Ci permit for qualifying family of diplomatic or international-organisation staff

is intended for members of the families of intergovernmental organisations and for members of foreign representations. This concerns the spouses and children up to 25 years of age.

Children wishing to benefit from a Ci permit must have entered Switzerland and registered with FDFA Protocol for family reunification before the age of 21.

Special Ci permits allowing gainful employment may be issued to family members who fulfil the aforementioned criteria and reside in Switzerland with the main legitimation cardholder (the person exercising the official function).

If the person works in a region of Switzerland far away from the home of the principal beneficiary and cannot therefore commute every day, an exemption to the common household requirement may be given. In such cases, the person must notify the residents' registration office of the canton of residence (where the principal beneficiary resides) of their address during the week and provide a written declaration confirming that they return to the common household every weekend. Failure to comply with these conditions will result in the withdrawal of the Ci permit.

they are liable to Swiss income tax on gainful employment (generally taxed at source by employer); they are subject to Swiss social insurance (AVS/AI/APG/AC and LPP) and accident insurance in respect of the gainful employment; they are subject to compulsory Swiss health insurance (KVG/LAMal) under the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons if they are an EU/EFTA national and the main beneficiary is a member of the career staff of an EU/EFTA embassy or consulate. if they are nationals of the United Kingdom and if the principal beneficiary is a career staff member of a mission or a consulate of the United Kingdom, they are subject to compulsory Swiss health insurance (LAMal) in accordance with the provisions of the Convention on the coordination of social security between Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Ci permits provide access to the Swiss job market regardless of nationality or qualifications. Employment at an institutional beneficiary is not allowed, however.

To make it easier for family members to approach potential employers, FDFA Protocol can provide them with an attestation concerning the issuance of an authorisation for a residence permit with gainful employment (Ci permit). Upon presentation of an employment contract, job offer or a declaration of intention to work in a self-employed capacity including a description of the self-employed activity (including business plan), the person may request a Ci permit in exchange for their legitimation card from the resident's registration office of their canton of residence. A fee will be charged for the Ci permit. The person can start working as soon as they have submitted their application to the residents' registration office of their canton of residence.

A Ci permit is valid only in the canton which has issued it. However, Ci permits for EU/EFTA nationals are valid throughout Switzerland.

Ci permits are issued for the duration of the contract or self-employed activity up to a maximum of two years, provided that this does not exceed the duration of the official duties of the principal holder. Permit holders must contact the residents' registration office of their canton of residence to renew their Ci permit when it expires. A person may retain their Ci permit as long as the principal beneficiary remains in office. They may keep using it for as long as they are gainfully employed or, if they stop working, for as long as they are receiving unemployment benefits. The Ci permit becomes invalid once the main beneficiary is no longer entitled to a legitimation card.

Anyone over the age of 25 must regularise their residence and working conditions in accordance with the FNIA.