Family reunification

Which family members can join me in Switzerland?

In Switzerland you can apply for family reunification only for your spouse or recognized partner and/or your unmarried children under 18 years of age. Additionally, you have to fulfill specific conditions.

In very exceptional cases, family reunification may also be granted for other close family members (i.e. parents, siblings).

Does my permit allow me to bring my family to Switzerland?

Whether or not your family can join you ultimately depends on your legal status in Switzerland and how your family was separated.

➡️ As long as you have not received a decision on your asylum application and still hold an N permit, you cannot bring your family to Switzerland.

➡️ If you have been recognized as a refugee, granted asylum and if you hold a B or C permit, the following applies to you:

  • If you were married with your spouse or formally registered with your partner or had children before leaving your home country, your family may join you without that you fulfil additional conditions.
  • If you got married or formally registered with your partner or had children after fleeing your home country, your family may only join you if you meet certain conditions.
    • You will need to apply for family reunification within five years of obtaining your permit, and you will need to provide evidence that you:
      • have a sufficiently large apartment for the whole family;
      • are independent from social or complementary benefits and
      • have adequate financial resources to sustain your family.
  • Additionally, knowledge of the language spoken at your place of residence, or enrolment in a language course, is mandatory for your spouse reuniting with you.

➡️ If you have been granted a provisional admission and you hold an F permit, you must first wait before you can apply for family reunification. The waiting period of three years foreseen by the law has been shortened in practice based on a court decision to two years for most cases.

  • You will need to apply for family reunification within five years of obtaining your permit. However, for children older than 12 years old, you need to submit your family reunification request within 1 year of obtaining your permit. Additionally, you will have to provide evidence that you:
    • have a sufficiently large apartment for the whole family;
    • are independent from social or complementary benefits and
    • have adequate financial resources to sustain your family.
  • Additionally, knowledge of the language spoken at your place of residence, or enrolment in a language course, is mandatory for your spouse or recognized partner reuniting with you.

➡️ If you have been granted temporary protection and you hold an S permit, please refer to this dedicated page.

What steps should I take to begin the family reunification process?

Given the complexity of the Swiss legal framework for family reunification and to ensure that all time limits are met, we recommend contacting a legal counselling organization in your canton of residence for advice.

UNHCR is not able to support family reunification procedures.