Hello, I had a fairly confusing day today and I am hoping to get some EnglishForum expertise on the matter.
So, I am planning on moving from canton of Zurich to Aargau in March/April 2015. Being a good EnglishForum member, I tried to read up everything I could find using the search function on here. Based on this, I was under the impression that there can be restrictions on a B-permit regarding changing canton (and/or jobs, but I am not planning on changing jobs). Since I want to get everything in order well in advance, I called the migration department in Bern to find out if my B-permit allows me to change canton. The guy on the phone simply told me that I need to call the migration department in Zurich canton. So, I called the number he gave me and the lady on the phone informed me in a "I can't believe you don't know this already" tone that I need to call the canton of Aargau to get the permission to move there.
Okay, so my first question is:
Q1) I asked both the gentleman in Bern and the lady in Zurich if my B-permit has any restrictions on it. I also explicitly inquired about restrictions related to movement across Switzerland and/or changing of jobs. Unfortunately, neither of them gave me an answer to that query. The lady simply said that I need to get permission from the canton I am planning to move. Does this mean that there are no restrictions? Just an additional data point: My company *did* have to prove to the authorities that they cannot find someone else in Switzerland/EU for my job last year.
Anyways, then I called the authorities in Aargau. They were actually quite nice and told me that I need to write them a letter asking for permission to move to Aargau with some documents related to my financial and employment status.
So, my second set of questions,
Q2) Does anyone have any experience writing such a letter and mind giving me some tips about what all that goes into it?
Q3) How exactly does this permission thing work? Do I have to leave Zurich within x amount of days after I get permission to move to Aargau? Can I look for apartments without getting the said permission? How long is the permission valid for? I am just really confused on this permission aspect and there does not seem to be a lot of posts related to this.
Check the back of your permit. If it’s “tied” to your employer it will say so by giving their name I believe. If it is tied then yes, you need permission from both Zurich and Aargau cantons to move.
My employer said I needed a letter for Zurich Canton to get permission by explaining why I wanted move to zurich when my job was in basel. Well.. I never got the permission.. I don't know if my HR was just curious or they forgot to submit the letter .. but I just found an apt in Zurich and went to Basel to de-register and registered in Zurich.
You just bring your employment letter (contract or letter from HR) and bank statement and no-debt (and social benefit history) record to Aarau..(ask what documents you need and where to get them) then you should be fine.
I think you have 7-10 days from the de-registered date to register in the new kanton.
According to the law on foreigners, B permits can change cantons with the approval of the canton you are moving to. So the person you spoke to in Aarau is correct. Technically you need permission first. But you could do as Ciao has done if you are sure you won't have any reason to be rejected (Art 62 on the law on foreigners, see below).
Or just do as was requested and send a letter first. Tell them you want to move to the canton because ...... You are employed at...... You have no debts and are not collecting social benefits and/or unemployment. Include supporting documents.
Once you are approved then you can proceed with your move.
"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.
3 Persons with a permanent residence permit are entitled to move to another canton, provided there are no grounds for revocation in terms of Article 63.
4 No permit is required for a temporary stay in another canton."
No mention of my firm anywhere on the permit. I know that in my L-permit it did mention the name. However, I also read in some thread on here that it does not have to mention anything on the B-permit.
Okay, that makes it quite clear. I will do as they suggest and write the damn letter . Thanks a lot guys!!!
I don't think so. You need to de-register at the first canton and then register at the new one. You can't have two permits at the same time, after all. But you are welcome to contact the new canton for information on how to make the transition smoothly and quickly.
Your residence permit is always issued by the canton that you live in. the work permit part could be from another canton (where you actually work) but this is included in the residence permit. normally at the time of renewal, your residence canton will contact your work canton to check if you are still working and issue the new residence permit.
hence it is not possible that the new canton where you work can issue you the new permit. the only option is to move to that canton.
but there is no benefit of having a permit from one canton over another. basically all have the same rights which is your right to residence.
A quick follow up question. Looking a few years forward, would a history of jumping from kanton to kanton hinder your case once you apply for an early C permit?
The history of jumping around would only affect naturalization requirements (for the moment). For the C-permit, the language and other requirements might change depending on where you live but the 5 years residence in CH is standard across the board.
I called the foreigner service department in the new city I probably will be working at, NOT Living there though. They told me that if I planned to live there, a written request must be prepared. BUT if I don't plan to live there, meaning I would do the commute everyday from my current canton to the new canton. Nothing is needed to be done. As my taxes and all other papers are still in my current canton.
I think this is pretty much what you explained. Please correct if I am wrong.
If it's at all helpful, I've just gone through all of this in the past two weeks, and figuring out the right steps and the order of which were not completely straightforward to figure-out... so again, hopefully this can help someone else:
I started at the immigration office in my old canton, who told me the permits would be taken care of through the Registration process and not the immigration office.
I first needed to de-register in my old Canton (though still the Canton of my employment), which I did. (you need your permit, passport and new address - I used my change of address form from Die Post and new Lease) The old Canton told me what I needed to bring to the new one, gave me a checklist/confirmation letter and sent me on my de-registered, merry way.
The next step was to register in my new Gemeinde (and subsequently Canton). I filled out two forms, one for residency and the other for immigration (and provided the documentation required and in the de-registered canton's checklist). All that was needed for the immigration was a copy of my employment contract, showing gainful employment, and the form. The Gemeinde assured me this was all I needed.
I left the Gemeinde with a lovely "welcome" gift bag and went on my merry way.