I have a very simple question that I could not figure out because of different information on the internet. I will be applying for my permit renewal in September and my current permit's expiring date is October 31st. While my new permit submission is in progress, can I use my old permit to exit and return back to Switzerland until October 31st without asking for "re-entry visa"?
Thank you,
Yekta MIZRAKLI
Yes, the permit is still valid. However do be aware that you’ll probably need to give biometric info - don’t know if they do that for every renewal or just use the the same info from before - so not really a good idea to be away while the process is ongoing.
Your permit remains valid until its expiration date, but depending on your canton they might require that you turn in your permit when applying for renewal. If that's the case just make sure you tell them you need to keep your current permit and why (I have to explain each time that I travel a lot and need to have the permit with me).
After the expiry date you need a re-entry visa in principle. In practice, I've never gotten one, and I think they are a bit arcane now that permits gave a chip, at least for nationals of countries who don't need a visa to enter Schengen. I always make sure I get migration to make me a photocopy stamped "en cours de renouvellement" (pending renewal) with their seal, just in case, and after expiry I always travel with both the (expired) permit and the stamped photocopy. I've never had any problems re-entering Schengen with that, either at the Swiss border control or via another country. They can still scan the card after its expiration and see all your immigration info in the system including that you have a pending application for renewal and are still registered legally as a resident of Switzerland. I probably wouldn't take that risk if I was from a country that needs a visa tonenter Schengen even as a tourist.