Example of Obtaining a Residence Permit in Switzerland with Registration in the Canton of Ticino

Alexander E., 47 years old, a businessman from St. Petersburg. He owns a large company producing dry construction mixes and also has several stores specializing in Italian ceramic tiles.

He has a family: a wife and two daughters. The elder daughter recently became a university student in Bern, while the younger is still in school. His wife, Olga, runs an upscale Italian cosmetics store and is fluent in Italian. She frequently travels to Milan for business purposes.

Alexander sought assistance in obtaining a Swiss residence permit. His plans were quite specific: the couple wanted to establish residency specifically in the canton of Ticino. There were several reasons for this choice.

In Lugano, a city in Ticino, the couple had purchased an apartment a few years prior. Ticino is located in southwestern Switzerland, on the border with Italy, making it a predominantly Italian-speaking region—a convenient factor for Olga. Lugano is only a couple of hours' drive from Milan, which is a significant advantage for Olga’s frequent trips.

The lump-sum tax rate in Ticino is one of the lowest in Switzerland. At the time of application, it was CHF 200,000, which was less than the couple’s combined tax payments in Russia.

Important! According to Swiss law, an investor who receives a residence permit based on the lump-sum tax scheme is required to reside in their designated canton for at least 183 days a year, thereby establishing themselves as a tax resident of the country.

Being in Ticino would also allow Alexander and Olga to see their eldest daughter more often—a meaningful factor for them. Additionally, they would gain the ability to travel freely within Europe without needing visas.

Steps for Obtaining the Residence Permit

After completing the standard procedure of gathering the required documents and an initial reliability check (Due Diligence), the documents were prepared for drafting an agreement with the canton of Ticino and for undergoing the Swiss Due Diligence process. At the same time, efforts were made to establish cooperation with local lawyers.

The reliability check for the applicant took about three months in Switzerland, as the country places particular emphasis on such matters. Lawyers actively assisted in obtaining Type D entry visas for Alexander and his family, which can only be issued after successful completion of Due Diligence.

Four months after the initial request, the client and his family traveled to Switzerland. With our assistance and the support of local lawyers, they submitted their documents to the migration department of the canton of Ticino. The family also registered with the cantonal police department responsible for foreign resident control, and Alexander paid the lump-sum tax.

The original documents were reviewed by the department for nearly two months. After receiving a positive response, the family returned to Switzerland and received their residence permit cards. These cards are valid for one year and are eligible for annual renewal.

Case Outcome: The entire process took 6.5 months. Alexander and his wife successfully received their Swiss residence permit cards.