Explore Routes to Obtaining Residency in Switzerland

To apply for a Swiss national visa without gainful employment, following documents will have to be prepared:
Passport.

• Birth certificate.
• Marriage or divorce certificate, if applicable.
• Proof of sufficient financial means: This could be a bank certificate, the latest six months’ pension statements, or other documents verifying your ability to sustain living expenses in Switzerland.
• Medical coverage valid in Switzerland.
• Proof of accommodation in Switzerland.
• A worn affidavit confirming your financial solvency.
• Police certificate.
• Tax assessment.

All personal documents must be translated into one of the official languages accepted by the Swiss government (English, French, Italian, or German), legalized through appropriate channels with a trusted notary, and apostilled if your home country participates in the Hague Apostille Convention.

Inimex is fully equipped to assist with the legalization and translation of your documents, ensuring a seamless and professional immigration process.

The immigration process for retired applicants who would like to establish themselves in Switzerland, typically referred to as the retirement visa, involves several steps and requirements aimed at ensuring that retirees can financially support themselves without working and integrate well into Swiss society. Below is a general outline of the process:

Assess Eligibility: The first step is to determine eligibility based on age, financial stability, and personal ties to Switzerland. Applicants under this category must first be at least 55 years old. Therefore, we recommend conducting an initial consultation with us to evaluate these criteria and assess your suitability for the program.

Documentation: To ensure a successful application, you will need to compile several essential documents, including a valid passport, proof of financial means (e.g., bank statements or pension details sufficient to cover living expenses), proof of medical insurance valid in Switzerland, a police clearance certificate, and evidence of ties to Switzerland (e.g., records of previous visits, family connections, or cultural ties). Our team will provide you with a thorough list of documents tailored to your specific situation. We also guide you through each step of the process, including verification, translation, and legalization of your documents.

Accommodation: For your immigration application in Switzerland, you will have to present justification of an accommodation in the country. This can be demonstrated by owning property or having a long-term rental agreement. Having various collaborators in Switzerland, we offer assistance in this matter.

Visa D Application: Once your documents are fully prepared, Inimex will guide you through the application process for a Type D visa by preparing your application file and completing the necessary forms. Our aim is to ensure that all requirements are comprehensively met, facilitating a smooth application through the Swiss embassy or consulate in your home country.

Residence Permit: Upon your arrival in Switzerland with your Type D visa, you must apply for a residence permit at the cantonal migration office in the area where you plan to reside. This permit is usually granted under the “without gainful employment” category. Additionally, you need to register with the local residents’ registry office in your community. Inimex will assist you in preparing and submitting your application, ensuring it aligns with cantonal requirements.

Renewal and Permanent Residency: The first residence permit is issued with a validity of 1 year and can be renewed annually as long as you continue to meet the eligibility criteria under this program. After 10 years (or 5 years for EU/EFTA nationals), you may be eligible to apply for a C permit, which grants permanent residency.

Path to Citizenship: After 10 years of permanent residency (which includes the time spent under the temporary residence permit), you may apply for Swiss citizenship. Note that the total required residency period is 12 years if it includes time before obtaining permanent residency.

At Inimex, we adhere rigorously to the regulations set forth by Swiss authorities and deeply respect your privacy.

To ensure transparency in our processes, we provide details from the relevant immigration laws governing the status of foreign nationals residing in Switzerland without gainful employment. Below are the key legal provisions you can refer to for further details:
Loi fédérale sur les étrangers et l’intégration (LEI) – Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration, dated December 16, 2005, as updated on March 1, 2019.
142.20 Federal Act on Foreign Nationals (FNA), Chapter 5, Section 2, Article 28: Admittance of foreign nationals who are no longer gainfully employed may be granted if:
– They have reached a minimum age set by the Federal Council.
– They have special personal ties to Switzerland.
– They possess the required financial means.

To obtain Swiss citizenship, you must fulfill several requirements, including a residency period of 12 years. For children, each year living in Switzerland legally between the ages of 10 and 20 counts as two years towards this requirement. Additional criteria include:

• Cultural Integration: Demonstrate that you have successfully integrated into Swiss culture and customs.Language
• Proficiency: Present a language proficiency test in either German, French, or Italian.
• Security Clearance: You must pose no threat to the security of Switzerland.
• Financial Situation: You should have no outstanding tax debts with the Swiss authorities.

Upon acquiring Swiss nationality, you are not required to renounce your original nationality, allowing for the possibility of dual citizenship.

All documents should be in English, German, French, or Italian and must be officially translated by a certified translator if originally in another language. They also need to be certified in a method recognized by the Swiss government. At Inimex, we can assist you with professional advice and services regarding translation and certification to ensure your application meets all the required standards for processing.

• Acceptance Letter from the educational institution in Switzerland.
• Cover Letter explaining the reasons you want to study in Switzerland, your educational goals, and your plans post-study.
• CV.
• Academic Records.
• Language Test Certifications (if required by the program or institution).
• Evidence of financial means to cover living and studying expenses in Switzerland (bank certificates and statements).
• Medical Insurance.
• Proof of Accommodation in Switzerland.
• Passport.
• Birth Certificate.
• Return Ticket. While not always mandatory, it’s advisable to show that you have a return ticket or sufficient funds to purchase one.

