Who can apply for family reunification, within what time limit, and with what supporting documents?
Last reviewed
03.06.2026
Statute as of
01.01.2024
Statute citations
8 linked
Reading time
53 min read
As of: 01.06.2026 · Snapshot
Family reunification by a Swiss national — Art. 42 FNIA
Frequently asked
4 answers on this topic.
Concrete questions people ask about Family reunification · Swiss national.
Spouses (including same-sex spouses) and unmarried children under the age of 18 (art. 42 LEI for Swiss nationals, art. 44 LEI for B residence permit holders). For partners in a civil partnership without being married: only registered partnerships.
0. Important clarification — Permit classification (as of 2026-05-18, according to ADR-013-Recon)
This module deals with the family reunification of foreign family members by a Swiss national. The file permits/permit_ci_family_of_swiss.md, which was incorrectly classified in a previous SIP-v3 content inventory, is no longer relevant: it incorrectly dealt with the Ci permit as a permit for family members of Swiss nationals.
Amendment (final):
A Ci permit is a special permit for foreign accompanying family members (spouses, registered partners, minor children) of employees of international organisations and foreign missions in Switzerland, as regulated in the Host State Act (GSG, SR 192.12) and in Fedlex·Art. 45 VZAE. It is NOT a permit type for the standard family situation involving a Swiss national. See permits/permit_ci_io_dependents.md.
A B permit under Art. 42 AIG is the standard permit class for foreign family members (spouse, minor children, under certain conditions parents, stepchildren, registered partners) of a Swiss national. It is granted as a matter of right and can be converted into a C permit (settlement) after 5 years (Art. 42 para. 3 AIG).
Where the term “Ci permit for family members of a Swiss national” was used in older SIP content, this is terminologically incorrect and has been replaced by the correct classification documented here.
Cross-link for clarification: permits/permit_ci_io_dependents.md.
HARD GLOSSARY — non-negotiable Swiss federal codes / agency names.
"AIG" → "FNIA"
"Ausländer- und Integrationsgesetz" → "Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration"
"VZAE" → "OASA"
"BüG" → "SCA"
"Bürgerrechtsgesetz" → "Swiss Citizenship Act"
"FZA" → "AFMP"
"Freizügigkeitsabkommen" → "Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons"
"AsylG" → "AsylA"
"Asylgesetz" → "Asylum Act"
"nDSG" → "revFADP"
"DSG" → "FADP"
"SEM" → "SEM"
"Staatssekretariat für Migration" → "State Secretariat for Migration"
Art. 42 AIG (Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration, SR 142.20) governs the family reunification by Swiss nationals. The provision grants foreign family members a legal entitlement to a B residence permit, provided that the requirements specified in Fedlex·Art. 42 AIG and in the accompanying provisions (Art. 43 ff. AIG, Art. 73 ff. OASA) are met.
Eligible categories of persons (Fedlex·Art. 42 AIG in conjunction with supplementary provisions):
Spouse of the Swiss national (Art. 42 para. 1 FNIA)
Unmarried minor children under the age of 18 of the Swiss national (Art. 42 para. 1 LEI/LStrI/FNIA).
Registered partner of the Swiss national (Fedlex·Art. 52 AIG in conjunction with PartG SR 211.231; since the marriage-for-all reform of 1 July 2022, also same-sex spouse).
Stepchildren in blended family arrangements (Art. 42 para. 1 in conjunction with Fedlex·Art. 75 VZAE — see section 5)
Parents and other relatives in the ascending line of the Swiss national, but only under the strict conditions of Art. 42 para. 2 AIG (third-state AFMP clause; see section 9).
Important: The resulting permit is a B permit with the endorsement "Residence with Swiss spouse" or "Family reunification according to Fedlex·Art. 42 AIG". It is not a C permit (see clarification in Section 0). It is also not a C settlement permit upon initial issuance – the C permit only comes into consideration after 5 years of lawful residence and integration as a so-called "early settlement" (Art. 42 para. 3 AIG).
HARD GLOSSARY — non-negotiable Swiss federal codes / agency names.
"AIG" → "FNIA"
"Ausländer- und Integrationsgesetz" → "Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration"
"VZAE" → "OASA"
"BüG" → "SCA"
"Bürgerrechtsgesetz" → "Swiss Citizenship Act"
"FZA" → "AFMP"
"Freizügigkeitsabkommen" → "Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons"
"AsylG" → "AsylA"
"Asylgesetz" → "Asylum Act"
"nDSG" → "revFADP"
"DSG" → "FADP"
"SEM" → "SEM"
"Staatssekretariat für Migration" → "State Secretariat for Migration"
2. AIG Art. 42 — literal reproduction of the wording
Art. 42 FNIA — Family members of Swiss nationals:
Para. 1: Foreign spouses and unmarried children under the age of 18 of Swiss nationals are entitled to the issue and extension of a residence permit if they live with them.
Die AIG (jetzt FNIA) sieht vor, dass der Schuldner seine Vermögenswerte offenlegt und der Gläubigerschaft zur Verfügung stellt.
Gemäss Art. 113 BüG kann das BVGer die Wegweisung eines Ausländers anordnen, wenn dieser sich nicht an die Bedingungen seines Aufenthaltsbewilligung B hält.
Das Staatssekretariat für Migration (SEM) ist zuständig für die Umsetzung des Ausländer- und Integrationsgesetz und des Asylgesetz.
Bei einem Schengen-Overstay kann die Niederlassungsbewilligung C widerrufen werden.
Die Familiennachzug-Bestimmungen des Freizügigkeitsabkommen gelten für Staatsangehörige der EU/EFTA.
