Applying for C permit / B permit extension while changing jobs

I’m in the process of changing jobs - I have offers on the table, but haven’t yet signed nor given notice at my current employer.

At the same time, I’m in the process of renewing my 5-year EU B-permit while simultaneously applying for the C-permit. My current B-permit expires at the start of August and I will file the paperwork for it tomorrow. If I quit my job today, I will still be employed until end of August.

Having never done this before, I’m worried if things might somehow administratively backfire (I don’t think it’s likely but want to rule this out). For the new job which would start in September, I need to be eligible to work in Switzerland, i.e. I need a B or C permit. IIUC the renewal of the B-permit is contingent on being employed. My concern is that the authorities might contact my current employer, find out that I have quit, and then somehow decide that I am not eligible for permit renewal.

This worst case scenario (quit current job, lose permit, lose new job, get kicked out of Switzerland…) is something I want to avoid :sweat_smile:

On the other hand, my interactions with the authorities have generally been sensible so far. So I imagine if I just explain the situation they will be cool with it.

Does anyone have any thoughts or experience with a similar situation? Thanks in advance.

You’re fine. You’re employed, and will be once you receive your new permit, which will probably be a C altogether (have you prepared the language tests?). Also, being jobless and actively looking for a job does not disqualify you immediately. I know many cases of people getting their permit renewed (or their citizenship application approved) while getting unemployment allowances.

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I think you’ll be fine. I submitted all my paperwork for B+C in advance (and for anything missing I put it in the comments - I was waiting on language results). I wrote a cover letter and explained my situation in detail. Then once I received my language results I sent that separately (still within the deadline).

Note some things can take couple weeks to process to get the paperwork (so I recall gathering it a couple months in advance).

If you haven’t done the language test I recommend SDS deutschtest since they can get you results within 48 hours, but you still need to sign up quickly for the exam if your renewal is August.

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