Family reunion
In order for your family to be able to live with you in Switzerland, you must submit an application for family reunification.
The application will be examined by the authorities. It depends on your own residence status.
With the C permit, family reunification is possible.
In the case of a B permit , you are not necessarily entitled to family reunification. Depending on the circumstances, the authorities may still grant family reunification.
Asylum seekers cannot apply for family reunification. In the case of an F permit, you are not necessarily entitled to family reunification. Depending on the circumstances, the authorities may still grant family reunification.
Regardless of the type of residence permit you have, you can have these family members join you:
- Spouse
- registered partner
- Children under the age of 21
- Relatives in the descending line, such as children over the age of 21 or grandchildren, provided that you are responsible for their living expenses.
- Relatives of yours or of your spouse or husband in the ascending line, such as parents or grandparents, provided that you are responsible for their living expenses.
If you are in vocational training or school in Switzerland, your spouse and dependent children may join you in Switzerland. If you live in Konkubinat , your partner will not receive a residence permit as part of family reunification.
Application forms and leaflets
Important for family reunification:
- Application for family reunification (form A2)
- Application for a Foreigner's Permit (Form A1)
- Leaflet on family reunification EU/EFTA
- Leaflet Integration Agreement on Family Reunification
You can have these family members join you in Switzerland:
- Your spouse
- Your registered partner
- Your children under the age of 18.
If you want to have your whole family join you, you need to have a large enough apartment so that you can live there as a family.
You must be able to prove that you have a job with enough income for the whole family. If you are self-employed or unemployed, you will need to provide proof that you have enough financial resources to support your family.
Under these conditions, you can submit an application for family reunification to the Einwohneramt in your place of residence.
If the application is approved, the members of your family will receive a residence permit. It's usually the same one you already have yourself.
Application forms and leaflets
Important for family reunification:
- Application for family reunification (form A2)
- Application for a Foreigner's Permit (Form A1)
- Leaflet on family reunification
- Leaflet on family reunification
- Leaflet Integration Agreement on Family Reunification
By signing an integration agreement, your family members undertake to attend a language course for German (does not apply to relatives of Swiss citizens or EU/EFTA nationals).
The adults are allowed to work in Switzerland. This does not apply to parents and grandparents.
All your children attend compulsory school here. This is free of charge and must be attended at least until the age of 16.
It is possible that your family members will not receive a visa at the Swiss embassy abroad until you fill out a declaration of commitment.
This shows whether you have sufficient financial resources for the stay of the family members. You must complete and submit the declaration of commitment to the municipality of residence. Your solvency will be checked there.
The canton informs the Swiss embassy abroad of the results of this examination. Then the embassy will decide whether to issue a visa for your family.
Contact points
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