Documents Required for B Permit for Canton of Nidwalden

Hi there,

Has anyone recently gone through the process of obtaining a permit B in the Canton of Nidwalden? Ideally from the US or at least a non-EU/EFTA country? I have a pretty good shot at getting a job there (understood that would be a pre-req), and trying to anticipate the actual required paperwork that would be required.

I reviewed their website for further details:

https://www.nw.ch/amtjustizdienste/1766

https://www.nw.ch/_docn/246460/Merkb...-NW-646772.pdf

Specifically one of the documents requested in the above pdf states

"Home criminal record extract, if not already available"

I've seen a lot of posts mentioning the FBI background specifically required, does anyone know if that is the case for this canton? Seems like the different ones have different rules if I'm following. The statement seemed vague and was wondering if a local report that is apostilled would be sufficient or not.

Thanks!

Not sure about the Crim Record check, but your employer would have to apply for you and prove they couldn’t find a Swiss/EU citizen for the job.

Nidwalden is not exactly the most foreigner friendly kanton to go looking for a third country permit.....

Surprised Wallis is so high - must be the French half

Ok so the employer puts in all the paperwork for the work permit and the residence permit (permit B)? If I understood it, the overall flow would be job offer, employer puts in work permit, I would have to get D Visa for initial entry then upon arrival I thought I'd have to go to the local immigration office to start the residence aka permit B process, so it seemed like I would have to handle that.

And definitely fair points, I originally wasn't even considering this as I assumed it was not realistic but since then have gotten in contact with several colleagues that have made the leap there in my industry including someone that used to work at my current company. They felt it was pretty feasible to get a work offer from one of 2 companies that are knowledgeable of this process and have a non-trivial amount of americans working there currently. It's specialized work (aero engr) so I think that would qualify. Perhaps they are being overly optimistic however, read all up on the quota and needs to be specialized work with degree etc and I have quite a few years of work experience under my belt.

Any information on what actual documentation will be accepted would be ideal or if the full FBI check is required (it's a much lengthier process than the other options).

Thanks

Your work/residence permit is the same thing. It would be approved before you get the D visa and enter the country. Once you are here, all you have to do is go to the office and get your biometrics taken so they can issue the card.

What an employer has to do to be able to hire you over a Swiss/EU national

https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home…ml#-1698804124

and the process it goes through to be granted or refused.

https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home…ensablauf.html

Really just looking for clarification on if the canton Nidwalden specifically requires the FBI Background check or if a local or state check (that was apostilled) would be sufficient is all. Ideally from someone who has applied to that canton somewhat recently from the US.

I don't know about Nidwalden, but remember that the application also goes through the federal government. So if the feds require it, you'll need it even if Nidwalden doesn't require it.

When I was employed from overseas my permis B was approved before I arrived based on employers application. The employer did ask me for a few documents, including a criminal check which I got from my local (not EU or US) police.

I didn’t need a visa to enter Switzerland, even though I was coming for work.

About the only thing I had to do after arrival was to get a chest X-ray to check for TB. I don’t think they do that anymore.

I can not speak specifically to the Canton in question, but I had to provide both an FBI report and a local report.

To get the local report I had to go to the county Sheriff's office. We did not have to do an Apostille on any documents.