Are you a foreign national and have been granted a residence permit under the family reunification programme? In certain circumstances, divorced or widowed spouses and their children can stay in
Switzerland following a divorce or the death of one of the parents.
You have a residence permit (permit B)
EU/EFTA citizens
If you are from an EU/EFTA state you can apply for your own residence permit if your marriage ends (either through divorce, death or annulment) provided:
- you have sufficient financial means to meet your living requirements in Switzerland.
Persons from non-EU/EFTA states
A divorced spouse’s or child’s existing residence permit may be extended provided:
- the marriage lasted at least three years in Switzerland and the spouse / family lived together,
- the persons concerned were successfully integrated in Switzerland (reputation, knowledge of the language, willingness to work) or
- important personal circumstances make it necessary to continue living in Switzerland (e.g. persecution in their home country).
You have a settlement permit (permit C)
Spouses and children over 12 years old who have come to Switzerland under the family reunification scheme obtain a settlement permit after five years of continuous residence in this country. They
also have the right to settle in Switzerland following a divorce or after the spouse’s death.
