When it comes to Swiss work permits, some of them offer more benefits than others in case of job loss.
Depending on what kind of a permit you hold (and what citizenship you have), being unemployed could mean that your right to remain in Switzerland could be revoked.
For instance, if you have a B or L residency permit and are a national of an EU / EFTA state (Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein), you may stay in Switzerland for at least six months to seek new employment.
However, you will have to apply for a permit as a job-seeker with the cantonal migration authorities while you are looking for a new position.
Third-country nationals, on the other hand, face more restrictions because their work permits (B or L) are tied to their job, so becoming unemployed would automatically mean losing their permit as well.
That’s because permits for third-country nationals are subject to strict criteria and quota system, so finding an employer willing to hire you at short notice would be very difficult – unless you have some specific skills that are in high demand and that can’t be found among the Swiss or EU / EFTA workforce.
(However, all foreign nationals regardless of their passports and permits, are entitled to receive unemployment benefits if they have been legally working in Switzerland and contributing to the social insurance scheme for at least 12 months in the last two years, and have been living in the country full time during that period.)
READ ALSO: What unemployment benefits are foreign workers in Switzerland entitled to?
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What about C permit holders?
If you are a foreigner who lives in Switzerland with a valid C permit, you are subject to the same rules as Swiss citizens who lose their jobs – that is, you don’t have to leave the country.
It doesn’t matter whether you are a national of the European Union, EFTA, or a third country, because the C permit is an equaliser of sorts – except for voting and being elected, it grants you the same rights as Swiss citizens have, which includes living in Switzerland indefinitely, even if you lose your job.
There are, however, some pitfalls you should be aware of because under some circumstances (which have nothing to do with being unemployed) you could see your C permit downgraded.
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How could this happen?
There are basically three scenarios under which a C permit could be ‘demoted’.
One is if you commit a crime – not just in Switzerland, but also abroad – or threaten Switzerland’s security in any way.
In fact, if you are convicted of offences such as murder, rape, serious sexual assault, violent acts, armed robbery, as well as drug and people trafficking, you will not only lose your permit but be also deported from Switzerland – regardless of the permit.
READ MORE: When can a foreigner be ordered to leave Switzerland?
Also, if Swiss authorities discover that you had lied when applying for a C permit, that is considered a valid reason for downgrading as well.
However, your offences don’t have to be of a criminal nature.
You can also see your C permit downgraded if you and/or your immediate family rely on social aid.
Not only that, but your application for Swiss citizenship will be turned down if you have been on welfare in the three years prior to applying.
And you could even lose the C permit for a non-criminal reason – for instance, if you leave the country for more than four years without first notifying the authorities and putting your permit ‘on hold’ while you are away.