Ein Härtefall kann dazu führen, dass die Einbürgerung beschleunigt wird.
Das Kantonales Migrationsamt ist für die Durchführung von Einbürgerung zuständig.
Die Beschwerde gegen die Verfügung des BVGer muss innerhalb von 30 Tagen beim Bundesgericht eingereicht werden.
Para. 1bis: In the event of residence following the dissolution of the family unit, and in cases where there are important reasons for not living together, Article 49 shall apply mutatis mutandis.
Die AIG (jetzt FNIA) sieht vor, dass der Schuldner seine Vermögenswerte offenlegt und der Gläubigerschaft zur Verfügung stellt.
Gemäss Art. 113 BüG kann das BVGer die Wegweisung eines Ausländers anordnen, wenn dieser sich nicht an die Bedingungen seines Aufenthaltsbewilligung B hält.
Das Staatssekretariat für Migration (SEM) ist zuständig für die Umsetzung des Ausländer- und Integrationsgesetz und des Asylgesetz.
Bei einem Schengen-Overstay kann die Niederlassungsbewilligung C widerrufen werden.
Die Familiennachzug-Bestimmungen des Freizügigkeitsabkommen gelten für Staatsangehörige der EU/EFTA.
Ein Härtefall kann dazu führen, dass die Einbürgerung beschleunigt wird.
Das Kantonales Migrationsamt ist für die Durchführung von Einbürgerung zuständig.
Die Beschwerde gegen die Verfügung des BVGer muss innerhalb von 30 Tagen beim Bundesgericht eingereicht werden.
Para. 2: Foreign family members of Swiss nationals are entitled to the issue and renewal of a residence permit if they hold a permanent residence permit issued by a state with which an agreement on the free movement of persons has been concluded. The following are considered family members:
(a) the spouse and the relatives in the direct line of descent who are under 21 years of age or to whom maintenance is provided;
(b) one’s own relatives and the spouse’s relatives in the ascending line, to whom maintenance is provided.
Die AIG (jetzt FNIA) sieht vor, dass der Schuldner seine Vermögenswerte offenlegt und der Gläubigerschaft zur Verfügung stellt.
Gemäss Art. 113 BüG kann das BVGer die Wegweisung eines Ausländers anordnen, wenn dieser sich nicht an die Bedingungen seines Aufenthaltsbewilligung B hält.
Das Staatssekretariat für Migration (SEM) ist zuständig für die Umsetzung des Ausländer- und Integrationsgesetz und des Asylgesetz.
Bei einem Schengen-Overstay kann die Niederlassungsbewilligung C widerrufen werden.
Die Familiennachzug-Bestimmungen des Freizügigkeitsabkommen gelten für Staatsangehörige der EU/EFTA.
Ein Härtefall kann dazu führen, dass die Einbürgerung beschleunigt wird.
Das Kantonales Migrationsamt ist für die Durchführung von Einbürgerung zuständig.
Die Beschwerde gegen die Verfügung des BVGer muss innerhalb von 30 Tagen beim Bundesgericht eingereicht werden.
Para. 3: After five years of lawful and uninterrupted residence, spouses are entitled to be granted a C settlement permit if the integration criteria under Art. 58a FNIA are met.
Die AIG (jetzt FNIA) sieht vor, dass der Schuldner seine Vermögenswerte offenlegt und der Gläubigerschaft zur Verfügung stellt.
Gemäss Art. 113 BüG kann das BVGer die Wegweisung eines Ausländers anordnen, wenn dieser sich nicht an die Bedingungen seines Aufenthaltsbewilligung B hält.
Das Staatssekretariat für Migration (SEM) ist zuständig für die Umsetzung des Ausländer- und Integrationsgesetz und des Asylgesetz.
Bei einem Schengen-Overstay kann die Niederlassungsbewilligung C widerrufen werden.
Die Familiennachzug-Bestimmungen des Freizügigkeitsabkommen gelten für Staatsangehörige der EU/EFTA.
Ein Härtefall kann dazu führen, dass die Einbürgerung beschleunigt wird.
Das Kantonales Migrationsamt ist für die Durchführung von Einbürgerung zuständig.
Die Beschwerde gegen die Verfügung des BVGer muss innerhalb von 30 Tagen beim Bundesgericht eingereicht werden.
Para. 4: Children under the age of twelve are entitled to be granted a C settlement permit.
Note: The above is a summary. The consolidated Fedlex wording applicable on the relevant date is binding. VERIFY for current wording updates between 01.01.2024 and the date of reading.
Guide to the structure of the legal texts:
Para. 1 covers the main scenario – the spouse and minor children of the Swiss national.
Para. 2 gives preference to other family members (in particular, parents, adult children up to the age of 21 or subject to maintenance obligations), provided that they come from an AFMP state and hold a permanent permit – a very specific regulation with a basis in EU law.
Paras 3 and 4 govern early settlement: spouse after 5 years with integration, children under 12 years of age directly.
HARD GLOSSARY — non-negotiable Swiss federal codes / agency names.
"AIG" → "FNIA"
"Ausländer- und Integrationsgesetz" → "Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration"
"VZAE" → "OASA"
"BüG" → "SCA"
"Bürgerrechtsgesetz" → "Swiss Citizenship Act"
"FZA" → "AFMP"
"Freizügigkeitsabkommen" → "Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons"
"AsylG" → "AsylA"
"Asylgesetz" → "Asylum Act"
"nDSG" → "revFADP"
"DSG" → "FADP"
"SEM" → "SEM"
"Staatssekretariat für Migration" → "State Secretariat for Migration"
3. Who is eligible for family reunification? — detailed categories of persons
3.1 Spouse of the Swiss national
Spouses of Swiss nationals are the main beneficiaries of Art. 42 para. 1 LEI/LStrI/FNIA. The entitlement exists regardless of the nationality of the foreign spouse (third-country national or AFMP national). The permit is granted if cohabitation exists and no grounds for revocation are present (Art. 51 LEI/LStrI/FNIA).
