Applying for a residence permit without gainful activity

1. Overview

If you wish to settle in Geneva without engaging in any gainful activity (retirement, medical treatment or cure for example), the conditions for obtaining a residence permit are different according to your nationality.

Autres feuillets du livret

Your are an EU/EFTA national

You may reside in Switzerland without authorization as a recipient of service (e.g. tourist stay) for a maximum of 3 months over a period of 6 months.

For any stay of more than 3 months, you must apply for an authorization from the cantonal office for population and migration.

  • If you want to settle in Geneva without engaging in any gainful activity
Apply for an EU/EFTA permit without activity
  • If you want to move to Geneva to look for a job
Apply for an EU/EFTA permit for job searching
  • If you come to Geneva for medical treatment or cure, specific criteria apply.
Apply for an EU/EFTA medical treatment permit

You are a third-country national

You will need an authorization for any stay longer than 90 days.

The procedures to obtain your permit must in principle be carried out before you enter Switzerland from your place of residence abroad.

Persons subject to visa requirement must also take the necessary steps to obtain a visa from the competent Swiss representation in their place of residence.

If you are in possession of a long-stay visa or a valid residence permit issued by a Schengen State, you do not need to apply for a visa.

  • If you wish to settle in Geneva without engaging in gainful activity (annuitant)
Apply for a permit without activity for third-country national
  • If you come to Geneva for medical treatment or cure, specific criteria apply
Apply for a permit for medical treatment for third-country national
  • If you wish to settle in Geneva as a derogation from the conditions of admission
Apply for a permit for serious personal hardship

Legal bases

2. EU/EFTA permit without activity

For whom

If you are an EU/EFTA national and wish to live in Switzerland for a long time without gainful employment, you have a right of residence if you and your family members have:

Terms

* Your financial resources can come from:

  • an annuity
  • a personal fortune
  • an activity carried out by telework on behalf of an employer abroad which has no impact and no link with the Swiss labor market
  • a person (domiciled in Switzerland) who acts as a financial guarantor

In principle, the financial means are deemed sufficient if they exceed the amount which would entitle a Swiss national, and possibly his family members, to receive assistance following the request of the person concerned and taking into account their personal situation. For those entitled to a pension, the financial means shall be deemed sufficient if the exceed the amount entitling a Swiss national who so requests, and possibly their familly members, to supplementary benefits due to old-age, survivors and invalidity insurance.

Non-active persons may benefit from family reunification under the above conditions.

You must have a personal e-démarches account to be able to file your application online.

Attachments

  • form M - only for postal mail requests
  • colour copy of a valid I.D.
  • copy of the lease or attestation of the landlord established with form AL (with copy of the main lease and I.D. of the landlords and the sub-tenant)
  • evidence of sufficient financial resources
  • form O - in case of care by a third person residing in Switzerland

If you wish to settle with your family, add:

  • form M for each family member involved - only for postal mail requests
  • copy of the marriage certificate for spouses (with official translation if necessary)
  • copy of the birth certificate for children (with official translation if necessary)
  • proof of parental authority or EM form if the children come with only one parent

Price

For online applications, payment is made online as well.

For applications sent by post, payment is made by invoice.

See our Taxes and fees table

Processing times

Processing times can be consulted on this page: Délais de traitement moyens des demandes déposées à l'OCPM | ge.ch

Help to fill in the online form

See our fact sheet: Practical help to announce your arrival in Geneva online or to apply for a residence permit with or without activity at the OCPM | ge.ch

Apply for a permit without gainful activity

Your application can be done either online or by postal mail.

3. EU/EFTA permit for job searching

For whom

If you are an EU/EFTA national and wish to stay in Switzerland in search of a job, you do not need an authorization if your stay does not exceed three months. For any stay of more than three months, you must request an authorization.

What

You can apply for a short-term residence permit (L permit). This permit is valid for 12 months (364 days).

Terms

You must have:

* In principle, the financial means are deemed sufficient if they exceed the amount which would entitle a Swiss national, and possibly their family members, to receive assistance following the request of the person concerned and taking into account his personal situation. For those entitled to a pension, the financial means shall be deemed sufficient if they exceed the amount entitling a Swiss national who so requests, and possibly his family members, to supplementary benefits due to old-age, survivors and invalidity insurance.

You must have a personal e-démarches account to be able to file your application online.

Attachments

  • form M - only for postal mail requests
  • colour copy of a valid I.D.
  • copy of the lease or attestation of the landlord established with form AL (with copy of the main lease and I.D. of the landlord and the sub-tenant)
  • evidence of sufficient financial resources

Price

For online applications, payment is made online as well.

For applications sent by post, payment is made by invoice.

See our Taxes and fees table

Processing times

Processing times can be consulted on this page: Délais de traitement moyens des demandes déposées à l'OCPM | ge.ch

Help to fill in the online form

See our fact sheet: Practical help to announce your arrival in Geneva online or to apply for a residence permit with or without activity at the OCPM | ge.ch

Apply for a job search permit

Your application can be done either online or by postal mail.

4. EU/EFTA medical treatment permit

For whom

If you are an EU/EFTA national, you do not need a residence permit if your medical treatment or cure lasts less than 3 months. Beyond this period of 3 months, you must apply for a residence permit. The permit is in principle valid for the duration of the treatment.

Terms

  • Have sufficient financial means to guarantee the financing of the medical treatment.

In principle, the financial means are deemed sufficient if they exceed the amount which would entitle a Swiss national, and possibly their family members, to receive assistance following the request of the person concerned and taking into account his personal situation. For those entitled to a pension, the financial means shall be deemed sufficient if they exceed the amount entitling a Swiss national who so requests, and possibly his family members, to supplementary benefits due to old-age, survivors and invalidity insurance.

