Family reunification with a Swiss citizen

The foreign spouse and unmarried children under 18 of a Swiss national who live with the Swiss national are entitled to be granted a residence permit and to have their residence permit extended. 2 Foreign family members of Swiss nationals are entitled are entitled to be granted a residence permit and to have their residence permit extended if they are in the possession of a settlement permit from a country with which an agreement on the free movement of persons has been concluded. Family members are: a. the spouse and the relatives in the descending line who are under 21 or who are dependants; b. the relatives of either spouse in the ascending line who are dependants.

If you are a Swiss citizen You may bring the following family members to Switzerland: your spouse or registered partner; your unmarried children and grandchildren under the age of 18 (and even under the age of 21 or dependent if they have a residence permit from an EU/EFTA country); your dependent parents and grandparents if they have a residence permit from an EU/EFTA country (unless you are in education or training).

Art. 42 Family members of Swiss nationals

Your marriage or a registered partnership must be recognised by Switzerland. If you are part of a bi-national couple, you cannot bring your partner with you if you are not officially married.

a certificate from the country of origin proving your relationship; for dependants, a certificate from the authorities of the country of origin or provenance proving that they are dependent on you or were living with you;

The requirement of cohabitation in terms of Articles 42–44 does not apply if good cause is shown for living separately and the family household continues to exist.

To avoid being denied family reunification, you must have large enough accommodation (according to Swiss standards) to house the whole family. You must not depend on social assistance. If you are self-employed or unemployed, you must also provide proof of sufficient financial resources to support your family members.

Health insurance is compulsory and private in Switzerland. Don't forget to conclude a contract for each member of your family.

After a law-abiding and uninterrupted period of stay of five years, a foreign spouse is entitled to be granted a settlement permit if the integration criteria set out in Article 58 a are met. 70 4 Children under twelve are entitled to be granted a settlement permit.

The right to family reunification must be exercised within five years. Children over twelve must be reunified with their family within twelve months. 2 The foregoing time limits do not apply to family reunification in terms of Article 42 paragraph 2. 3 The time limits for family members of: a. Swiss nationals in accordance with Article 42 paragraph 1 begin on their entry or with the constitution of the family relationship;

After the dissolution of the marriage or of the family household, the spouses and the children have the right to be granted and have extended a residence permit under Articles 42, 43 or 44, a short stay permit under Article 45 in conjunction with Article 32 paragraph 3 or to be granted temporary admission under Article 85 c paragraph 1, provided: 81 a. 82 the marriage lasted at least three years and the integration criteria set out in Article 58 a are met; or b. important personal reasons make an extended residency in Switzerland necessary.

With the exception of your parents or grandparents, your family members have the right to work in Switzerland.