Hi all,
I am a non-EU/EFTA (US) living in Valais through a cohabitation visa. I have a B-permit and am currently only working part-time.
I have been here with my EU boyfriend for over a year, but it looks like we are going to break up. We have decided that for my sake, I can stay in our apartment until the end of August, but then he plans on going to the local Gemeinde to let them know that we are not together anymore, and from what I have gleaned from calling the migration office, if we break up they will take away my permit.
Does anyone know exactly what this process looks like? I know in other EU countries your permit turns into a tourist visa, and then you have three months to leave the country. Other people have told me that you have until your permit expires (in my case not until next May) and then it will not be renewed.
My employer is trying to figure out a way that would allow me to just switch over to a regular work permit, but I am aware of the restrictions employers have in hiring non-EU and acquiring a visa for them.
Does anyone know of anyone who was in a similar situation and how it worked out? I'm not necessarily interested in staying here for an extended period of time, but would not like to have to leave immediately.
Thanks!
I haven’t heard of the permit being kept until it expires, but really only your cantonal migration office can tell you for sure. I would expect you’d become a tourist since you don’t need a visa to enter Switzerland so would have up to 90 days to sort things out.
As for the employment side, not only is it very difficult there’s no way it would be granted for part time work.
Yeah, that's kind of what I imagined as well. I just wanted to see if anyone had been through this situation before.
My boss was going to bring me on full-time if it prevented me from being deported, but I'm not sure the government will deem me "important enough" since I'm working in the hospitality industry in a job that most people do without a degree. She was going to speak with some local officials to see what it would take to get me to stay. I guess I'll just have to see where that conversations goes! I do feel lucky that she's looking out for me anyway.
Thanks for your message and for the advice!
Doubt that would work. Here’s the criteria for hiring non-EU nationals.
https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home…zulassung.html
Not sure how much might apply since you’re already here and have a permit, but usually they do have to make their case for why they can’t find a Swiss/EU national who could do the job.
I’m afraid it’s very unlikely that you’ll be able to stay, the question is more how long you can stay for. Normally your boyfriend would have had to sign to say he would be financially responsible for you and that’s normally held for the length of your permit. If you can stay until May, will you be able to find some way to live for that period?
Yes, I agree. I am highly doubtful that they will agree to it.
I just spoke with someone else who was in the same predicament, and it seems like once they are aware that you and your partner broke up, they give you three months, but you are able to keep working during that time.
I think even if I was able to support myself or he agreed to continue supporting me, if we aren't living together that goes against the permission of the permit and they take it away. So unfortunately, it looks like I'm going to be forced to go home.
Lots of European countries are much friendlier than CH to US workers. UK or Germany or even France. Have a look around.
I agree! I used to live in Spain and while bureaucracy there is a lot slower moving, it definitely gives you more options!
It’s a real pity that CH’s closeness to the EU raises barriers to third countries.
Hello I am currently in the same situation. May I ask what happened in your case? Are you back in the US?