Announcing my arrival at the OCPM

1. Overview

Anyone wishing to settle in Geneva must inform the Cantonal Office for Population and Migration within 14 days of their arrival. The procedure for announcing arrival differs depending wether:

Autres feuillets du livret

  • You are a national of an EU/EFTA Member State
Application for a residence permit for EU/EFTA national
  • You are a third-country national (outside the EU/EFTA)
Application for a residence permit for non-EU/EFTA national
  • You're coming from another canton
Change of canton - arrival from another canton
  • You wish to announce your return from absence (C permit holder)
Return of absence announcement for C permit holder
In Switzerland, basic health insurance (LAMal) in the event of illness and accident is compulsory. Every person, as soon as they take up residence in Switzerland, is required to be insured.
Learn more about compulsory affiliation to a health insurance

To learn more about everyday life in Switzerland (school, work, health system, etc.), you can consult the "Welcome to Switzerland" app of the State Secretariat for Migration.

App "Welcome to Switzerland"

BREXIT - As of January 1st, 2021, the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons between Switzerland and the EU (AFMP) no longer applies to relations between Switzerland and the United Kingdom, and nationals of the latter are no longer considered as EU/EFTA nationals but as third-country nationals.

For any questions related to Brexit, please consult the website of the State Secretariat for Migration.

Information on Brexit - Confederation website

2. Announcement of arrival in Geneva for Swiss national

For whom

All Swiss nationals arriving in Geneva to take up residence must announce their arrival.

Non-Geneva Confederates intending to reside or engage in gainful self-employment in Geneva must also register.

When

The announcement must be sent within 14 days of arrival.

What

The Geneva Confederates receive a letter confirming the registration of their arrival in the population register.

Non-Geneva Confederates receive:

  • In the case of temporary residence*, a residence certificate valid for 5 years and renewable if the conditions for obtaining it are still fulfilled.
  • In the case of a permanent residence**, a domicile certificate with an indefinite period of validity which shall remain valid as long as the data contained therein are in accordance with reality.

* Temporary stay means the commune in which a person stays for a particular purpose (internship studies, au pairs, etc.) without the intention of living there permanently, but for a period of at least 3 months, consecutive or spread over the same year. A Swiss citizen coming from abroad on a temporary stay is exempted from the obligation to register.

** Permanent residence (principal residence) means the commune in which a person resides recognizably for third parties with the intention of living there in the long term and having the center of their personal interests there. There can be only one principal residence.

In case of loss or theft of the residence or domicile certificate, it is possible to obtain a duplicate.

Certificates of domicile, residence and professional status are personal and individual.

Terms

The registered address must match your actual and primary address. It is not possible to register an address for the reception of mail, for business purposes or for personal or administrative convenience.

In the event of concrete indications that a person is not domiciled at the address given to the Cantonal Office for Population and Migration (OCPM), the office may conduct a house inquiry.

You must have a personal e-démarches account in order to submit your application online.

Attachments

  • form A completed and signed (one form per person, including for children where the form must be signed by both parents) - only if the request is made by postal mail
  • photocopy of a Swiss identity document
  • copy of the lease for tenants (only page where the dwelling appears)
  • written confirmation of the landlord for sub-tenants according to the AL form, with a copy of the landlord's I.D. and the main lease
  • certificate of departure from the canton of provenance when approriate
  • for divorced or unmarried parents arriving with a child(ren): proof of parental authority or power of attorney of the absent parent authorizing the child's domicile in Geneva or form EM
  • if the announcement is made by a proxy or a curator: power of attorney or extract from judgment

For the non-Geneva Confederates, add:

  • if the residence is permanent (main residence): certificate of origin or family certificate or individual civil status certificate (less than 6 months old)
  • if the residence is temporary: recent declaration of domicile issued by the commune of the principal residence in Switzerland

Price

This service is free of charge for Genevans and costs CHF 50 per person for non-Geneva Confederates.

Payment is made online for online requests or by invoice for requests made by postal mail.

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

 

Announce your arrival

The arrival announcement can be made online, by postal mail or at the commune of residence if the whole family is Swiss.

Legal bases

3. Announcement of arrival in Geneva for EU/EFTA national

For any stay of more than three months, you must apply for a residence or work permit. The application must be filed before commencing any activity. Your arrival announcement is made by means of your application for a residence or work permit:

If you hold a cross-border work permit (G permit) and you are moving to Geneva, but still have your job, you have to apply for a residence permit with gainful activity.

If you are a national of an EU/EFTA Member State, you may reside in Switzerland without authorization for a maximum of 3 months over a period of 6 months (e.g. tourist stay or medical stay). In this case, you do not have to make a specific announcement to the Cantonal Office for Population and Migration.

4. Announcement of arrival in Geneva for third-country national

As a national of a non-EU/EFTA State, you must apply for a residence or work permit before arriving in Geneva:

If your application is accepted, you will be summoned by the Cantonal Office for Population and Migration by post to register your biometric data necessary to establish your residence permit (biometric document).

5. Announcement of arrival in Geneva for asylum seeker

Apply for asylum

Asylum applications are made orally or in writing at a Swiss border post or at a Swiss airport border control office or at a Swiss Federal Center for Asylum Seekers (CFA) of the State Secretariat for Migration.

Your application will be registered and reviewed. If after 140 days it has not been possible to decide on your request, you will be directed to a canton responsible for housing and guiding you throughout the examination procedure.