The process for applying for a student visa (Type D visa) to study in Switzerland involves several steps and requires thorough documentation. Here’s a detailed overview of the application process:
Admission to a Swiss Educational Institution: First, secure admission to a recognized university or educational institution in Switzerland. You will need the admission letter for the visa application. Inimex can assist in selecting a suitable educational institution that aligns with your academic and career goals.
Documents: Our team will help gather your documents, handle translations, and assist with form-filling to ensure your application meets all necessary requirements efficiently.
Once you have all the required documents, submit your visa application to the Swiss embassy or consulate in your home country. Inimex will assist in scheduling your appointment and provide guidance on the submission process.
The processing time for a Swiss student visa can vary, typically taking between 6 to 12 weeks. It is advisable to apply well in advance of your planned departure date. Inimex will keep you informed about the status of your application and assist with any additional requirements or inquiries from the authorities.
Once your visa is approved, you will receive a notification to collect it from the embassy or consulate and will be able to travel to Switzerland.
Upon arrival in Switzerland, you must register with the local Residents’ Registration Office (Einwohnerkontrolle) within 14 days. You will need to present your visa, passport, proof of residence, and other required documents. Inimex can guide you through the registration process and help you settle into your new environment.
After registration, apply for a residence permit at the local cantonal migration office. This permit allows you to stay in Switzerland for the duration of your studies. You will need to provide similar documentation as for the visa application, along with proof of accommodation and financial means.
Inimex is dedicated to supporting you throughout the entire process, ensuring a smooth transition to your academic journey in Switzerland.

Family members of the foreign student:
Family members of an international student in Switzerland, specifically a spouse or registered partner and dependent children, can apply for a permit to stay or reside in Switzerland. This allows them to live in the country while the student pursues their education, provided they meet certain conditions set by Swiss immigration authorities.

Working while you are a student:
Foreign students in Switzerland are permitted to work up to 15 hours per week during the academic semester and can work full-time during semester breaks. However, it is mandatory for all employment activities to be reported to the responsible immigration authorities. This ensures compliance with the conditions of the student visa and helps maintain legal status within the country.
If you are a student from outside the EU/EFTA region studying in Switzerland, you are allowed to start working 6 months after the commencement of your studies. Before you can begin employment, your employer must submit a request to the relevant authorities to take up employment. This allows the authorities to conduct an employment check. Following a successful review, the immigration authorities will issue a work permit, enabling you to work legally in Switzerland.

Regulations:
At Inimex, we adhere strictly to the rules and regulations set forth by Swiss authorities, ensuring utmost respect for your privacy. For transparency, we provide details from the relevant immigration law concerning foreign nationals moving to Switzerland without gainful employment. Should you wish to delve deeper into the specifics, here are the pertinent legal references:
Loi fédérale sur les étrangers et l’intégration (LEI)1 du 16 décembre 2005 (Etat le 1er mars 2019)
142.20 Federal Act of 16 December 2005 on Foreign Nationals (FNA), Chapter 5, Section 2, Article 27:
Foreign nationals may be admitted for education or training purposes if:
– The management of the educational establishment confirms eligibility for education or training.
– Suitable accommodation is available.
– Required financial means are available.
– Personal and educational prerequisites for the planned education or training course are met.

Citizenship:
Residing in Switzerland as a student does not directly lead to Swiss citizenship. However, transitioning from student status to another long-term permit, such as one for gainful employment or family reunion, can set the groundwork for eventual citizenship application.

Marrying a Swiss citizen does not automatically grant citizenship to a foreign spouse. However, a foreign spouse can obtain Swiss citizenship by meeting specific residency and integration criteria.

If residing in Switzerland:

• Cohabitation: The couple must have lived together for at least 3 years.
• Residency: The applicant must have lived in Switzerland for a total of 5 years, including the 12 months immediately preceding the application.

If residing outside of Switzerland:

• Cohabitation: The couple must have lived together for at least 6 years during their marriage.

Additional Requirements:

• Cultural Integration: The applicant must demonstrate integration into Swiss culture and society.
• Respect for Legal Norms: The applicant respects the public order and the Federal Constitution.
• Language Proficiency: The applicant can understand and express themselves in one of the national languages sufficiently for everyday situations, such as at home, work, or other public places.
• Economic Participation: The applicant is actively involved in the economic life of the country or is acquiring education at an appropriate level.
• Family Integration Support: The applicant supports the integration of his family into Swiss society.
• Canton-Specific Requirements: The applicant must fulfill all other requirements specified by the canton in which they reside.

There are specific criteria for a child of Swiss descent to obtain citizenship, depending on their family situation and the citizenship status of their parents:

Citizenship for Children:

•  If one parent is a Swiss citizen and the parents are married at the time of the child’s birth, the child is automatically a Swiss citizen.
• If the birth mother is a Swiss citizen, the child automatically receives Swiss citizenship, regardless of the parents’ marital status.

Citizenship for Children of Unmarried Parents:

•  If the parents are not married and the father is a Swiss citizen, he must recognize the child legally before the child reaches the age of majority (18 years old) for the child to automatically acquire Swiss citizenship.

Additionally, Swiss citizenship can be claimed by ancestry under the following conditions:

Claim by Descent:

• You must have been born abroad with at least one Swiss parent.
• ou must be younger than 25 years old when applying for citizenship.

In all cases, demonstrating significant ties to Switzerland and integration into Swiss society and culture are crucial requirements. These include familiarity with Swiss customs, language proficiency, and engagement in the community. These factors are considered to ensure that those seeking citizenship have a genuine connection to the country.