FDFA legitimation-card residence for official functions

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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What exactly is the official special programme/status and why does it exist?

The FDFA legitimation card: a residence permit certifying, where applicable, the holder's privileges and immunities and exempting them from the visa requirement while in office.

See recorded sources

https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/fdfa/foreign-policy/diplomatie/manual-for-embassies-and-consulates/residence-switzerland.html
The FDFA legitimation card is a residence permit certifying, where applicable, the holder's privileges and immunities, and exempting them from the visa requirement whilst in office.

Which specific population, role, circumstance or historical/legal situation does it cover?

Staff of institutional beneficiaries (embassies and consulates) accredited to Switzerland who are entitled to privileges and immunities, and their accompanying persons.

See recorded sources

https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/fdfa/foreign-policy/diplomatie/manual-for-embassies-and-consulates/residence-switzerland.html
Cards are issued by FDFA Protocol to staff of institutional beneficiaries (embassies and consulates) accredited to Switzerland who are entitled to privileges and immunities as well as their accompanying persons.

What circumstance, event, relationship, nomination, invitation or status activates access?

Status-based: persons called to act in an official capacity at a diplomatic mission or consular post, and individuals authorised to accompany them, including private household employees (Host State Act, HSA); FDFA Protocol sets the conditions.

See recorded sources

https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/fdfa/foreign-policy/diplomatie/manual-for-embassies-and-consulates/residence-switzerland.html
FDFA Protocol determines the conditions for granting and assigning the different types of legitimation card according to status: persons called to act in an official capacity at a diplomatic mission or consular post, and individuals authorised to accompany them, including private household employees ( Host State Act, HSA

What sponsor, authority, nomination, certification, evidence or other step must occur before the status can be obtained?

FDFA Protocol issues the card to entitled persons; staff of diplomatic and consular representations use an FDFA registration application form, and accompanying children must also be registered with FDFA Protocol.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

Registration channel (e.g. via the mission) not fully described.

https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/fdfa/foreign-policy/diplomatie/manual-for-embassies-and-consulates/residence-switzerland.html
If a person is entitled to a legitimation card, they will be issued one by FDFA Protocol.
https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/fdfa/foreign-policy/diplomatie/manual-for-embassies-and-consulates/residence-switzerland.html
FDFA registration application form for staff of diplomatic and consular representations
https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/fdfa/foreign-policy/diplomatie/manual-for-embassies-and-consulates/residence-switzerland.html
must also be registered with FDFA Protocol

What immigration status and rights result, how long do they last, can family be included, and what happens if the special qualifying circumstance ends?

Holders are exempt from registering with cantonal/communal residents' offices; accompanying children get cards only up to age 25, after which they must apply for an ordinary residence permit at least three months before their 25th birthday; the card does not entitle the holder to work; renewal is sent four weeks before expiry.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

What happens to the principal on end of function not stated beyond 'whilst in office'.

https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/fdfa/foreign-policy/diplomatie/manual-for-embassies-and-consulates/residence-switzerland.html
Although holders are exempt from the obligation to register with the cantonal/communal residents' register office (excluding honorary heads of post), they may register on a voluntary basis.
https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/fdfa/foreign-policy/diplomatie/manual-for-embassies-and-consulates/residence-switzerland.html
and are entitled to a legitimation card up to the age of 25 only. Consequently, those aged over 25 wishing to remain in Switzerland should apply for a residence permit to the migration or aliens registration office responsible for their place of residence at the latest three months before their 25th birthday in accordance with the Foreign Nationals and Integration Act (ordinary law)
https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/fdfa/foreign-policy/diplomatie/manual-for-embassies-and-consulates/residence-switzerland.html
An FDFA legitimation card does not entitle the holder to work, even as a volunteer.
https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/fdfa/foreign-policy/diplomatie/manual-for-embassies-and-consulates/residence-switzerland.html
The embassy should send cards requiring renewal four weeks prior to their expiry date to FDFA Protocol

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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FDFA legitimation-card residence for official functions

What exactly is the official special programme/status and why does it exist?

Which specific population, role, circumstance or historical/legal situation does it cover?

What circumstance, event, relationship, nomination, invitation or status activates access?

What sponsor, authority, nomination, certification, evidence or other step must occur before the status can be obtained?

What immigration status and rights result, how long do they last, can family be included, and what happens if the special qualifying circumstance ends?

Your story.Your next step.

Your story.
Your next step.