Following your assignment to the canton of Geneva

Before going to the Cantonal Office for Population and Migration, you must go to the reception service of the Hospice General to carry out the preliminary procedures:

Hospice général
Service Accueil
Avenue du Bouchet 49
1209 Genève

Then you can go to the Protection, Asylum and Return reception offices with the pass issued by the CFA (Federal Center for Asylum seekers) duly stamped by the Hospice General (allocation of accommodation):

Service protection, asile et retour
Route de Chancy 90
1213 Onex

Depending on your status, you can receive an N, F or S permit:

  • The N permit for asylum seekers is issued to persons awaiting a decision on their asylum application.
  • The F permit for provisionally admitted foreigners is an alternative measure to the execution of the return when it cannot be carried out because it is technically impossible, unlawful (not in conformity with Switzerland's international commitments or contrary to the law) or not reasonably demandable (war situation, medical problems).
  • The S permit for persons in need of protection is the equivalent of an identity document authorizing temporary stay in Switzerland.

6. Arrival Announcement for Legitimation Card Holder

For whom

If you hold a FDFA legitimation card and are not a Swiss national, you are exempt from the obligation to notify the Cantonal Office for Population and Migration. You can however announce yourself on a voluntary basis.

If you are a Swiss national, the announcement procedure is as follows: Announcement of arrival in Geneva for Swiss nationals.

What

Following your announcement, a confirmation letter will be sent.

Any event (such as change of domicile, birth, marriage, divorce or separation) must be announced to the Swiss Mission through your Permanent Mission or international organization. If you are registered with our office, please inform us as well.

Terms

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

Attachments

  • OI form duly completed, dated and signed - only if the request is made by postal mail
  • copy of an identity document
  • copy of the lease for tenants or written confirmation from the landlord in accordance with the AL form along with a copy of the landlord's I.D. and a copy of the main lease
  • copy of the FDFA legitimation card

For divorced or unmarried parents arriving with child(ren):

  • proof of parental authority or power of attorney of the absent parent authorizing the child's domicile in Geneva or form EM

Price

The arrival announcement is free.

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

Arrival Announcement for Legitimation Card Holder

If you wish to announce your residence in the canton, you can do so online or by postal mail.

7. Change of canton - arrival from another canton

For whom

Foreigners who take up residence in Geneva while previously residing in another canton are required to announce their arrival.

If you are a Swiss national, the announcement procedure is as follows: Announcement of arrival in Geneva for Swiss nationals.

When

EU/EFTA nationals must announce themselves no sooner than 30 days before arrival and no later than 14 days after arrival.

Non-EU/EFTA nationals must apply for permission to change canton 3 months before the desired date of arrival.

Terms

Non-EU/EFTA C permit holders have the right to change cantons provided that there is no reason for revoking their authorization according to Article 63 of the Federal Act on Foreign Nationals.

Non-EU/EFTA B permit holders have the right to change cantons if they are not unemployed and there is no reason for revoking their authorization within the meaning of Article 62 of the Federal Act on Foreign Nationals

Departures fomalities must be carried out with the competent authorities of the canton of provenance.

Persons holding a valid residence permit in French will not be issued a new residence permit (unless the authorization is amended).

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

Attachments

EU/EFTA nationals

  • Form M duly completed, dated and signed - only for postal mail applications
  • Colour copy of a valid I.D.
  • Copy of the residence permit issued by the canton of provenance
  • Copy of the lease or, in case of sublease, attestation of the landlord established with the AL form (with copy of the main lease and copy of the landlord's I.D.)

Non-EU/EFTA nationals

  • Form M duly completed, dated and signed - only for postal mail applications
  • Colour copy of a valid passport
  • 1 passport-sized photo with full names on the back
  • Copy of the residence permit issued by the canton of provenance
  • Copy of the lease or, in case of sublease, attestation of the landlord established with the AL form (with copy of the main lease and copy of the landlord's I.D.)
  • Supporting documents for the financial resources

Additional documents if the application concerns the family

EU/EFTA nationals

  • Form M duly completed, dated and signed for each family member - only for postal mail applications
  • Copy of marriage certificate for spouses (with official translation)
  • Copy of birth certificate for children (with official translation)
  • EM form if children come with only one parent
  • Supporting documents for the financial resources

     

Non-EU/EFTA nationals

  • Form M duly completed, dated and signed for each family members- only for postal mail applications
  • 1 passport-sized photo with full names on the back for each family members
  • Copy of marriage certificate for spouses (with official translation)
  • Copy of birth certificate for children (with official translation)
  • EM form if children come with only one parent

Additional documents if the applicant is not gainfully employed

EU/EFTA nationals

  • Attestation from the social services of the canton of provenance
  • Supporting documents for the financial resources

Non-EU/EFTA nationals

  • Attestation from the social services of the canton of provenance
  • Cover letter

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 change of canton

Your request can be made online or by postal mail.

8. Return of absence for C permit holder

For whom

Those who have a leave of absence authorization for a C permit holder and wish to announce their return to the Canton of Geneva.

When

The announcement must be made once the persons have actually returned to Geneva and at the latest on the date of expiry of the leave of absence. Any request to return to Switzerland after the expiry date of the leave of absence will be considered as a new arrival from abroad.

Persons subject to a visa mus submit an application for a D visa to the competent Swiss representation at their place of residence abroad before their return.

Terms

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

Attachments

  • Copy of a valid I.D.
  • Original of the leave of absence (if still in your possession) or copy
  • Form M duly completed and indicating the exact date of your return to Geneva - only for requests made by postal mail
  • 1 passport-sized photo with full names on the back
  • Copy of the lease or, in case of sublease, attestation of the landlord established with the AL form (with copy of the main lease and copy of the landlord's I.D.)

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

Announce your return

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