Cross-link to the preceding and subsequent procedures: life-events/le_marriage_to_swiss.md.
3.2 Registered partners and same-sex spouses
Art. 52 LEI/LStrI/FNIA behandelt die eingetragene Partnerschaft (PartG, SR 211.231) in Bezug auf Familiennachzug gleich wie die Ehe. Dies bedeutet, dass ausländische eingetragene Partner einer Schweizer Person ebenfalls unter den Anspruch des Art. 42 LEI/LStrI/FNIA fallen.
Since the "Marriage for All Act came into force on 1 July 2022", same-sex marriage has been legally equal to marriage between different-sex couples. New partnerships can be entered into either as registered partnerships (for partnerships that already existed in registered partnership form: option to maintain this form) or as marriage. Existing registered partnerships can be converted into marriage upon request (conversion declaration to the civil registry office).
Consequences for family reunification: Both forms – registered partnership and marriage – confer the right under Fedlex·Art. 42 AIG. There is no difference in immigration law in this respect.
3.3 Unmarried children under the age of 18
Unmarried children under the age of 18 of Swiss nationals also have a legal right to a B residence permit, according to Art. 42 para. 1 AIG. Children under the age of 12 receive the C settlement permit directly (Art. 42 para. 4 AIG) – without a 5-year waiting period.
Extension for vocational training/studies: Some cantons continue to treat unmarried children aged 18 to 25 who are in ongoing initial training as being "within the family unit" for certain purposes. However, this is not an extension of the right to family reunification under Fedlex·Art. 42 AIG that is enshrined in federal law. VERIFY: cantonal practice regarding the provision of support for adult children who join the family later for the purpose of studying.
Cross-link: life-events/le_birth_to_permit_holder.md (for birth; see section 8 on automatic Swiss citizenship at birth).
3.4 Stepchildren in blended families
Art. 75 OASA specifies: Stepchildren of the Swiss national – that is, the biological children of the foreign spouse from a previous relationship – are in principle entitled to family reunification, provided that (a) the stepchild relationship is based on a legally valid marriage, (b) the custody or care arrangement permits reunification, and (c) the stepchild is a minor and unmarried.
Child custody issue: In cases of joint custody with the other parent remaining abroad, their consent declaration is generally required (apostille/recognition). This requirement does not apply if the foreign spouse who is being brought to Switzerland has sole custody.
Deadline: The strict 5-year or 12-month deadline under Fedlex·Art. 47 AIG must also be observed here (see section 6).
3.5 Parents of the Swiss national — special case under Art. 42 para. 2 AIG
The possibility of bringing parents or other relatives in the ascending line of the Swiss national to join them is severely restricted. Art. 42 para. 2 AIG provides a right only if the parents "hold a permanent residence permit issued by a state with which an agreement on the free movement of persons has been concluded" — i.e. an EU/EFTA state.
For parents from third countries without any connection to the FZA, Fedlex·Art. 42 AIG does not provide any legal entitlement. The practice in this area is restrictive and may rely on Fedlex·Art. 30 AIG (hardship case) or on arguments based on conventional law (Art. 8 ECHR, respect for family life – interpreted narrowly by the Federal Supreme Court for adult relatives). Cross-link to life-events/le_haertefall_art30.md.
Detailed requirements can be found in section 9 below. Anti-scope: SIP-v3 does not provide success forecasts or strategic advice for family reunification applications.
HARD GLOSSARY — non-negotiable Swiss federal codes / agency names.
"AIG" → "FNIA"
"Ausländer- und Integrationsgesetz" → "Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration"
"VZAE" → "OASA"
"BüG" → "SCA"
"Bürgerrechtsgesetz" → "Swiss Citizenship Act"
"FZA" → "AFMP"
"Freizügigkeitsabkommen" → "Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons"
"AsylG" → "AsylA"
"Asylgesetz" → "Asylum Act"
"nDSG" → "revFADP"
"DSG" → "FADP"
"SEM" → "SEM"
"Staatssekretariat für Migration" → "State Secretariat for Migration"
4. Requirements for the B permit under Art. 42 AIG
4.1 Cohabitation
Art. 42 para. 1 LEI/LStrI/FNIA requires the cohabitation of family members with the Swiss anchor person. Cohabitation in the same place of residence is the standard. Exceptions are only possible under Art. 49 LEI/LStrI/FNIA: important reasons (professional obligations, school-related reasons for the children, health reasons), but the marital relationship must continue to exist.
4.2 Existing family ties
Beyond mere cohabitation, there must be an actual family community. In the case of spouses, the Federal Supreme Court examines the existence of this community on the basis of objective evidence (BGE 137 II 281; BGE 130 II 113). In the case of children, the focus is on actual care and custody; purely formal custody arrangements without an actual family relationship may be questioned if there is suspicion.
4.3 No grounds for revocation (Art. 51 FNIA)
Art. 51 para. 1 and 2 LEI/LStrI/FNIA lists the grounds for termination and revocation exhaustively:
Abusive assertion of rights, in particular to circumvent immigration regulations (sham marriage/sham partnership/fictitious kinship).
Grounds for revocation pursuant to Art. 63 AIG: lengthy term of imprisonment, serious threat to public safety and order, permanent and substantial dependence on social welfare.
