Eligibility quiz
Are you married to, or in a registered partnership with, a Swiss citizen?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Switzerland
You can live in Switzerland with your Swiss family member for as long as your residence permit is valid.
Study in Switzerland
You can attend school, vocational training or study in Switzerland, under the usual rules of the school or institution.
Work in Switzerland
You can work in Switzerland for an employer or for yourself without a separate work permit.
Permanent residence under 12
Children under 12 are entitled to a settlement permit, which gives them permanent residence.
Spouses may qualify after five years of uninterrupted lawful residence if they have obeyed the law and meet the integration conditions.
Rent a home
You can rent housing in Switzerland.
Vote in elections
Depending on where you live and other conditions, you may be able to vote on cantonal or local matters.
Get financial support
If you need financial help, you may be able to receive social assistance.
Depending on it can put your permit at risk, but losing your permit is not automatic.
If you work, you enter the social insurance system; your employer generally arranges accident insurance if your work meets the required threshold.
How to apply
From outside SwitzerlandFrom outside Switzerland
Find your consulate
Find the Swiss consulate responsible for the place where you legally live. Ask whether you need a long-stay visa to join your spouse or registered partner in Switzerland.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Swiss consulate handles family reunification applications for someone living in your city?”
Download the application form
Get the national visa D application form for family reunification.
Download the formFill in the form
Complete, date and sign the form. Choose family reunion as the purpose and give your relationship, your Swiss spouse or partner’s details and your intended Swiss address.
Get form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Switzerland national visa D application form for family reunification?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate.
See required documentsBook an appointment
Book an appointment with the consulate if it requires one. Booking is free.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a Switzerland family reunification national visa appointment at the Swiss consulate serving your city?”
Hand in your application
Hand in your completed form and documents directly to the consulate, following its submission instructions. Give your fingerprints or attend an interview if the consulate asks you to.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Switzerland family reunification national visa application to the Swiss consulate serving your city?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the migration authority for your intended place of residence to decide. Respond if the consulate or the authority asks for more information or documents.
Ask about your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I ask about the status of a Switzerland family reunification application?”
Obtain your visa
If you need a long-stay visa, follow the consulate’s instructions to submit your passport and collect or receive the visa after approval. Pay any applicable visa fee as the consulate directs; spouses of Swiss citizens are generally exempt.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get my Switzerland family reunification national visa after approval at the Swiss consulate serving your city?”
Travel to Switzerland
Travel to Switzerland after approval. If you have a visa, enter while it is valid.
Find entry informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I enter Switzerland after my family reunification national visa is approved?”
Once in SwitzerlandOnce in Switzerland
Register and get your permit
Register at the residents’ registration office where you live and apply for or collect your residence permit as your canton instructs. The permit lets you live in Switzerland with your spouse or partner.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I register and obtain my Switzerland family reunification residence permit in your city?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Marriage or partnership certificate
Provide your marriage certificate or registered-partnership certificate or contract, with a certified or notarised copy as requested. If your relationship is already recorded in the Swiss civil-status register, you can provide the Swiss family certificate or partnership certificate instead. If it is not recorded, ask the civil-status office what documents you need to register it; your office may also ask for proof of registration.
Partner's identity document copy
Provide the requested copies of your Swiss spouse or registered partner's passport or identity document. Ask your office which pages it needs.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Renewal and family life
Ask your canton to renew your permit generally no earlier than 3 months and no later than 2 weeks before it expires.
You normally need to live with your Swiss family member and meet language, work or education, and other integration conditions.
After separation, you may stay after at least 3 years married and living together in Switzerland with successful integration, or for serious personal reasons.
Residence can be lost
Your permit can end if you leave Switzerland permanently or no longer meet the family conditions; separation does not automatically end it.
It can be taken away for false or hidden facts, a long prison sentence, serious or repeated public safety risks, or a broken condition.
Other grounds for withdrawal include dependence on social assistance, including by someone you support, misuse of citizenship applications or unjustified breach of an integration agreement.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Amecan -USA Canada Australia Europe Japan-Visitor & Student Visa Specialist
English Facebook group for people living in Switzerland interested in Swiss visas
Join on Facebook🇨🇭Expats in Switzerland ⭑ Living, Moving & Advice ✨
English Facebook group for people living in Switzerland interested in Swiss visas
Join on Facebookr/AnchorLessEurope
English Reddit group for people living in Europe interested in visas
Join on RedditConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
Adavia doesn't provide advice, but we're building a directory of professionals who do. If you'd like, we can notify you when help is available.
Updated