C permit renewal after divorce

Visas, Permits, Passports and Naturalization
1
Hi EF,

Non-EU here. I was married to a Swiss citizen for 10 years, and have been living here for 9. I have a C permit on the basis of marriage that is coming up for renewal at the end of this year.

Now that I am no longer married, what financial documents / proof will I need to show to renew the C-permit? While I am working, I am a freelancing photographer who doesn't earn a steady income, so it can vary from month to month. But I've been able to support myself just fine, even if I'm not currently earning a lot, and have never been on unemployment. I've also paid my taxes fully since my divorce.

Is there a certain minimum amount I am supposed to show at the time of my renewal? Should I think about getting a full-time job?

While I don't take any alimony from my ex-husband, he would be more than willing to also write a letter supporting me or showing that he could financially support me if I needed it. Would this count?

I'm very confident on my own, but since I don't know if the rules state something in particular, I want to make sure I've got this right.

Thank you!

2

What Swiss language/s do you speak? That may be the main hurdle under the new permit laws that came in a few years ago.

3
Thank you for the response @Medea. I speak French, and have the requisite certifications for the language requirement. So, I'm mainly wondering about any financial requirements, if any. Thank you!

4
Just to clarify, I'm in the German speaking part and I have the certifications for German.

5
If I were you, I'd get a job pronto (anything) - you can quit once you have you permit in hand. Then apply for citizenship.

6
Thank you @Island Monkey. So there is a minimum financial requirement? Would you know what that is in terms of a number? Also, I have a contract that is still being discussed that may only come to fruition right before the renewal time. Would that suffice or would they need to see months worth of a certain base amount in my account? Thank you..

7
I assume you have your permit C now for around 4 years. In that case your divorce should have no impact on the permit, and as long as you do not become depended on social aid (unemployment insurance is not social aid) you should keep your permit C.

A permit C is not renewed but in general for ever (save you become criminal, have made false statement to get a permit C, are no longer integrated, or depend on long term social aid), you only need a new permit card every so often.

8
which levels?

9
Typically B1

10
C permit is not renewed, it's just a new card being made and to facilitate population control, so they would need serious grounds to retrograde you to B.

If you can show that you earn enough to cover your expenses and don't need social help, that's enough. There is no minimum amount, the baseline is "able to support yourself".

11
Thank you so much! This was really helpful. Do you know if I need to show A2 or B1 German certificate? At the time that I will be asking for my permit again, it will be 10 years in Switzerland.

12
You do not have to show anything. There was NO change in the law, for existing permit C holder.

The following is incorrect information:

13
As mentioned above, your marriage ending should not have any impact to your C permit renewal. You are already a permanent resident and the renewal process is just a formality and no language or financial requirements will be requested. Unless you commit one of the offenses that warrants a revocation of your permit, you should be OK with the renewal.