There’s no way around family reunification if you want to move here and work here. BUT there is more than one way to go about the process. The most practical (IMO), is to get married in the USA and start the paperwork there.
That’s what we did. My now-husband (Swiss) contacted both the municipality in Switzerland where he was living, as well as the relevant nearby consulate and asked what documentation they would need and when. Some things have to be fairly recent - for example you’ll need a certified copy of your birth certificate that’s been issued not more than 6 months ago. We got married in the USA (he came in as a tourist) and we filed the paperwork at whatever consulate it was there. They sent the paperwork to Switzerland, but the municipality was already notified so they were watching for it and sort of shepherded it through.
This is years ago, but I came to CH as a tourist, knowing full well that I might have to go back to the States to get more paperwork if everything wasn’t sorted on this side within 90 days (Americans can only be here 90 days as a tourist). However, we didn’t need anything else and I didn’t have to go back. Again, I am not sure one can get away with this now. And I wasn’t working, remotely or otherwise.
As Oakbrook says, we have heard of other people who were allowed to go to a neighboring country (Germany, France) to get the visa stamped. I never even needed the visa. But I wouldn’t dare to suggest anyone try that approach in today’s world!!
I thank you all. I have reached out to the cantonal immigration authority and the SEM just to ask for a tiny bit of clarification but I am pretty sure what everyone has said here is pretty much correct.
I will update if I learn anything new but otherwise thanks for all the advice everyone
Haha for sure. I just got a correspondence from the cantonal immigration office.
They confirm that it is possible to receive a national type-D visa to be able to get married, and that we could then do the paperwork for residency while in the country! Which is amazing! It also sounds like they are willing or at least able to be somewhat flexible when it comes to the housing!
Bonjour,
Les citoyens américain qui souhaitent venir en Suisse et s’y établir en vue d’un mariage doivent déposer une demande de VISA D auprès de l’ambassade Suisse la plus proche de leur résidence.
La demande de VISA D pour un séjour en vue de mariage sera alors enregistrée par l’ambassade et transmise à notre service juridique qui analysera le dossier.
Lors de l’analyse, les documents à fournir vous seront annoncés par l’ambassade.
Le juriste qui aura validé votre demande délivrera une autorisation d’entrée qui vous permettra de venir en Suisse avec un VISA de + 90 jours, en vue de mariage.
Lors de votre arrivée en Suisse, vous devrez alors vous présenter auprès de la commune de domicile afin d’y annoncer votre venue et déposer une demande pour un permis de séjour et également la demande pour la préparation du mariage auprès de l’office de l’état civil.
Ceci est la procédure légale.
Concernant le logement, c’est une analyse qui sera faite par le juriste. Nous vous mettrons en contact avec la personne concernée dès lors que nous recevrons les documents.
Nous restons à votre disposition pour toute autre demande si nécessaire.
Avec nos meilleures salutations.
I also contacted the SEM and I am waiting for a reply from them as well.