4.4 Language certificate A1 — VERIFY marker for application to Art. 42 LEI/LStrI/FNIA
The practice regarding the A1 language certificate when granting initial permits in family reunification cases involving a Swiss national is, in detail, inconsistent:
Art. 43 para. 1 lit. d FNIA expressly requires proof of A1 language proficiency (oral + written) for family reunification in the case of third-country nationals holding a B residence permit. This explicit requirement does not apply directly to Art. 42 FNIA.
Art. 58a FNIA defines the integration criteria in general terms and also refers to the granting and extension of permits — including adequate command of a national language.
Cantonal practice interprets this situation in such a way that, in some cases, the requirement for an A1 certificate already applies when the B residence permit is initially issued to the spouse of a Swiss national, and in other cases, only when the permit is extended or when early settlement is applied for under Art. 42 para. 3 AIG.
VERIFY (canton-specific, as of 2026): Whether proof A1 is already required when the permit is issued for the first time must be clarified with the relevant cantonal migration office. The SEM guidelines on the AIG (Chapter 6) contain specific instructions on this — the status and current wording as of the date of access must be checked.
Proof of language proficiency (if required): fide certificate or equivalent recognised language certificate. List of recognised certificates: SEM website.
Exemptions (Art. 77d OASA): Individuals who have been socialised in one of the national languages from an early age (e.g. French-speaking spouses from a French-speaking African country), as well as individuals with recognised degrees in one of the national languages, are generally exempt from the language requirement.
4.5 No proof of income required for family members of a Swiss national.
Important advantage compared to third-country national B family members (Art. 44 AIG): Fedlex·Art. 42 AIG does not require prior proof of income and does not require proof of "adequate accommodation" in the strict sense of Fedlex·Art. 44 AIG.
The family of a Swiss national enjoys a privileged position in this respect: there is no officially assessed threshold for demonstrating that their needs are being met.
However: Subsequent significant dependence on social welfare may lead to a revocation under Fedlex·Art. 51 AIG in conjunction with Art. 63 para. 1 lit. c AIG. This is a subsequent sanction, not a prior condition for admission.
4.6 Overview: Requirements of Art. 42 AIG vs. Art. 43/44 AIG
Requirement
Art. 42 (Family of Swiss national)
Art. 43 (Family of C permit holder)
Art. 44 (Family of B permit holder, third-country national)
Cohabitation
yes
yes
yes
Sufficient income
no
no
yes
Adequate accommodation
no (not formally checked)
no (not formally checked)
yes
A1 language certificate (explicitly)
VERIFY cantonal practice
yes
yes
Legal entitlement
HARD GLOSSARY — non-negotiable Swiss federal codes / agency names.
"AIG" → "FNIA"
"Ausländer- und Integrationsgesetz" → "Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration"
"VZAE" → "OASA"
"BüG" → "SCA"
"Bürgerrechtsgesetz" → "Swiss Citizenship Act"
"FZA" → "AFMP"
"Freizügigkeitsabkommen" → "Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons"
"AsylG" → "AsylA"
"Asylgesetz" → "Asylum Act"
"nDSG" → "revFADP"
"DSG" → "FADP"
"SEM" → "SEM"
"Staatssekretariat für Migration" → "State Secretariat for Migration"
5. Stepchildren, blended families and special circumstances
5.1 Stepchild family reunification
As explained in section 3.4, stepchildren are generally covered by Art. 42 para. 1 AIG, provided that the stepchild relationship is based on the legally valid marriage/registered partnership with the foreign spouse and that the care/custody allows for family reunification.
Practical requirements:
Marriage certificate / registered partnership certificate documenting the stepchild relationship.
Birth certificate of the stepchild.
Custody ruling / consent declaration from the other biological parent remaining abroad (in cases of joint custody).
In the event of the death of the other biological parent: death certificate.
5.2 Adoption by the Swiss national
When a Swiss person adopts a foreign child under the Hague Adoption Convention (HAÜ) or under Swiss law (Swiss Civil Code, Art. 264 ff.), the child generally acquires Swiss citizenship by adoption (Swiss Citizenship Act, Art. 4) if the adoption takes place while the child is a minor. This means that there is no question of family reunification under Art. 42 of the Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration (FNIA) – the adopted child is itself a Swiss national.
In the case of adult adoption or non-recognised foreign adoption, the situation can be more complex. VERIFY the specific case with the lawyer of record.
5.3 Children with their own third-country status
If the foreign spouse of a Swiss national brings their own minor children from a previous relationship, who are not stepchildren of the Swiss national in the legal sense (for example, because the stepchild relationship has not yet been established by the Swiss marriage), these children are legally covered by the family reunification of the foreign spouse according to Fedlex·Art. 44 AIG, as soon as they have a B permit — or according to Art. 42 para. 1 AIG, if the stepchild relationship is formally established by the marriage.
HARD GLOSSARY — non-negotiable Swiss federal codes / agency names.
"AIG" → "FNIA"
"Ausländer- und Integrationsgesetz" → "Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration"
"VZAE" → "OASA"
"BüG" → "SCA"
"Bürgerrechtsgesetz" → "Swiss Citizenship Act"
"FZA" → "AFMP"
"Freizügigkeitsabkommen" → "Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons"
"AsylG" → "AsylA"
"Asylgesetz" → "Asylum Act"
"nDSG" → "revFADP"
"DSG" → "FADP"
"SEM" → "SEM"
"Staatssekretariat für Migration" → "State Secretariat for Migration"
Art. 47 FNIA sets strict deadlines for family reunification:
Spouse and children under 12 years of age: Application must be submitted within 5 years of the right to family reunification arising.
Children between the ages of 12 and 18: Application must be submitted within 12 months of the right arising.
