Liechtenstein Information
Joined: 13 Oct 2006
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Home Country: liechtenstein
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 Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 6:49 am Post subject: RESIDENCE VISA IN LIECHTENSTEIN |
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RESIDENCE VISA IN LIECHTENSTEIN
Regulations for EU-citizens and Non-EU-nationals
If you want to live or work in Liechtenstein, you will probably need a residence permit. Regulations depend on your country of origin and other factors.
Eventually, EU-citizens will have complete freedom of movement within Liechtenstein and vice versa.
However, during a transitional period until 31 May 2007, Liechtenstein can and probably will continue to allocate work permits according to quotas. On 1 June 2007, all quotas for EU citizens desiring to work in Liechtenstein will be suspended (but Liechtenstein retains the right to reintroduce quotas until 2012 if immigration becomes unexpectedly high).
For EU-citizens, this means that until 2007 you still need a residence permit and a work permit, and you are still subject to the quota system. However, the procedure for delivering these official documents has been simplified.
New EU Residency and Work Permits
The bilateral agreement on the free movement of persons provides for short-term residency permits (up to 364 days) and five-year residency permits.
1) Short-term residency permit (L-EC/EFTA)
Short-term residency permits L (Kurzaufenthaltsbewilligung EG) are issued to employees with fixed-term employment contracts for less than 12 months and, in many cases, to ‘non-active persons’ (i.e. students and pensioners).
If you are going to work, your employer should make a request for a short-term residence permit to the cantonal labour market authorities. You will receive a short-term residence permit valid for the duration of your employment contract.
On presentation of a new employment contract, you can apply for a new short-term residency permit. This can be done without leaving Liechtenstein. If your employment continues or you find a new job after the first year, the short-term permit can be renewed.
Note that an L-EC permit gives you the right to bring your family to Liechtenstein.
(2) B residency permit (B-EC/EFTA)
If you have a fixed-term employment contract for a year or longer or permanent contract in Liechtenstein, you can obtain a B permit, which is valid for five years. (Dauer-Aufenthaltsbewilligung EG/permis de séjour). The B-EC permit guarantees professional and geographical mobility, allowing you to get a new job, change your place of work or become self-employed.
To obtain this permit, you need to take the same steps for obtaining a short-term residency permit (see above). On presentation of an employment contract for a year or longer, your residency permit will be extended for a further five year period. The extension may, however, be limited to a year if you have been unemployed, against your will, for more than twelve months in succession.
(3) Settlement C permit (C-EC/EFTA)
After having lived in Liechtenstein for 5 years, your B permit will be converted into a C permit (Niederlassungsbewilligung EG/permis d’établissement C). This permit gives unrestricted access to the labour market. You don’t require permission to change jobs, your canton of residence or work or to set up your own business. The C permit can be renewed every 5 years indefinitely.
(4) Border crossing G permit (G-EC/EFTA)
A G permit (Grenzgängerbewilligung, permis frontalier) is issued to people living in another country but working in Liechtenstein. There are many people commuting to Liechtenstein for work, as the cost of living in neighbouring countries is significantly lower than in Liechtenstein.
Unlike L, B and C permits, a G permit doesn’t entitle you to residential rights in Liechtenstein. A G permit cannot be converted into a residential permit.
Since 2002, there have been some changes in the border zone restrictions for G permits:
* Residence for a period of six months in the cross-border region is no longer required.
* All EU citizens now have access to the cross-border commuter status (which is no longer exclusively available to nationals from neighbouring countries to Liechtenstein).
* You do not have to return home on a daily basis but only once a week. This makes it possible to stay in Liechtenstein from Monday to Friday and only go abroad during weekends.
* If you have an employment contract for at least a year, you will receive a cross−border commuter permit for five years instead of one year.
* You now also have the possibility to set up your own business in Liechtenstein.
* In connection with your work, you are allowed to acquire a second home as well as work space in Liechtenstein.
Self-employment
Your status as a European citizen, theoretically gives you the right to settle in Liechtenstein and to set up your own business, provided that you do so assuming full responsibility and at your own risk. Regulations are different depending on whether you have an L or a B permit. For more information, go to the website of the Federal Office of Immigration, Integration and Emigration.
If you are looking for work in Liechtenstein
If you are looking for work in Liechtenstein, you do not need a residence permit for a stay up to 3 months long. If your job search lasts longer than three months (or if you are exporting your unemployment benefits), you have to apply to your commune of stay for a residence permit, which is valid for another three months period, for the purpose of looking for work. These permits are not subject to quotas.
Non-EU residents
Since the Liechtenstein-EU bilateral agreement for free labour movement, non-EU-citizens can only get a Liechtenstein work permit if their future employer proves there is no Liechtenstein or EU national available to do the job.
However, there are exceptions to this rule for highly qualified specialists and top executives. If you do get a work permit, this will usually be defined in your residence permit.
The types of residence permits for non-EU citizens are very similar to the permits given out to EU nationals, only that they are harder obtain and to renew.
(1) Short-term residence permit (L-Permit)
A short-term residence permit L ( Kurzaufenthaltsbewilligung EG) is valid for up to one year and can be renewed. It is linked to a specific job and company and you may not be granted a new permit if you change jobs. After 24 months the residence permit ends definitively.
(2) B residence permit (B-Permit)
A B-Permit is normally valid for one year and can be renewed. To Non-EU-nationals, it is only issued in specific circumstances (i.e. if you’re a highly trained specialist in a profession where there’s currently a shortage of qualified people from Liechtenstein or the EU).
(3) Settlement C permit (C-Permit)
A C-Permit is given out for permanent residency in Liechtenstein and can be renewed indefinitely. To Non-EU-citizens, it is normally only given out after 10 years of residency in Liechtenstein. There are some exceptions for spouses of Liechtenstein citizens and other groups. The C-Permit allows you to freely change jobs, employers and/or become self-employed.
(4) Border crossing G permit (G-Permit)
A G permit ( Grenzgängerbewilligung/permis frontalier) is issued to people living in another country but working in Liechtenstein. There are many people commuting to Liechtenstein for work, as the cost of living in neighbouring countries is significantly lower than in Liechtenstein. Unlike L, B and C permits, a G permit doesn’t entitle you to any residential rights in Liechtenstein. A G permit is renewed annually and cannot be converted into a residential permit. |
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