Family reunification

For employees with EU/EFTA nationality

If you hold citizenship from an EU or EFTA country, your close family members are entitled to join you in Switzerland. Eligible relatives include:

• Your spouse or registered partner
• Children under the age of 21
• Children over 21 if you can demonstrate sufficient financial support
• Parents and grandparents, provided you can support them financially

Family members may hold either EU/EFTA or non-EU passports. In some cases, non-EU citizens must obtain an entry visa before arrival, but their right to residence is generally guaranteed once approved. To process the application, official documents such as passports, marriage and birth certificates, and occasionally criminal record extracts are required. Some may need certified translations.

The residence permit granted to family members will normally match the validity of the primary applicant’s permit. Regardless of nationality, all family members have the right to work in Switzerland as soon as their residence is confirmed.

For employees with non-EU/EFTA nationality

If you come from a country outside the EU or EFTA, family reunification is possible under the condition that your family’s main place of living will be in Switzerland and that the accommodation is adequate for all members.

Eligible dependents include:

• Spouse
• Registered partner
• Unmarried children under 18 years old

Family members may be from any nationality, though most non-EU citizens must apply for an entry visa before arrival. The necessary documentation includes passports, marriage and birth certificates, and in certain cases, criminal record extracts and certified translations. The validity of residence permits for dependents is identical to that of the main applicant.

• If the main applicant holds a B permit, the spouse automatically receives the right to work in Switzerland.
• If the main applicant holds an L permit, the spouse’s future employer must apply for a separate work authorization.