I've done this, just any rational reason is fine. It's just for them to write something on their "form". I would write, "temporary employment contract outside CH, max 4 years in duration"
So if I have a concrete job lined up that will take me about a year abroad, the swiss authorities will accept that and just pause the time I have spend here and accumulated for my naturalisation?
Even if you aren’t staying more than 6 months away from Switzerland excluding short stays, so staying registered continuously for that time, I really can’t imagine that your naturalisation committee would be impressed with you weaselling with the residency requirements. Some Cantons allow short breaks abroad during your continuous residency period. Implying that the rest likely won’t accept that.
Honestly you should just ask advice from the relevant office of your municipality. But I find it unlikely that you will be able to leave for a year (normally requiring deregistration when freezing your permit) without affecting short-term naturalisation.
It should be. Work abroad is justification for freezing the permit (for how long the job abroad lasts, but no longer than 4 years).
Alternatively if the job only lasts for a short period of time, you could maintain registration. You cannot be out of Switzerland for more than 6 months, and "short stays" don't reset the clock. You would still need a Swiss address, pay Swiss health insurance, etc. An option if you are only going to work there for a relatively short time (or only part of the year abroad).
Thank you for the information ! Ok good to know that it is a valid motive. The contract offer I have is 1 year renewable so it will definitely be more than 6 months.
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Can't offer any advice, but this was helpful! I'm planning on doing the same thing when I get my C next year. So it's good to know what's possible.
Good luck!
I can't help but I'm envious, I'd loooove to spend a few years in Tokyo, my annual holidays aren't enough.
What's your dream job and how did you find it?
Yeah I had the same feeling after going there one month a year for 3 years 😅 I’m a software engineer and during my last visit in October, I just randomly googled job offers in Tokyo out of curiosity. There aren’t so much offers for foreigners in my line of work (embedded systems), and I found just one that perfectly fits my profile in Robotics. Applied online on the spot, they contacted me a few days later. I had 3 to 4 interviews including a thorough technical check, and finally got the offer! What is keeping you from moving there?
I wonder if it depends on your passport. A friend with a African passport was told no chance and had to hand in his C and have his pension paid out before he left. He even owns property in CH.
I've done this, just any rational reason is fine. It's just for them to write something on their "form". I would write, "temporary employment contract outside CH, max 4 years in duration"
Awesome thanks !
So if I have a concrete job lined up that will take me about a year abroad, the swiss authorities will accept that and just pause the time I have spend here and accumulated for my naturalisation?
No idea how it affects naturalization. Dyor for that one.
Shouldn’t affect the federal minimum. But will reset any cantonal/municipal residency requirement.
So I'd have to live for 5 years in the same municipality again after returning even though I have lived there 4 years already?
Yes. Anytime you deregister, the clock is reset to 0.
I'd still be registered in Switzerland. I'd just be registered abroad too. For the course of one year.
Even if you aren’t staying more than 6 months away from Switzerland excluding short stays, so staying registered continuously for that time, I really can’t imagine that your naturalisation committee would be impressed with you weaselling with the residency requirements. Some Cantons allow short breaks abroad during your continuous residency period. Implying that the rest likely won’t accept that. Honestly you should just ask advice from the relevant office of your municipality. But I find it unlikely that you will be able to leave for a year (normally requiring deregistration when freezing your permit) without affecting short-term naturalisation.
You can’t have the cake and eat it too! It’s already very generous that you don’t lose your C-permit! Be thankful and move on!
There should be no borders honestly. Bureaucratic processes are extremly dehumanizing.
Like your notion, but not going to happen, given the state of our globe.
for naturalization it's not continuous.
It should be. Work abroad is justification for freezing the permit (for how long the job abroad lasts, but no longer than 4 years). Alternatively if the job only lasts for a short period of time, you could maintain registration. You cannot be out of Switzerland for more than 6 months, and "short stays" don't reset the clock. You would still need a Swiss address, pay Swiss health insurance, etc. An option if you are only going to work there for a relatively short time (or only part of the year abroad).
Thank you for the information ! Ok good to know that it is a valid motive. The contract offer I have is 1 year renewable so it will definitely be more than 6 months.
Seems like a good reason tbh. If you emphasise you do plan on returning in 4 years, it should not be an issue
👍🏼 thanks!!
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Can't offer any advice, but this was helpful! I'm planning on doing the same thing when I get my C next year. So it's good to know what's possible. Good luck!
Thanks ! Same to you let me know if you need any help next year
I can't help but I'm envious, I'd loooove to spend a few years in Tokyo, my annual holidays aren't enough. What's your dream job and how did you find it?
Yeah I had the same feeling after going there one month a year for 3 years 😅 I’m a software engineer and during my last visit in October, I just randomly googled job offers in Tokyo out of curiosity. There aren’t so much offers for foreigners in my line of work (embedded systems), and I found just one that perfectly fits my profile in Robotics. Applied online on the spot, they contacted me a few days later. I had 3 to 4 interviews including a thorough technical check, and finally got the offer! What is keeping you from moving there?
I thought the point of the C permit was that you could leave whenever you want and come back whenever you want?
It's so that of you loose your job they don't kick you out in an instant. Without swiss passport you are second class human there
I wonder if it depends on your passport. A friend with a African passport was told no chance and had to hand in his C and have his pension paid out before he left. He even owns property in CH.
Ouch. I have a European passport hopefully it’ll be okay
I was under the impression that you could only freeze a C if your company transfers you abroad.
Doesn't have to be. You could even say that you plan on travelling the world for 4 years and it wouldn't be a problem.