So my girlfriend and I's visa's came back recently and the validity date unfortunately starts September 6th so I have a bit more time left than I originally thought. I may fly into Zurich a little before the 6th to give myself extra time to find a place but I still haven't decided yet.
Not sure that would be a good idea. Obviously if you were just coming for a visit and didn’t need a visa it would be okay, but as you’re planning a long term move it might confuse things at the border if you arrive earlier than your visa allows.
Jesamine - I know you suggested US Post but I don't know if they'd be able to keep my boxes in some sort of storage to be delivered when I find a place. But now that I think of it, how long roughly did it take for your boxes to arrive? I could theoretically keep the boxes here and have family members send them to me when I have moved in to my new apartment, although I wonder if they would let me ship a 42" TV.
I took a look through my (tiny) apartment and the main things I'll be sending are books, kitchen ware like pans, pots, etc, my 42" HDTV (this isn't 100% non-negotiable but I'd like to bring it if its not a major hassle), and a few other personal effects. So overall there's really not too much stuff.
So any recommendations on door-to-storage-to-door movers would be appreciated! This is currently the most pressing thing that I want to get sorted out but it's been hard to find reputable companies. I've looked at www.internationalmoving.com and www.xsbaggage.com but I can't find any reviews/feedback on them.
We booked our tickets and we will be arriving on the 6th of September so we will avoid any sort of misunderstanding/problems that may have come up. I figured it wouldn't be worth the risk and if landlords need both signatures on the lease then I may as well wait until we can both enter the country.
I just wish the dates were a bit nicer as having to get a temporary place until October 1st (or even November 1st if I'm unlucky enough) won't be an ideal situation..
I'd use UPS on this one thing. They do special packing on these things. Wouldn't trust the USPS at all. Also, wrap the crap out of anything you value. Sometimes, it gets tossed around before it makes it to Switzerland.
This the big problem in the US. There are so many scams out there. All of the legit places we finally uncovered in our searches wanted to charge about 3X what it would have cost to replace our items. Beware if you go with anyone you can't find reviews on and stay away from anyone who doesn't give you an estimate in person.
Good luck!
I think you might to better to get your family to send stuff over to you once you’re settled permanently if you have so little to send. If you’re temp renting a furnished place it may well have the basics (cutlery, pans, etc) and you could easily top that up at a local store. Then once you do have a permanent place get them to send the stuff over economy USPS and you’ll get it in a few weeks. It’ll also save having to “move” it all again.
Forget the TV, it probably won’t be worth it. Store it with the family or sell it and get a new one here.
As you're preparing for the move, take a look at the threads here on "what to bring". The search box is in the upper right corner of your screen. This may help you decide what's important to bring and what is better left behind - particularly electronic devices that run on 110V. I assume as a student you're footing the entire bill yourself? If so then be brutally honest with what you need and you'll save a fair amount of dough.
Kind Regards,
Welcome to the forum Gmax, but please don’t post the same query in different parts of the forum.
First understand that there is no automatic right for non-EU nationals to bring their dependents here, it’s down to the individual canton to decide and it’s on a case by case basis.
https://www.ch.ch/en/family-reunification/
Whether you will get a dependent’s permit or not will depend on whether your wife has accommodation here big enough for both of you and that she has the financial means to support you both.
I don’t know if you’d be allowed to work with a student dependent permit, you/your wife would need to check that with the cantonal migration office.
If you get permission to join her you can stay here for as long as she does.
Thanks for information. Normally How is the student lifestyle in Luzern, compared to New Zealand or Canada. Studying, finding job (part time or full time) livening cost, traveling, ect.
Sorry, I can’t help with that Gmax. I’m far too old to be a student here or anywhere else.
It depends on where you’ve lived in those other countries. If big cities, then you’ll find Lucerne small and probably a lot quieter than you’re used to. And without speaking a Swiss language (German for that part of the country) finding a job will be difficult even if you have permission to work here. As a student your wife will be limited to a maximum of 15 hours a week that she could work during school time. Public transport is excellent.
There are plenty of threads here on the forum regarding living costs.
We decided to go with USPS and have packed everything up, and left them with my parents to send once we get a permanent place.