Subsequent claim: only in cases of important family reasons (Art. 47 para. 4 LEI/LStrI/FNIA; BGE 137 II 393; BGE 146 I 185).
6.1 Commencement of the deadline in cases of family reunification by a Swiss national
When a Swiss national applies for family reunification, the start of the deadline must be analysed in particular from a dogmatic point of view, as the Swiss national does not have a permit in the immigration law sense (they are Swiss by birth or through naturalisation):
In the case of marriage to a Swiss national, the 5-year period under Fedlex·Art. 47 AIG begins with the marriage ceremony.
In the case of the birth of a child who does not automatically become a Swiss citizen (a very rare situation – see section 8 on the general principle of automatic citizenship): upon birth.
In the event of naturalisation of the formerly foreign national anchor person during an existing marriage: as of the date of naturalisation (Federal Supreme Court 2C_887/2014).
Important: When marrying a Swiss national, there is no requirement for a permit to be linked to a previous foreign status, as stipulated in Fedlex·Art. 47 AIG. In the past, practice has therefore sometimes developed in such a way that, when marrying a Swiss national, the strict 5-year deadline for subsequent application does not apply – however, a longer separation of residences before the application is submitted may be taken into account as an indication of a sham marriage in the overall assessment.
VERIFY: The current practice of the SEM and the case law of the Federal Supreme Court regarding the application of Article 47 in cases falling under Article 42 should be clarified with the lawyer of record.
6.2 Consequences of missing the deadline
If the application is not submitted within the prescribed period, the family reunification will be rejected, unless there are important family reasons within the meaning of Art. 47 para. 4 AIG (e.g. care/supervision needs that have arisen subsequently, or the loss of the supporting parent in the country of origin).
Cross-reference to the discussion of Article 47 in the context of dissolution: life-events/le_divorce_art50.md.
HARD GLOSSARY — non-negotiable Swiss federal codes / agency names.
"AIG" → "FNIA"
"Ausländer- und Integrationsgesetz" → "Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration"
"VZAE" → "OASA"
"BüG" → "SCA"
"Bürgerrechtsgesetz" → "Swiss Citizenship Act"
"FZA" → "AFMP"
"Freizügigkeitsabkommen" → "Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons"
"AsylG" → "AsylA"
"Asylgesetz" → "Asylum Act"
"nDSG" → "revFADP"
"DSG" → "FADP"
"SEM" → "SEM"
"Staatssekretariat für Migration" → "State Secretariat for Migration"
Marriage registration at the civil registry office at the place of residence of one of the spouses; preliminary proceedings involving document review. The civil registry office checks, within the scope of its jurisdiction, in accordance with Art. 97a of the Swiss Civil Code (prohibition of circumvention). Detailed description of the procedure – appointments, fees, visa requirements for fiancés from third countries: life-events/le_marriage_to_swiss.md.
7.2 Marriage abroad — recognition in Switzerland
Legal basis: Art. 45 IPRG (SR 291) and Fedlex·Art. 32 ZGB. A marriage validly concluded abroad is generally recognised in Switzerland, provided that (a) it is formally valid according to the law of the country in which it was concluded and (b) it does not violate public policy (child marriages, polygamy and forced marriages are not recognised).
Procedure: Foreign marriage certificate with apostille (Hague Convention) or consular certification; registration in the Swiss Register of Civil Status (Infostar) via the Swiss foreign representation or the civil registry office at the place of residence. Only after recognition and registration is the marriage legally "existent" for the purposes of Fedlex·Art. 42 AIG.
Religious / cultural / traditional marriages without state registration in the country of origin are not recognised as marriages in Switzerland. A civil registration is essential.
Country-specific practices (apostille procedure, authenticity checks): VERIFY with the relevant Swiss foreign representation. Third countries with a high risk of document forgery are subject to more in-depth checks, which can take months.
7.3 Third-country nationals who are engaged to be married and require a visa
Anyone entering Switzerland from a visa-requiring third country for the purpose of marriage must apply for a national visa (Type D) for marriage preparation at the Swiss foreign representation. A tourist visa (Type C) is not compatible with this purpose. VERIFY SEM practice. Details: life-events/le_marriage_to_swiss.md.
HARD GLOSSARY — non-negotiable Swiss federal codes / agency names.
"AIG" → "FNIA"
"Ausländer- und Integrationsgesetz" → "Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration"
"VZAE" → "OASA"
"BüG" → "SCA"
"Bürgerrechtsgesetz" → "Swiss Citizenship Act"
"FZA" → "AFMP"
"Freizügigkeitsabkommen" → "Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons"
"AsylG" → "AsylA"
"Asylgesetz" → "Asylum Act"
"nDSG" → "revFADP"
"DSG" → "FADP"
"SEM" → "SEM"
"Staatssekretariat für Migration" → "State Secretariat for Migration"
8. Children from a marriage — automatic Swiss citizenship
8.1 SCA Art. 1 — Acquisition by descent
Art. 1 of the Swiss Citizenship Act (SCA, SR 141.0): A person is a Swiss citizen from birth if one of their parents is a Swiss citizen. The birth itself triggers the acquisition of citizenship, regardless of the place of birth (domestic or foreign) and regardless of the marital status of the parents.
Consequences for family reunification: Children from a marriage with a Swiss national are themselves Swiss. They are therefore not subject to the family reunification regime under Fedlex·Art. 42 AIG – they are not a “foreign family member”, but Swiss citizens with all rights (right of residence, right to work, voting rights, etc.).
8.2 Practical consequences
Birth registration with the Swiss foreign representation (in the case of birth abroad) or with the civil registry office at the place of birth (in the case of birth in Switzerland).
Registration in the Swiss Register of Residents.
