Temporary stay abroad

Non-EU/EFTA with visa requirement

More than 6 months abroad or residence permit expires abroad:

If you are abroad for more than 6 months or your residence permit expires while you are away, you must go through the entire visa process again. This does not change if you return to Switzerland for a (few) day(s) in between.

• Deregister at the external page resident's office before you leave.
• Important: Apply for a new visa before entering the country.
  

Less than 6 months abroad with a valid residence permit:

Provided you maintain your residence and health insurance in Switzerland, your residence permit remains valid during your stay abroad.

• In this case, you do not need to do anything special before departure.

Residence permit is still in the process of renewal:

If you want to travel abroad and your residence permit has not yet been renewed, you can apply for a re-entry visa before you leave.

• Apply for a external page return visa at the Migration Office before departure.

Further information are available in the directive: external page issue of a return visa (only available in German).

EU/EFTA / Non-EU/EFTA without visa requirement

More than 6 months abroad or residence permit expires abroad:

Your Swiss permit will expire during your absence and will require renewal upon your return. Returning for a few days or weeks does not change the fact that it counts as an absence.

• Deregister with the external page Resident's office before you leave.
• Apply for a new residence permit after your return to Switzerland.
• Please note: It is not possible to renew your residence permit without having a Swiss address or without being in Switzerland/Zurich in person.

Less than 6 months abroad with a valid residence permit:

As long as you maintain your residency and health insurance in Switzerland, your residency permit will still be valid while you are abroad.

• You can report your temporary absence by filling out a external page form. If a temporary absence is registered, there will be no unnecessary searches if, for example, mail cannot be delivered. However, it is not mandatory.
• Please note: The health insurance obligation and the tax obligation remain, as they only expire when you finally deregister from Zurich.