It would be great if u take permit c with yourself

That C permit is revolution insurance.  It's a "plan B" if/when shit hits the fan in the US.

It's also an easy ticket back into the Swiss job market.  If you need or desire to come back to Switzerland and you don't have that permit, the employer will have to go through the justification process and try to get approval from the immigration authorities.  Many employers don't want the hassle.

Obtaining approval for another permit could be easy or it could be next to impossible depending on which way the political winds are blowing (they'll be blowing the wrong direction if unemployment rises above 5-6% here).  The SVP/UDC was a marginalized fringe political party a few years ago.  Today they are part of the mainstream Swiss political conversation; this speaks volumes about the attitude of Swiss voters toward immigration issues.

If you have the option to keep the AVS and other accounts active, I would do so.  Historically the Swiss Franc has been a much better managed currency than the US dollar.  As part of your overall wealth portfolio, some currency diversification is very prudent, IMHO.

So yes, I'd keep that permit.  It baffles me that anyone would ever want to give it up.

Thansk Richard.  You do have some valid points.  I just wasnt sure if I should make a clean break or keep my ties to Switzerland even if at this time I do not think I will ever come back here to live/work.  But, as you said, shit happens and since this is really not gonna cost me anything (except for my frozen AVS and 3rd piller stuff).  I think I will take your advise.  Thanks

@Christian you are right .. the Swiss policies are changing and who knows what may be the policy in the future.  Even if I have the US citizenship, having Swiss Permit C is definitely a plus.

Can you provide me some information on how did you go about this process?  The process seems to be quite subjective.  What should I write as the reason for wanting to freeze my Permit?

Also, did you have to file taxes in Switzerland while you were living away??

Thanks

Thats a good news that you can get out for four years and still keep your permis C...I thought it was one year....

I wonder if you can do the same with a Green card?...

anyway more choice you got better it is in our days....

I guess it would be for your benefit if you keep the permit C as the Ecopop Initiative will be coming soon, and should you decide to come back to Switzerland for whatever reasons, then your employer wont have to go to any hassles as they are going to vote for the Ecopop Initiative.

And the Swiss citizens will vote for the Ecopop Initiative am 99% sure about that.

OMG this ECOPOP thing has me LOLing right now.  I'm clicking around their site and I see overpopulation blah blah blah family planning blah blah sustainability blah blah....

Then I read the actual text of the initiative.  This is an anti-immigration initiative masquerading as green policy.  This is unquestionably the dirtiest political movement I've ever witnessed in Switzerland.  The UDC could take a lesson from this.

...and yes, I'm confident the Swiss will vote for it.

I understood that if you announce you're leaving, then you ask specifically to "frozen" your permit for 4 years..., then you are exempt to pay the health insurance.

Not the same as if you were leaving without announcing the OCP, then in practical you would still live in Switzerland, then required to pay the insurance fee.

Am I wrong?

I'm planning to go abroad for two years, but as I'm planning to come back and I want to keep my appartment I'm going to continuing paying my swiss health insurance as well as other taxes..., so I'm not going to "frozen" my permit..., in practical, I will still normally living in Switzerland.

(sorry for my bad english)

If you leave for US you need to check situation regarding AVS. You have the right to take it as a lump sum but I heard that the US tax this sum as income earned in the US.  Just a rumour but for this very reason a person (who is Swiss) refused a posting to America

@Cristina: Not so certain. You are leaving for two years.

You could (sub)let your flat with landlord /regie agreement if accepted in a  lease. You can inform OCP your C permit is "on Hold" for 24 months while you are in Far East thus securing for your future return AND still keep your swiss health insurance(unless you wish to ask insurance company for a 2 yr pause while away and resume paying when you are back). Depending on leave conditions there are particulars which you should investigate with your current insurance broker when you also provision overseas for another insurance... As to taxes please check as well. Of course if conditions are not on your side do remain as stated in your previous chat.

Hi, would definitly keep your permit C as "dormant". Getting a work permit these days for US citizen's is close to impossible... And you never know what will happen within the next 4 years... 

If I were you i would not even ask myself the question. 

Hi Alfi K,

Thanks for your answer.

I already have the agreement of the regie for subletting my appartment, but with the condition that I'm not informing the OCP.

From my point of view, the only reason for informing OCP you are leaving is to stop paying the health insurance. 

Anyway, I will go asking the OCP what they say about keeping an adress in Geneva while I'm abroad.

Easy choice mate, keep it. You lose nothing, you can always "give it back" at a later time, and while you have it - your way back into CH is easier. No brainer.