A Swiss passport/identity card can be applied for.
Cross-link: life-events/le_birth_to_permit_holder.md (for births involving parents who are permit holders – a different scenario from this one; in the case of Swiss parents, SCA Art. 1 applies automatically).
8.3 Dual Nationality
Since the SCA reform of 1992 (currently regulated in SCA, SR 141.0), Switzerland allows dual nationality. Children of a Swiss-foreign marriage therefore regularly acquire, in addition, the nationality of the foreign parent, provided that the parent's home country law provides for this (for example, according to the principle of descent).
HARD GLOSSARY — non-negotiable Swiss federal codes / agency names.
"AIG" → "FNIA"
"Ausländer- und Integrationsgesetz" → "Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration"
"VZAE" → "OASA"
"BüG" → "SCA"
"Bürgerrechtsgesetz" → "Swiss Citizenship Act"
"FZA" → "AFMP"
"Freizügigkeitsabkommen" → "Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons"
"AsylG" → "AsylA"
"Asylgesetz" → "Asylum Act"
"nDSG" → "revFADP"
"DSG" → "FADP"
"SEM" → "SEM"
"Staatssekretariat für Migration" → "State Secretariat for Migration"
9. Family reunification — special case under Art. 42 para. 2 LEI/LStrI/FNIA
9.1 Existing legal framework
Art. 42 para. 2 LEI/LStrI/FNIA limits the right of parents to join their children (or the right of relatives in the ascending line of the Swiss national) to the following situation:
The parents must “hold a permanent residence permit issued by a state with which an agreement on the free movement of persons has been concluded” — i.e. an EU or EFTA state.
They must “provide maintenance” — i.e. the Swiss person must provide actual maintenance. A mere potential, abstract obligation to provide maintenance is not sufficient.
9.2 Parents from third countries without an AFMP permit
For parents from third countries only (e.g. from Kosovo, Sri Lanka, Eritrea, without permanent EU/EFTA residence), Art. 42 para. 2 LEI/LStrI/FNIA provides no legal entitlement. The following options can be discussed in this case:
Art. 30 para. 1 lit. b LEI/LStrI/FNIA (hardship case): serious personal hardship case. The SEM applies a very strict interpretation. Cross-link: life-events/le_haertefall_art30.md.
Art. 8 ECHR (right to respect for family life): according to established case law of the Federal Supreme Court, this applies to adult relatives in the ascending line only in cases of special dependency (need for care, lack of alternative care options in the country of origin — BGE 144 II 1; BGer 2C_780/2018). High threshold.
9.3 Practice
The granting of permission for family reunification from third countries only is rare in practice and is at the discretion of the SEM or the cantonal authorities. VERIFY: current SEM guidelines (Chapter 6, AIG guidelines) and cantonal approval statistics.
Anti-scope: SIP-v3 does not provide strategic advice on the preparation of applications for family reunification, no success forecasts, and no advice on providing evidence of care needs. These issues necessarily require an individual attorney-client relationship with a lawyer of record.
HARD GLOSSARY — non-negotiable Swiss federal codes / agency names.
"AIG" → "FNIA"
"Ausländer- und Integrationsgesetz" → "Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration"
"VZAE" → "OASA"
"BüG" → "SCA"
"Bürgerrechtsgesetz" → "Swiss Citizenship Act"
"FZA" → "AFMP"
"Freizügigkeitsabkommen" → "Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons"
"AsylG" → "AsylA"
"Asylgesetz" → "Asylum Act"
"nDSG" → "revFADP"
"DSG" → "FADP"
"SEM" → "SEM"
"Staatssekretariat für Migration" → "State Secretariat for Migration"
10. Sham marriage and sham partnership — Art. 51 LEI/LStrI/FNIA and Art. 97a ZGB
10.1 Legal basis
Art. 97a ZGB prohibits the circumvention of immigration law through marriage: the civil registrar will not process the application if it is obvious that the bride or groom does not intend to establish a common household, but rather seeks to circumvent the immigration regulations.
Art. 51 para. 1 lit. a LEI/LStrI/FNIA: The claims under Art. 42 shall lapse if they are asserted in an abusive manner.
10.2 Federal Supreme Court case law (BGE 137 II 281; BGer 2C_177/2013)
Age difference, short duration of acquaintance, circumstances of how they met, threat of removal, lack of communication, lack of community after the marriage, payment, rapid separation after the permit is granted, contradictory statements, lack of social integration. A holistic assessment is required.
10.3 Legal consequences
Before the marriage: refusal to grant permission (Fedlex·Art. 97a ZGB). After permission has been granted: revocation (Fedlex·Art. 51 AIG i. V. m. Art. 62/63 AIG), removal, entry ban, and, if applicable, criminal consequences (Fedlex·Art. 118 AIG).
10.4 Anti-Scope
SIP-v3 does not explicitly provide advice on “avoiding the indicators of a sham marriage”. The indicators are presented as factual information derived from case law, not as strategic guidance. Individual advice is only provided by a lawyer registered with the FAC.
11. Early settlement permit C under Art. 42 para. 3 AIG
After 5 years of lawful and uninterrupted residence, the spouse of a Swiss national is entitled to a C settlement permit, provided that the integration criteria under Fedlex·Art. 58a AIG are met. Further details in Fedlex·Art. 60a VZAE:
Language: B1 oral + A1 written in the local language spoken at the place of residence (easier than the standard case, which requires B1 oral + A2 written — specific facilitation for the family of a Swiss national).
Respect for public safety and order; no significant reliance on social welfare.
Willingness to participate in economic life or to acquire education (Art. 58a para. 1 lit. d LEI/LStrI/FNIA).
