Hello all,
I'm an EU citizen married to a Swiss wife. I received a job offer in Lugano and we moved here last year and I applied July 2017 for my B Permit in Ticino using the "Family reunification with lucrative activity" form, signed by my employer my showing salary.
I still haven't received my permit. Instead, after many calls, today I received a letter in the mail asking me to demonstrate "declaration of economic support by the spouse".
I'm a bit puzzled because I'm the breadwinner, I've demonstrated I have a suitable salary, and my wife works as a stay-at-home mother.
Posts like https://www.englishforum.ch/permits-...-question.html quoting Swiss law seem to suggest the B-permit should be virtually automatic in the case of a Swiss spouse? Perhaps that's out-of-date, or cantons have the right to add additional requirements?
Has anyone been asked this? What documentation can I provide?
Surely there can't be a regulation preventing family reunification just because the Swiss citizen in question is a stay-at-home mother?
Why did you go for family reunification???
As a EU person you need a job and you will get a permit (unless you are from one of the EU countries with limited permits per year)
Wrong choice, start again...
I called the Ticino immigration office 20 April 2017 on [+41918145500](tel:+41%2091%20814%2055%2000) and spoke with [name removed] and was told that I should move first and once there go to into their office and request a Permesso B (raggiungimento familiale) for CHF 69.
Yes, this really. Since you applied for family reunification you are considered a dependent of your wife and since she’s not working she has to show she can support you financially .
"The following requirements must be met in order for family reunification to take place:
• Your apartment must be large enough – by Swiss standards – to accommodate the entire family.
• If you are self-employed or not employed: you must prove that you have adequate financial resources to cover the living expenses of family members ."
https://www.ch.ch/en/family-reunification-eu-efta/
This is what they’re asking for from her, not you since you’re her dependent.
If you had arrived without a job already you would have applied under family reunification (assuming your wife can show the finance needed) and then later when you found a job you would have gone to your commune/gemeinde and shown them your employment contract to add the “lucrative activity” part to your permit.
What you should have done as an EU national is simply applied for your own permit showing your employment contract. Make a new application, not under family reunification.
Jep you indeed approached this all wrong. You could have simply moved her since you apparently had a job, gotten your B permit months ago and be done with it.
They now ask for proof your wife can support you because you applied for family reunification based on her citizenship and 'status' here. Translation: you are asking for a permit as her dependent.
Makes zero sense. You don't need family reunification at all. All you need to do is walk down to the commune, tell them to withdraw the application, show your work contract and passport, fill out a few forms, get your actual permit card a few weeks later. Done.
Edit - btw: this is all under the assumption you are indeed an EU citizen and this wasn't a typo. Your profile says Canadian, as does your user name.
Bummer. I asked the Ticino immigration office what to do and followed instructions.
Sadly, in Ticino one doesn't simply walk down to the commune anymore. Nor does one get anything immigration-related in a few weeks.
Yes, I am also an EU citizen.
Still, withdraw the application and file a new one.
As it turned out, no withdrawal needed, only a polite phone call and a letter from my wife. Permit now in hand.
Thanks for your advice, all!