Switzerland is the most attractive country to live in of all European countries. There are a lot of people who want to get a residence permit in it. To be able to obtain the status of a permanent resident and citizenship of Switzerland under the Federal Law adopted in 1952, you need to live here for 12 years and prove a high degree of assimilation into Swiss society.
This is one of the highest terms in the world after which you can become a Swiss citizen. Having lived in the country for 10 years in the status of a residence permit, it will be necessary to confirm that there are very good legal grounds for further life in the country.
Numerous state structures deal with granting the right of residence: the Federal Service for Immigration, Integration and Emigration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Justice and Police, the Department for Foreign Citizens.
Residence permit in Switzerland
The category of a residence permit largely depends on the purposes for which a citizen of another country comes to Switzerland. Residence permit in Switzerland is divided into two categories:
Category B is a residence permit up to 1 year, the grounds for which are temporary or permanent work, as well as business in Switzerland. Such a residence permit must be renewed every year. For students, one year with a residence permit counts as two. Often, graduates by the time they graduate from the university already have a term sufficient for categories B or C.
Category C – issued after 10 years of continuous residence in the country. This is an unlimited residence permit that no longer requires regular renewal and grants all the rights of a Swiss permanent resident. In an expedited manner, a residence permit and permanent residence in Switzerland can be obtained by large investors and businessmen, members of reunited families.
A very good way to quickly obtain a residence permit is the conclusion of the so-called “tax agreement” (Fiscal Deal), which is concluded with the cantonal authorities. Under this agreement, the status applicant undertakes to pay a fixed amount of tax deductions, which depends on his expenses for living in the country.
The procedure for obtaining a residence permit is determined by the regulations of the canton in which the immigrant intends to live and work. Persons who want to obtain a residence permit in Switzerland must apply to the relevant authorities in their place of residence. If the place of residence changes, the local offices of the cantons and communes must be informed. In case of departure, it is necessary to register the departure.
Permanent residence in Switzerland
Becoming a Swiss citizen is actually very difficult. It is necessary to stay in the country for 10 years in the status of a residence permit and then 2 years for permanent residence. During this time, the situation may change and the authorities may consider insufficient grounds for further stay. Even if all the requirements are met, there is no 100% guarantee of obtaining permanent residence in Switzerland.
To obtain resident status, you must meet certain standards:
- 12 years of legal continuous residence;
- willingness to fulfill all the obligations that Swiss citizenship imposes (taxes and social payments, military service, etc.) ;
- respect for the laws of the Swiss Confederation and their implementation;
- knowledge of one of the four official languages of Switzerland: German, French, Italian, Romansh.
The decision to grant citizenship is made at the local level of the canton after consideration of the application by the Naturalization Service and the Federal Migration Office. The procedure is very meticulous and lengthy, on average it takes 2-3 years.
