It´s should be permit and not Permis!Sorry...

Absentee limit is 2 years Federally.

So when you leave, you need to explain that its for a set limited period no longer than 2 yrs, and the result is that if you return within that time you're entitled to recieve your C permit back.

So we just need to go to the office cantonal de la population on Route de Chancy,fill in the forms and then explain that its for a set limited period?

nope... you find somewhere to live in Gve.. go to the office de population (i assume you kept a photocopy of your permit) ...ask for it back and tell them the address and you should get it back... with teh new address

Maybritt... Yeap , its designed for example if you take a short term posting for work outside Switzerland, but will come back to head office or whatever within 2 yrs... best to go the OdP and ask for the forms or go online and search them out (depending on your French level of course).

Good luck

As far as I recall, the "leave" period has recently been extended to 4 years.

Andrei, that is interesting. Any official text confirming that?

http://www.ge.ch/etrangers-confederes/fr/sejour/welcome.asp?rubrique=titres-de-sejour-non-ue-aele

(I found this on the Canton of Geneva website - I also have heard of 5 years for work and/or study reasons)

http://www.glocals.com/#/forums/geneva/where-how-in-geneva/Permis-C---Autorisation-d-Absence-160936.htm