Respect for the values of the Federal Constitution (Art. 58a para. 1 lit. a FNIA).
Application to the cantonal migration office approximately 3 months before the end of the fifth year of residence. To be enclosed: proof of language skills, criminal record extract, confirmation of receipt of social assistance, certificate of residence, marriage certificate. The processing time is typically 2–4 months. VERIFY with the relevant canton.
Standard settlement after 10 years (Art. 34 AIG): Those who do not meet the requirements for early settlement (e.g. due to lack of language proficiency) can apply for the C permit after 10 years of uninterrupted B permit in the ordinary procedure. Integration criteria must also be met in this case.
HARD GLOSSARY — non-negotiable Swiss federal codes / agency names.
"AIG" → "FNIA"
"Ausländer- und Integrationsgesetz" → "Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration"
"VZAE" → "OASA"
"BüG" → "SCA"
"Bürgerrechtsgesetz" → "Swiss Citizenship Act"
"FZA" → "AFMP"
"Freizügigkeitsabkommen" → "Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons"
"AsylG" → "AsylA"
"Asylgesetz" → "Asylum Act"
"nDSG" → "revFADP"
"DSG" → "FADP"
"SEM" → "SEM"
"Staatssekretariat für Migration" → "State Secretariat for Migration"
No social welfare claims in the last 3 years (hardship case exception).
No relevant criminal convictions (thresholds apply, see SCA).
12.3 Procedure
Application to the SEM; cantonal/municipal reports; naturalisation ruling. The processing time is typically 12–24 months. VERIFY the current status with the SEM. Cross-link: framework/fw_bug_2018_glossary.md.
12.4 Termination before naturalisation
If the dissolution occurs before completion, the grounds for facilitated naturalisation no longer apply; ordinary naturalisation after 10 years (Art. 9 SCA) remains possible. A naturalisation obtained through abuse of law may be declared invalid (Art. 36 SCA; time limit 8 years).
HARD GLOSSARY — non-negotiable Swiss federal codes / agency names.
"AIG" → "FNIA"
"Ausländer- und Integrationsgesetz" → "Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration"
"VZAE" → "OASA"
"BüG" → "SCA"
"Bürgerrechtsgesetz" → "Swiss Citizenship Act"
"FZA" → "AFMP"
"Freizügigkeitsabkommen" → "Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons"
"AsylG" → "AsylA"
"Asylgesetz" → "Asylum Act"
"nDSG" → "revFADP"
"DSG" → "FADP"
"SEM" → "SEM"
"Staatssekretariat für Migration" → "State Secretariat for Migration"
13. Dissolution of the marriage — Art. 50 LEI/LStrI/FNIA and consequences for the B residence permit
13.1 Basic principle
Upon dissolution of the marital community (separation, divorce, death of the Swiss national), the connection point of Fedlex·Art. 42 AIG ceases to exist. The foreign national is not automatically without a residence permit – Fedlex·Art. 50 AIG allows for the continuation of the permit under certain conditions.
13.2 Art. 50 FNIA — Requirements
Spouse with at least 3 years of marital cohabitation in Switzerland + successful integration (Art. 50 para. 1 lit. a LEI/LStrI/FNIA); or
Important personal reasons (Art. 50 para. 1 lit. b LEI/LStrI/FNIA): domestic violence, need for protection, social reintegration in the country of origin at risk, death of the Swiss national.
13.3 Cross-Link
Detail regarding Art. 50 LEI/LStrI/FNIA (3-year deadline, integration criteria, evidentiary requirements in cases of domestic violence): life-events/le_divorce_art50.md.
HARD GLOSSARY — non-negotiable Swiss federal codes / agency names.
"AIG" → "FNIA"
"Ausländer- und Integrationsgesetz" → "Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration"
"VZAE" → "OASA"
"BüG" → "SCA"
"Bürgerrechtsgesetz" → "Swiss Citizenship Act"
"FZA" → "AFMP"
"Freizügigkeitsabkommen" → "Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons"
"AsylG" → "AsylA"
"Asylgesetz" → "Asylum Act"
"nDSG" → "revFADP"
"DSG" → "FADP"
"SEM" → "SEM"
"Staatssekretariat für Migration" → "State Secretariat for Migration"
14. Loss of Swiss citizenship of the anchor person
The Swiss citizenship of the main applicant may, in rare cases, be lost (Art. 36 SCA: declaration of nullity; Art. 37 SCA: release; Art. 41 SCA: withdrawal in the case of dual citizenship where there is a serious impairment of the interests/reputation of Switzerland). In these cases, the reference point for Art. 42 LEI/LStrI/FNIA ceases to apply with effect from the moment of the event.
The existing B permit of the foreign spouse generally remains in place, but it will be reassessed at the next renewal — possibly with a change in the legal basis (e.g. if the Swiss person now primarily exercises a previous nationality, thus creating a third-country situation). VERIFY: SEM practice and the Federal Supreme Court’s case law in this very rare situation.
HARD GLOSSARY — non-negotiable Swiss federal codes / agency names.
"AIG" → "FNIA"
"Ausländer- und Integrationsgesetz" → "Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration"
"VZAE" → "OASA"
"BüG" → "SCA"
"Bürgerrechtsgesetz" → "Swiss Citizenship Act"
"FZA" → "AFMP"
"Freizügigkeitsabkommen" → "Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons"
"AsylG" → "AsylA"
"Asylgesetz" → "Asylum Act"
"nDSG" → "revFADP"
"DSG" → "FADP"
"SEM" → "SEM"
"Staatssekretariat für Migration" → "State Secretariat for Migration"
SIP-v3 does NOT provide advice in the following areas within the present module:
Eligibility assessment in the specific individual case (prediction of whether a specific application will be approved or not).
