Informing Canton of acquired nationality

Visas, Permits, Passports and Naturalization
1

Hi all :wave:

I’m a non-EU citizen with a family reunion B permit (since 2020). I’ve been working in Switzerland since 2021 (no gaps) and living in the same Canton I moved to in 2020 (Geneva). I fluently speak the language of the Canton.

Last year I obtained the Italian citizenship (been married to an Italian for long enough) and my B permit is up for renewal next year.

I’ve heard that some people get the chance to apply for a C permit after 5 years and it’s easier for nationals of EU founding member’s nationals (not sure about the latter).

Do you know if I should inform the immigration and population office (OCPM in the case of Geneva) of my new nationality (and perhaps re-register as Italian?

Would that improve my chances of getting a chance to apply for a C permit next year?

Has anyone done that in Geneva or in another Canton?

Thanks un advance for any tips on the topic :people_hugging:

2

You definitely must inform Swiss authorities about your new Italian citizenship. It is a major change of your data (guess you have now double citizenship?). You are obliged to inform about that as you would be getting married or divorced or having a baby.

As you are now an EU-citizen your status here will change a lot - to the better as in easier. About the C-permit I don’t know, maybe they start counting the years again. But you will find out at the municipal.

3

Of course, you should inform them. But if you speak the language fluently it should be no problem for you with any nationality, because language is the biggest obstacle in obtaining early C permit.

4

Requirements for a C Permit:

  • Successful integration: participation in the economic, social and cultural life of Switzerland; familiarity with local customs; language; employment, proof of education or a study plan.
  • Citizens of the European Union (EU) countries and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries can apply after five years of consecutive residency with an L or B Permit.
  • Citizens from Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, France, Greece, Italy, Liechtenstein, Netherlands and Portugal will automatically receive a C Permit after five years of consecutive residency.
  • A spouse of a Swiss national or C Permit holder, from date of marriage in Switzerland or entry into Switzerland, automatically receives a C Permit after five years consecutive residency.
  • Third-country nationals (non EU/EFTA) must have lived in Switzerland with an L or B Permit for 10 years consecutively.
  • For non EU/EFTA countries, an early settlement C Permit after five years is possible if successful integration of all members of the family aged over 12 can be shown.
  • Americans and Canadians can apply for a C Permit after five years of consecutive residence.
  • Knowledge of language spoken in the canton of residence – level A2/B1 for spoken and A1/A2 for written, corresponding to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Required to sit a language proficiency test. Levels are dependent on canton.
  • No criminal record, debts or threat to national security.
  • Haven’t received social welfare benefits for the previous three years.
  • Applicant possessed a previous C Permit for minimum of 10 years and has not lived abroad for more than six years.

A lit will depend on when the start counting you as an Italian.

1 Like
5

Of course. Not for their benefit but yours.

6

I wish this was still true.

7

Isn´t it? I think only the language requirement has changed, other than that people from these countries still can easily get a C after 5 years.

8

As an EU you can apply for a fast track C Permit, but there isn’t an automatic upgrade anymore as far as I know.

9

No I don’t believe it is, they changed it a couple of years ago I think.
EU can still get a C permit after 5 years but there are no language exemptions anymore.