don't seem to want to go through the trouble of doing that.
I guess that may be my only/best option.
Maybe the one year period until you retire also plays a role.
@Island Money, that is exactly what they told me.
Yes, people don’t tend to work here past the retirement age so that may well be a problem for you. Also it’s doubtful your company would want to go to the time/expense of proving only you can do the job if you’re going to be retiring one year on.
The permit would hinge on whether the company could and would do the work of proving that you are necessary to their company's business, and/or that your work in the company brings a benefit to the Swiss economy. If they can, then they'd have have a chance of getting you a permit.
Unfortunately, it's not enough to just be a specialist in something in which many others - all through Switzerland and the whole of the EU - are also such a specialist.
There's a reasonable chance if your speciality is rare, or if you hold an unusual combination of qualifications, knowledge, skills, languages, international connections and experience, such that your role is key. Arguments for this include, for example, that having you there enables the company to keep the project up and running, to press on with an innovation, to close a deal, to continue to employ several other people, or to expand their profits.
Tom
However, I seem to recall some rule about once being here for five years there's a little more security. Don't know. Best ask your attorney.
Does anyone think I should appeal the C Permit rejection?
-Dr. M.
Seems there is no or minimal language skills, no integration, no family/partner, job will disappear at 65, no sufficient savings or retirement income to live in retirement, etc. If you read some other threads there is high unemployment here in later years, so I would think finding a job after 65 would be near impossible as it is the legal retirement age. Unless you are really special, I would not rely on this. I think the authorities know this as well. I think the lawyer was correct in checking the retirement route as if you do not have the means to stay here at 65 then you would be on some sort of social help that would not be permissible.
Good luck if you want to stay but I don't see anything strongly tying you here and you are probably much better off in a lower cost country in retirement if you have not significant earnings here; heck, even with significant earnings here, many cannot afford to retire here.
As far as integration, I'm not sure why you think that. I have a lot of friends here, none of them are from English speaking countries, I belong to a swim team and I play in clubs (I'm also a musician).
I had a partner, but yes, that is done. As far as retirement, I have enough for probably any other country. But Switzerland is one of the wealthiest countries in the western world. But the amount here, as you mentioned, is quite different from other countries where this wouldn't even be a question.
BUT - I get your point. I love living here and and don't want to leave. But at this point, it seems there is no choice.
I appreciate your honesty. That's what I need to read.
I can think of plenty of reasons the OP might want to stay.
OP has been here more than five years and built themselves a life here. It may have been a dream from long ago to live here. They might loves the city they live in, have a nice apartment, enjoy the cuisine, culture, landscape. They might appreciate the public transport, health system, government and political systems.
They may have many good friends and contacts completely aside from their ex. They might be involved in plenty of non-work activities. They may feel they have plenty still to offer here.
Remind me never to go out for a beer with you
I asked if there would be a problem with my being unemployed and younger than the official retirement age. He looked at the sheet, smiled, and said, "No, it's always about the money." We aren't rich, by any means, but appeared to have enough to satisfy him that we weren't likely to go on the dole here.
Got our C-permits a month later. We took them out for a walk on along the lake to celebrate (leashed of course).
Renewed in 2020 without any problems.
-Dr. M.