I am moving to Zurich soon, my partner is there already with a permanent job and I will be living with him.
Can someone tell me how usually a job seeker permit is granted under those circumstances (I am an EU citizen) and what happened if the permit expired and haven't found any job before?
Also what happens if I can work loose hours on sporadic jobs under that permit?
Thanks!
You have 2 choices: you can either go the independent route with a job seeker permit for 3 months with the possibility to extend it for another 3 months after that assuming you have the funds to support yourself - or your partner could apply for a concubine permit; this is for unmarried heterosexual couples and is similar to family reunification - your permit would be reliant on his and if he loses it for any reason then you’d need to apply for a new independent permit which may or may not be granted depending on your circumstances at the time. He would also have to agree to be financially responsible for you.
Example 1: I arrive, I wait 3 months to register, they give me 3-month job seeker permit, I don't find a job, I ask for a 3-month extension, and If I still can't find a job I ask a permit linked to my partner support, In that case, I can have 9 months to find a job before asking a partner support permit
Example 2: I arrive, I register the first week, I get a 3-month job seeker (or in that case, they will give me a 6-month one) then 3-month extension, total 6 months?
Of course, ideally I would get a job before all that time, but from what I am being told is not unusual to take a long time till you find something so I rather have all that information for the in-case situation
You could do 1 I guess. They may ask you how long you’ve been in the country if you have to apply for a job seeker’s permit and may limit it to only the 3 months without an option to extend. But that really depends on the gemeinde/commune itself I suppose.
And you don’t ask for a concubine permit, your partner will have to do so and prove he can support you financially.
No, if you can’t find a job within 6 months you’re expected to leave the country and try your luck elsewhere.
Generally, you may stay in Switzerland for at least six months".
"At least".
And at some point you will be expected to leave and yes, they really check that.
From the AFMP FAQ:
Jobseekers wishing to stay in Switzerland for up to three months do not require a residence permit. If they intend to remain here for longer than three months, then they need to contact the migration authorities; the same rule applies even when the jobseeker receives unemployment benefits from abroad. A short-stay permit (EU/EFTA) will be issued covering a period of three months. A short-stay permit for jobseekers will be issued if the person has the necessary financial means to cover his/her stay in Switzerland2. This permit may be extended for up to one year if the jobseeker provides proof that he/she continues to search for a job and has a reasonable expectation of finding employment. There are no quotas on short-stay permits for jobseekers. Under the terms of the AFMP, jobseekers are not entitled to claim welfare benefits.
Link?