Marriage strategy (choice of marriage venue, timing, and form of ceremony with a view to the chances of obtaining a permit).
Optimisation of the recognition process for foreign marriages (which apostille option is faster, etc. — for country-specific detailed questions).
Formulation of the application for family reunification under Article 42(2) of the AIG or in cases of hardship under Article 30 of the AIG.
Strategy to avoid indications of sham marriage (see section 10.4 – expressly excluded).
Likelihood of success in a subsequent application for family reunification after the deadline has expired (Art. 47 para. 4 LEI/LStrI/FNIA).
Conduct of proceedings in revocation proceedings pursuant to Art. 51/63 AIG or in the event of criminal consequences pursuant to Fedlex·Art. 118 AIG.
For all these questions, individual advice from a lawyer registered in the cantonal bar register is absolutely essential – see the cantonal bar association search or the bar register check on the websites of the cantons.
HARD GLOSSARY — non-negotiable Swiss federal codes / agency names.
"AIG" → "FNIA"
"Ausländer- und Integrationsgesetz" → "Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration"
"VZAE" → "OASA"
"BüG" → "SCA"
"Bürgerrechtsgesetz" → "Swiss Citizenship Act"
"FZA" → "AFMP"
"Freizügigkeitsabkommen" → "Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons"
"AsylG" → "AsylA"
"Asylgesetz" → "Asylum Act"
"nDSG" → "revFADP"
"DSG" → "FADP"
"SEM" → "SEM"
"Staatssekretariat für Migration" → "State Secretariat for Migration"
life-events/le_marriage_to_swiss.md — pre- and post-marriage procedure with a Swiss national (civil registry office, visa requirements, documents).
life-events/le_divorce_art50.md — Consequences of separation/divorce for the B residence permit under Fedlex·Art. 42 AIG.
life-events/le_birth_to_permit_holder.md — Birth of a child (different point of reference: here, the permit holder; in the case of a Swiss parent, the SCA Art. 1 applies automatically).
life-events/le_death_of_permit_holder.md — Death of the main permit holder; in the case of a Swiss main permit holder, Article 50 of the Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration (FNIA) applies, concerning “important personal reasons”.
life-events/le_haertefall_art30.md — Hardship case permit in the absence of a legal entitlement.
permits/permit_b_resident.md — the resulting B residence permit category in detail.
permits/permit_ci_io_dependents.md — the Ci permit, which was incorrectly used for the families of Swiss nationals; it is in fact only for the accompanying family members of international organisation (IO) staff.
framework/fw_aig_vzae_glossary.md — AIG and OASA terminology and standard overview.
framework/fw_bug_2018_glossary.md — SCA terminology, naturalisation procedure, detailed provisions of the Ordinance on the Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration.
HARD GLOSSARY — non-negotiable Swiss federal codes / agency names.
"AIG" → "FNIA"
"Ausländer- und Integrationsgesetz" → "Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration"
"VZAE" → "OASA"
"BüG" → "SCA"
"Bürgerrechtsgesetz" → "Swiss Citizenship Act"
"FZA" → "AFMP"
"Freizügigkeitsabkommen" → "Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons"
"AsylG" → "AsylA"
"Asylgesetz" → "Asylum Act"
"nDSG" → "revFADP"
"DSG" → "FADP"
"SEM" → "SEM"
"Staatssekretariat für Migration" → "State Secretariat for Migration"
AIG SR 142.20 — Art. 30 (hardship case); Art. 42 (family reunification of Swiss nationals); Art. 43 (family reunification of C permit holders); Art. 44 (family reunification of B permit holders from third countries); Art. 47 (deadline); Art. 49 (important reasons for non-cohabitation); Art. 50 (dissolution); Art. 51 (lapse); Art. 52 (equal treatment with PartG); Art. 58a (integration criteria); Art. 62/63 (revocation); Art. 118 (fraud).
VZAE SR 142.201 — Art. 60a (Proof of language skills for early settlement); Art. 73–77 (Family reunification procedure); Art. 77d (Exemptions from the requirement to provide proof of language skills).
ZGB SR 210 — Art. 45 (marriage); Art. 97a (circumvention of immigration law); Art. 159 ff. (effects of marriage); Art. 264 ff. (adoption).
SCA SR 141.0 — Art. 1 (Acquisition by descent); Art. 4 (Adoption); Art. 9 (ordinary naturalisation); Art. 12 (integration criteria); Art. 21 (facilitated naturalisation for spouse of a Swiss national); Art. 36 (annulment); Art. 37, 41 (discharge/revocation).
PartG SR 211.231 — registered partnership.
IPRG SR 291 — Art. 45 ff. (Recognition of foreign marriages).
Case law
BGE 137 II 281 — circumstantial evidence of a sham marriage.
BGE 130 II 113 — established marital relationship.
BGE 137 II 393; BGE 146 I 185 — important family reasons, Art. 47 para. 4 LEI/LStrI/FNIA.
BGE 144 II 1 — Art. 8 ECHR, adult relatives; relationship of dependence.
BGer 2C_177/2013 — Examination of the indicia of a sham marriage.
BGer 2C_887/2014 — Start of the time limit for family reunification following naturalisation.
BGer 2C_780/2018 — Family reunification, Article 8 ECHR, third-country national.
Status: AI draft, subject to review by the supervising lawyer of record (CLR — Lawyer-of-Record). In the event of discrepancies between the present content and the current wording of Fedlex or the SEM’s practice, the official source shall prevail.
As of: 01.06.2026 · Snapshot
Reflects the cited law as of the snapshot — not a check of current force.
