Overview
Any foreign national wishing to get married in Geneva must be able to prove the legality of their stay.
The steps to be taken by a fiancé(e) of foreign nationality to obtain a residence permit of limited duration to celebrate their marriage in the canton depend on their nationality and place of residence.
- A fiancé(e) who holds the nationality of an EU/EFTA country can celebrate their marriage in Geneva as part of a tourist stay. There is no need to apply for a short term authorization to do so. Once the marriage has been celebrated, an application for family reunification must be submitted if they wish to stay in Geneva.
- A fiancé(e) who holds the nationality of an non-European country (non-EU/EFTA) must apply for a residence permit of limited duration to celebrate their marriage in Geneva. The steps to be taken are different depending on whether they are abroad or in Switzerland
- Once the marriage has been celebrated in Geneva, further steps should be taken to obtain a residence permit within the framework of family reunification.
Application for a non-European fiancé abroad
For whom
A foreign national may apply for a residence permit of limited duration to enable them to prepare for their marriage to a Swiss citizen or a foreign national holding a residence permit of a lasting nature (B or C permit).
When
The application for a residence permit for marriage preparation must be filed by the fiancé(e) abroad before their entry into Switzerland with the competent Swiss representation of their place of residence.
The application is forwarded to the OCPM by the Swiss representation for appraisal and decision. Additional documents may then be requested.
Applications to the Civil Registry Office must be made before entering Switzerland.
The fiancé(e) must wait for the decision abroad.
Terms
- The legal steps towards marriage must be completed and the celebration of marriage must be possible within a reasonable time. A certificate from the Civil Registry Office confirming this shall be submitted.
- Subsequent conditions for family reunification under articles 42 et seg LEI or 3 Annex 1 AFMP must be fulfilled (for more details, see: Applying for a residence permit for my family).
- There are no grounds for termination of the right to family reunification under art. 51 LEI.
Attachments
- application for personal entry to the Swiss representation abroad (visa application)
- Form M if the request is sent by postal mail
- copy of a valid passport
- 1 passport-sized photo with full names on the back
- evidence of financial means
- copy of the lease for the future spouse in Geneva or written attestation from the landlord in accordance with form AL (with copy of the main lease and the I.D. of the landlord)
- certificate from the Civil Registry Office confirming that the preparatory formalities have been completed and that the marriage can be celebrated within a reasonable period
- letter confirming the wish of the future spouses to marry, specifying the circumstances of the meeting of the couple and mentioning any children born of a previous union
Positive decision
If the conditions are met, the OCPM issues an entry authorization and a form to announce the future arrival.
Once the D visa has been issued by the Swiss representation abroad, the couple must marry within 3 months of arrival in Geneva.
Price
For online applications, payment is made online as well.
For applications sent by post, payment is made by invoice.
Processing times
Processing times can be consulted on this page: Délais de traitement moyens des demandes déposées à l'OCPM
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
Apply for a residence permit for a fiancé abroad
Your application can be done either online or by postal mail.
You must have a personal account to be able to file your application online.
Application for a non-European fiancé in Switzerland
For whom
If the fiancé(e) is already staying in Switzerland without a residence permit, please contact the Civil Registry Office of the place of residence of the fiancé(e) officially domiciled in Switzerland to start the procedures there and obtain the necessary information on the preparatory marriage procedure.
When
Once you receive the "60 days" letter from the Civil Registry Office, you will be able to submit your complete application to the OCPM.
Terms
- The Civil Registry Office's "60 days" letter must be issued and the celebration of the marriage must be possible within a reasonable time.
- Subsequent conditions for family reunification under articles 42 et seg LEI or 3 Annex 1 AFMP must be fulfilled (for more details, see: Applying for a residence permit for my family).
- There are no grounds for termination of the right to family reunification under art. 51 LEI.
Attachments
- "60 days" letter from the Civil Registry Office
- Form M if the request is sent by postal mail
- copy of a valid passport
- 1 passport-sized photo with full names on the back
- evidence of financial means
- copy of the lease for the future spouse in Geneva or written attestation from the landlord in accordance with form AL (with copy of the main lease and the I.D. of the landlord)
- letter confirming the wish of the future spouses to marry, specifying the circumstances of the meeting of the couple and mentioning any children born of a previous union
Positive decision
If the conditions are met and the request is accepted, the OCPM will issue you a certificate "en vue mariage" ("for marriage").
To that end, an invoice of CHF 25 is sent to you. Upon receipt of the proof of payment, the certificate is sent to you. This certificate must be presented to the Civil Registry Office. The certificate is valid for six months. If necessary, it can be extended to celebrate the marriage, if it takes place beyond six months.
Processing times
Processing times can be consulted on this page: Délais de traitement moyens des demandes déposées à l'OCPM
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
Apply for a residence permit for a fiancé in Switzerland
Your application can be done either online or by postal mail.
You must have a personal account to be able to file your application online.
Apply for a permit following the celebration of the marriage
The residence permit for family reunification is issued after the celebration of the marriage.
For who
The fiancé(e) who celebrated their marriage in Geneva with a short term residence permit or a marriage certificate or a D visa for marriage must submit an application for a residence permit.
When
After the marriage celebration.
Attachments
If the procedure was conducted from abroad:
- copy of the marriage certificate
- arrival announcement form (personal data)
If the procedure was conducted from Switzerland:
- copy of the marriage certificate
- form M (application for family reunification) duly completed
Important information about the date of arrival in Switzerland
In order to determine the date of arrival in Switzerland which is mentioned on the residence permit, the administration relies on:
- the effective date of arrival in Switzerland for persons who have carried out the procedure from abroad (date announced on the arrival announcement form provided to the OCPM)
- the date on which the application for residence permit for marriage was submitted if the fiancé was already present in Switzerland.
The date of the marriage cannot be used as the date of entry into Switzerland.
Anyone residing in Switzerland must be insured with a health insurer authorized to practice compulsory health insurance, within three months of taking up residence in Switzerland.
This obligation is independent of whether or not the residence permit has been issued. The insurance obligation therefore begins on the date of taking up residence and not on the date of issue of the residence permit. See: Affiliation obligatoire à une caisse d'assurance-maladie | ge.ch
Submit your application
You must send your application by postal mail.