Spouses and children of a Swiss citizen have the right to obtain a B permit to be able to live reunited as long as the family lives at the same address (art. 42 LEI). The same rule applies to spouses and children of a C permit holder under certain conditions (art. 43 LEI):
- the family must be living under the same roof;
- the housing arrangement must be spacious enough to house the applicants;
- the main B permit holder must not be relying on social support (“Hospice général”) and be financially independent;
- the person requesting family reunification must not be receiving any supplementary benefits (LCP).
Children under the age of 12 automatically obtain a C permit (art. 42 al. 4, 43 al. 6 LEI).
Spouses and family members of a B or L permit holder can also apply for a family reunification procedure under the same conditions previously mentionned (art. 44 LEI).
