Getting Permit C from Permit B - Vaud

Visas, Permits, Passports and Naturalization
1
Hello,

We currently hold a Permit B in Vaud. Can anyone share information on how to apply for a C permit? Is it a complicated process? Do we need to submit all the documents that we did for Permit B - e.g., recommendation letters from neighbors, clubs, schools, etc.?

Thank you.

Daisy

2
Talk to your commune.

3
There are dozens of threads on the subject and fairly easy to find documentation from both the canton and the SEM.

There is no short answer people here can give you without more information on your specific situation. But basically, you need to have lived 10 years in Switzerland, the last 5 of which must be uninterrupted and with a B permit, and prove good integration including language requirements (waived for nationals of certain EU countries). Except if you are from a country with an agreement with Switzerland that allows you to apply after only 5 (consecutive, uninterrupted) years instead of 10. If that is not the case, you can still apply after 5 years but need to prove extra good integration with a higher language requirement.

4
My husband and I received our C-permits today, after having lived in Switzerland (Ticino) for 5 years only. We knew about the ‘10-year rule’ but I had also heard that if you are considered ‘sufficiently integrated’ already after 5 years you might be lucky to receive a C-permit. And apparently the authorities thought we were.

The process is rather lengthy time-wise but nevertheless fun. In short, our permit-procedure involved supplying documents to two parallel entities;

1. the Municipal (comune)

2. the Federal authorities

In short, the documentation we were asked to submit was:

- declaration of the Financial Situation (assets, salary pay slips/pension notices etc.)

- declaration of “non” Criminal Records (from home country & Switzerland)

- proof of Health Insurance

- Rental Agreement or Purchasing Contract

- Identification document (passport)

- Language skill test result

As for the Federal “process” we were called to an interview at the local police station to go through all the documentation (see above). The hour-long meeting was held by a police officer in the local language (Italian) which I think contributed to the successful outcome of our application. Furthermore, we happened to know one of his former colleagues very well (our next door neighbour), which I’m suspect helped in assessing our level of ‘integration’.

Start the whole process by visiting you canton’s federal website.

Hope this helps. Best of luck!