According to article 2, paragraph 1, letter b of the Ordinance of 27 June 1995 on health insurance (OAMal), foreign persons who stay in Switzerland for the sole purpose of medical treatment or cure are not entitled to subscribe to compulsory health insurance (ATF 9C_217/2007 of 08.04.2008). EU/EFTA nationals must obtain prior authorization from their health insurance company to ensure that the care provided in Switzerland is covered by the latter.

You must have a personal e-démarches account to be able to file your application online.

Attachments

  • form M - only for postal mail requests
  • colour copy of a valid I.D.
  • evidence of sufficient financial resources or proof of assumption of responsability (form O) by a Swiss guarantor or holder of a B or C permit
  • certificate form the hospital or nursing home (medical certificate) or medical report drawn up in accordance with the following model.

Price

For online applications, payment is made online as well.

For applications sent by post, payment is made by invoice.

See our Taxes and fees table

Processing times

Processing times can be consulted on this page: Délais de traitement moyens des demandes déposées à l'OCPM | ge.ch

Help to fill in the online form

See our fact sheet: Practical help to announce your arrival in Geneva online or to apply for a residence permit with or without activity at the OCPM | ge.ch

Apply for an EU/EFTA medical treatment permit

Your application can be done either online or by postal mail.

5. Permit without activity for third-country national

For whom

If you are a third-country national (outside the EU/EFTA) and wish to live in Switzerland for a long time without gainful employment, a permit may be obtained if you meet a number of specific conditions.

When

Your application for permission to enter and stay must be submitted before you enter Switzerland.

How

Your request can be made:

  • to the Swiss representation of your place of residence abroad, which will inform you about the documents to be produced, or
  • through our online form

If your application is approved, you will receive an entry visa to be collected from the Swiss representation competent for your place of residence as well as an additional form to be sent to us by post within 14 days of your arrival.

If you are in possession of a long-stay visa or a valid residence permit issued by a Schengen State, you do not need to apply for a visa.

Terms

It is possible to obtain a permit as an annuitant under the following conditions:

  • have sufficient financial resources to meet your needs
  • have the minimum age set by the Federal Council (55 years)
  • justify special personal ties to Switzerland
  • commit not to engage in any gainful activity in Switzerland or abroad (with the exception of the management of your own wealth)

An annuitant is deemed to have necessary financial means if they are certain to benefit from them until their death (annuities, fortune), to the point that one can practically exclude the risk that they might come to depend on public assistance.

You must have a personal e-démarches account to be able to file your application online.

Attachments

  • form M - only for postal mail requests
  • colour copy of a valid passport
  • 1 passport-sized photo with full names on the back
  • supporting documents for the financial resources
  • if already available: copy of the lease or attestation of the landlord established with form AL (with copy of the main lease and I.D. of the landlord and the sub-tenant)
  • a letter of motivation and a formal commitment not to engage in gainful activity in Switzerland or abroad except for the management of one's own wealth

Price

For online applications, payment is made online as well.

For applications sent by post, payment is made by invoice.

See our Taxes and fees table

Processing times

Processing times can be consulted on this page: Délais de traitement moyens des demandes déposées à l'OCPM | ge.ch

Help to fill in the online form

See our fact sheet: Practical help to announce your arrival in Geneva online or to apply for a residence permit with or without activity at the OCPM | ge.ch

Apply for a permit without activity for a third-country national

Your application can be made online or through the Swiss representation of your place of residence abroad.

6. Permit for medical treatment for third-country national

For whom

If you are a third-country national, you may undergo medical treatment in Switzerland provided that the financing of your treatment and your departure from Switzerland are guaranteed.

When

Your application for authorization to enter and stay must be submitted before your entry into Switzerland to the competent Swiss representation of your place of residence abroad.

Terms

  • Have sufficient financial means to guarantee the financing of medical treatment
  • Commit to leave Switzerland at the end of medical treatment

According to article 2, paragraph 1, letter b of the Ordinance of 27 June 1995 on health insurance (OAMal), foreign persons who stay in Switzerland for the sole purpose of medical treatment or cure are not entitled to subscribe to compulsory health insurance (ATF 9C_217/2007 of 08.04.2008). Accordingly, the person providing the guarantee will have to bear the medical expenses of the foreign person whose purpose of stay in Switzerland is to seek medical treatment.

In principle, the financial means are deemed sufficient if they exceed the amount which would entitle a Swiss national, and possibly their family members, to receive assistance following the request of the person concerned and taking into account his personal situation. For those entitled to a pension, the financial means shall be deemed sufficient if they exceed the amount entitling a Swiss national who so requests, and possibly his family members, to supplementary benefits due to old-age, survivors and invalidity insurance.

You must have a personal e-démarches account to be able to file your application online.

Attachments

  • form M - only for postal mail requests
  • colour copy of a valid passport
  • 1 passport-sized photo with full names on the back
  • evidence of sufficient financial resources or proof of assumption of responsability (form O) by a Swiss guarantor or holder of a B or C permit
  • certificate from the hospital or nursing home (medical certificate) or medical report in the following format
  • a written commitment to leave Switzerland at the end of the treatment

Price

For online applications, payment is made online as well.

For applications sent by post, payment is made by invoice.

See our Taxes and fees table

Processing times

Processing times can be consulted on this page: Délais de traitement moyens des demandes déposées à l'OCPM | ge.ch

Help to fill in the online form

See our fact sheet: Practical help to announce your arrival in Geneva online or to apply for a residence permit with or without activity at the OCPM | ge.ch

Apply for a medical treatment permit

If your are abroad, the application must be filed with the Swiss representation competent for your place of residence.

If for health reasons you have to apply from Switzerland, you can apply online or by postal mail.