Work permit in Basel?

MOHCTEP Contributor

Member since 22 January 2013

MOHCTEPContributor16 October 2017 19:36:14

100

Wife is EU citizen I am USA citizen.
My wife received a job offer in Basel. I would have to relocate with her to Switzerland. My concern is how long does the procedure of registering at a local canton in Basel takes for a spouse of EU citizen? How quickly will I be able to receive a work permit in Switzerland after registering?
Am I automatically entitled to residency and work permit because of my wife or Swiss law is different from EU law in this regard?
All experienced relevant to my situation would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.
Dmitri

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Victorfrance Serial expat

Member since 20 February 2012

VictorfranceSerial expat17 October 2017 00:06:47

654

As a EU citizen, your wife should normally get a working and residency permit only by proving she has found a job (i.e. Her new employer signs a simple form).

As you are married you should also receive a Residence permit as it is family reunion. If it is the same than in Geneva you can ask for both of your permits on the same form.

If you don't have a job yet, it is possible that they will grant you a residence permit without a working permit. Normally you can switch it to a proper working permit as soon as you find a new job.

So basically, no worries for your moving but it might be a good idea to give a call to Basel administration in order to ask them what would be the process in order for you to be able to work and not only live in Switzerland.

Regarding the processing time, it's usually 6 to 8 weeks in Geneva or Vaud. I can only guess it will be around the same in Basel.

As a EU citizen your spouse should be allowed to work for her new employer during the processing time, as soon as she sends back the paper work to the administation.

As you are a non EU citizen I don't know if it would be the same for you and that's something you might also want to ask to the administration.

PS: In case you're wondering, the differences of treatment between EU citizen and non EU citizen are the result of a special agreement between CH and the EU.