Switzerland family reunification visa

For family reunification with a B, C or F permit holder, the spouse needs spoken A1 in the national language at the place of residence, or enrolment in a course leading to it. The certificate is not submitted with the visa application; it must be given to the cantonal immigration authority within one year of entry, and serious health reasons can justify an exemption.

For family of B or C permit holders the law requires that you live together, suitable housing is available, the family does not depend on social assistance and the sponsor does not receive, or would not become entitled to, annual supplementary benefits. Spouses must be able to communicate in the local national language; registering for a language course leading at least to A1 is enough for the first permit, and spoken A1 is required to renew it. Children under 18 are exempt from the language condition. Family of Swiss citizens only need to live with them.

Bring a recent marriage certificate (in international format where your country issues one), a civil status extract showing all family entries, and a criminal record certificate, each with a translation into German, French or Italian by a sworn translator. Add copies of the family member's passport or ID and Swiss residence permit.

Family reunification applications are lodged in person and complete at the Swiss representation responsible for your place of residence. The file goes to the cantonal immigration office; after approval the representation issues the visa on the "Authorization for Visa Issue". If you married abroad, check whether the marriage must be registered through the Swiss representation (mandatory for Swiss citizens).

National visa files go to the competent cantonal authority in Switzerland, and the representation can only issue the visa after that authority approves. The total processing time is about 8–12 weeks and varies considerably by canton; questions while the file is pending go to the cantonal migration authority for the future place of residence.

The national visa fee is set and collected by the Swiss representation where you apply. Cantonal permit fees in Switzerland are separate.

Family reunification must be requested within five years, and children over 12 must be brought within 12 months. For family of foreign nationals the period starts when the sponsor’s permit is granted or when the family relationship arises; for family of Swiss citizens, on the sponsor’s entry or the start of the relationship. Later applications are only approved for important family reasons, that is when the child’s welfare can only be protected by moving to Switzerland; children over 14 may be heard, usually at the Swiss representation.

Register with the residence authority of your place of residence within 14 days of entering Switzerland; employees may only start work after registering. The canton then issues the residence permit card.

Spouses and children of Swiss citizens and of B or C holders may take up employed or self-employed work anywhere in Switzerland. After five years of regular and uninterrupted residence, spouses of Swiss citizens and of C holders are entitled to a C permit if they meet the integration criteria, and their children under 12 are entitled to a C permit straight away. Family of provisionally admitted persons (F) apply through the cantonal migration authority, which forwards the request to SEM.

If the cantonal authority refuses the permit, its decision explains the legal remedies available under cantonal and federal law; questions during the procedure go to the cantonal authority.