Loss of the right to the legitimation card and continuation of the stay

1. Overview

Persons holding a FDFA legitimation card who lose their right to this document (retirement, transfer, dismissal or other) must leave Switzerland within the time limit set for them or apply for the settlement of their conditions of stay if they wish to remain in Geneva.

The following cases determine the steps to be carried out: 

Autres feuillets du livret

  • Person who leaves the canton and wishes to obtain a certificate to carry out certain administrative procedures:

Announcement of departure is voluntary. However, in order to obtain a certificate of departure, the duly completed departure form must be submitted in advance.

Announcement of departure
  • Person who had a residence permit (B or C permit) before taking up his post in an international organisation and who wishes to recover it:
Application for recovery of a residence or establishment permit

  • International staff member wishing to retire in Geneva:

Retirement of international civil servants

  • Staff members of a foreign representation wishing to retire in Geneva;

Retirement of staff members of foreign representations
  • Person who wishes to stay in Geneva and apply for family reunification with a spouse who holds an L, B or C permit or a swiss spouse:
Apply for family reunification
  • Person wishing to stay in Geneva and pursue a gainful activity
Apply for a residence permit with gainful activity
  • Person wishing to stay in Geneva and pursue studies:
Apply for a student permit
  • Person wishing to stay in Geneva without working there:
Apply for a residence permit without activity

2. Recover previous authorisation

For whom

A locally recruited international staff member who was already in possession of a durable residence permit (permit B) or a permanent establishment permit (permit C) at the time of his/her appointment may recover his/her previous permit at the end of his/her term of office.

 

When

At the end of the official duties, the legitimation card is returned and the previous authorisation can be recovered.

Terms

The conditions which prevailed before the granting of the legitimation card must still be met.

Attachments

  • Form K
  • Letter of motivation
  • colour copy of a valid identity document
  • copy of the lease or attestation of the landlord established according to form AL (with copy of the main lease and identity documents of the landlord)
  • Supporting documents for the financial resources

Price

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

Apply

Your application must be sent by postal mail.

3. Retirement of international civil servants

For whom

International civil servants who retire in Switzerland at the age fixed by the statutes of their organisation or early may obtain a residence permit (B permit) or an establishment permit (C permit).

When

The application must be filed 2 months before retirement.

The permit can only be issued after the cancellation of the legitimation card.

Terms

An establishment permit (permit C) may be issued if the following conditions are met:

  • Have reached retirement/early retirement age according to the IO Statutes
  • Have resided and worked in Switzerland for an IO continuously for the last 5 years prior to retirement (10 years for international civil servants taking early retirement)
  • Having sufficient financial resources
  • Fulfil the integration criteria under Article 58a (1) LEI and in particular have the required linguistic knowledge
  • Not to engage in gainful activity in Switzerland or abroad
  • There are no grounds for revocation within the meaning of Art. 62 LEI

If these integration conditions within the meaning of Article 58a LEI are not fulfilled, a residence permit (permit B) may be applied for.

The spouse and minor children of the retired principal holder are entitled to family reunification. They can obtain a C permit under the same conditions as the principal holder.

The application is submitted to the State Secretariat for Migration for approval.

Attachments

For an application for a C permit:

  • Form Y for each family member concerned
  • Curriculum vitae of the principal holder
  • Letter of motivation
  • Formal commitment not to engage in gainful activity in Switzerland or abroad except for the management of one's own wealth (concerns only the person who retires)
  • Colour copy of a valid identity document for each family member concerned
  • Colour copy of the FDFA card
  • Copy of the lease or attestation of the landlord established according to the AL form (with copy of the main lease and the identity document of the landlord)
  • Proof of financial means through the certificate of annuity
  • Employer attestation (date of entry into service and date of termination of service)
  • Certificate from the prosecution office less than 3 months old
  • Certificate of non-assistance of the Hospice General less than 3 months old
  • Certificate of French recognised by the Confederation (FIDE certificate) - level B1 orally and A1 in writing for each member of the family concerned. Persons who have completed compulsory school in French or who have obtained a diploma in secondary level II or tertiary level in French do not need to present a language certificate. They have to produce a school certificate

Depending on the situation, the following documents must also be attached:

  • Copy of marriage certificate (with official translation if necessary)
  • Copy of the birth certificate of each child concerned (with official translation if necessary)

For an application for a B permit:

  • Form M for each family member concerned
  • Letter of motivation
  • Curriculum vitae of the principal holder
  • Formal commitment not to engage in gainful activity in Switzerland or abroad except for the management of one's own wealth (concerns only the person who retires)
  • Colour copy of a valid identity document for each family member concerned
  • Copy of the lease or attestation of the landlord established according to the AL form (with copy of the main lease and the identity document of the landlord)
  • Proof of financial means through the certificate of annuity

Depending on the situation, the following documents must also be attached:

  • Copy of marriage certificate (with official translation if necessary)
  • Copy of the birth certificate of each child concerned (with official translation if necessary)

Price

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

Apply

Your application must be sent by postal mail.

4. Retirement of staff of foreign representations

For whom

Staff members of a foreign representation who retire in Switzerland at the age fixed by their State may obtain a residence permit (permit B) for the annuitant.

Terms

A residence permit for annuitants (permit B) may be issued if the following conditions are met:

  • Be over 55 years of age
  • Having sufficient financial resources
  • Not to engage in gainful activity in Switzerland or abroad
  • There are no grounds for revocation within the meaning of Art. 62 LEI

The application is submitted to the State Secretariat for Migration for approval.

Attachments

  • Form M for each family member concerned
  • Letter of motivation
  • Formal commitment not to engage in gainful activity in Switzerland or abroad except for the management of one's own wealth (concerns only the person who retires)
  • colour copy of a valid identity document for each family member concerned
  • copy of the lease or attestation of the landlord established according to the AL form (with copy of the main lease and the identity document of the landlord)
  • Proof of financial means

Depending on the situation, the following documents must also be attached:

  • Copy of marriage certificate (with official translation if necessary)
  • Copy of the birth certificate of each child concerned (with official translation if necessary)

Price

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

Apply

Your application must be sent by postal mail.