For now, we'll be staying in an Airbnb place right near ETH Zurich until October 1 which is very convenient! I'm hoping 25 days is enough time. Our maximum budget is CHF2600/month so that's hopefully enough to make our lives easier. I've been scouring Homegate for a month or two and have 35 potential apartments that I'm keeping an eye on and will give the people a call once I land and get a prepaid phone. I've already got one viewing set up from email for next week so I'm pretty excited about that! Is there anything I should keep in mind/make sure to ask while going to these viewings?
I've compiled 20 copies of our application file, which includes:
-Passport
-Proof we applied for residence permit/Meldebestatigung (will get this the day we arrive)
-ETH Zurich matriculation documents
-Latest bank statement
-Guarantor letter from girlfriend's mother
-Last rental contract
-5 recommendations (between both me and my girlfriend)
-Recommendation from previous landlord
-Passport sized photograph
-Cover letter (which also mentions that we are aware of the debt extract letter but cannot obtain one since we haven't been in CH long enough)
Am I missing anything? Seems like that should be more than enough. Also, will I receive my Auslanderausweis as soon as I register or will that come in the mail later on? I know the residence permit comes later but I'm not sure about this.
Thanks to all of you again for all of your help, it's made this whole transition so much less stressful than it could have been. I'm hoping I can contribute a bit more to the forum once I'm settled in Zurich.
Good move. Once the packages are on their way, you can sign up for tracking at both ends: the USPS and Swiss Post. Set up an account with Swiss Post (online) and then you will know exactly when your package will arrive. Keep cash on hand during that process. Even if your boxes are marked clearly, "Household Move", you may still have to pay customs charges to the mailman when he brings the package. Don't fret about that. Keep that slip with the charges on it. Send an email to the address on the slip with a scanned copy of that slip attached. Give a quick explanation of your situation, saying these are your personal items, shipped for a household move. I was reimbursed for every single charge - to the tune of about 1400 CHF. They will do this with a direct deposit into your Swiss bank account, which of course, you can't set up until you have your residence permit and address. But again, no worries. It's just a process.
First of all, that is fantastic that you already have a viewing set up. I found that once I crossed a certain threshold of rent, that I was given private showings far more often, and when the viewing was not private, the showings only had 3 or 4 people. Here's what I would keep in mind. 1). Take your time and really get a feel for the place. If you want peace and quiet, make sure you don't face a busy street. Are there children living above you? That kind of thing. 2) What is your laundry schedule or house rules? This kind of gives you an idea of what the vibe of the building is. In our place, we have no rules - but everyone has a respectful internal compass on that kind of thing, so we don't need them. We can listen to our music with the windows open or do laundry whenever we want. 3) Despite how it feels, given your budget, you have some time, so take that time to get to know the area. Walk around the neighborhoods where you are looking to live. Not doing that was the mistake I made with my first place. I was so fearful after receiving advice from negative people that I just took the first place that offered. The day after I signed the contract, I received 4 more offers. I would have made a different choice for sure. When I started looking for my second place, I followed the guidelines that I am sharing with you and I landed exactly what I wanted in 2 days. 4) Be yourself. You come across quite thoughtful online, and couple that with your well-planned package, you will stand out.
Perfect! Bring that with you, even if you already sent one. If there is an official application online for the place - either on Homegate, etc or at the website of the listing agency, print and fill it out, and bring it along.
Indeed it is. That is point! You aren't missing a thing.
I think the Auslanderausweis is your residence permit, which you receive later, after you have been biometrically processed. Here's the way it works in general: once you arrive, within 10 days you go to our local Gemeinde/Kreisboro office with the documentation you received with your Visa. They process you (bring 200 CHF to that - it costs less, but I can't remember how much) and give you another form with an appointment for your biometrics, etc at the Migration Office on Berninastrasse. When you get to the Migration Office, go to the right and take a number from that area. I received my residence permit a week later and so did my husband when we processed him.
When you go to your Gemeinde (the one for the address of your AirBnb), let them know what's going on and they can guide you on how to proceed. If you are looking to get a place in the same district, then I don't think you will have an issue. Not sure on that because your place is only temporary. My colleague was guided by the Gemeinde, so you'll get the same.
again, best of luck! Safe travels...