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Bern tells foreigners ‘integrate or lose permit’

The Local
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Bern tells foreigners ‘integrate or lose permit’
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Foreigners should only receive a permanent residence permit if they are well integrated in Swiss society, say MPs debating reforms to the country’s foreigners law.

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Currently most foreigners arriving in Switzerland with an employment contract are granted a B permit, which has a minimum validity of one year and can be granted for five years, before most then receive a C permit, which allows long-term residency.

However in an effort to encourage the integration of foreigners politicians want to make C permits dependent on integration, news agencies reported following a parliamentary debate on Monday.

According to parliament, that means speaking a national language, respecting public order, security and national values (such as equality between men and women) and contributing to the economy or following a training course.

Foreigners who don’t respect these conditions could have their B permit revoked entirely, while those who already have a C permit could have that swapped for a temporary B if they are not yet deemed well integrated.

Those who are long-term dependent on welfare could also have their permits revoked, even if they have been in the country for 15 years.

The new rules are still to be finalized.

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