What? I need to learn French?

This article is specifically for those that have already been approved for the family reunification visa (B) in Switzerland and is looking for further information on the language requirements needed, and the fide exams. This is not a guide on how to apply for a family reunification visa.

Disclaimer: We are not lawyers, nor are we offering legal or professional advice. We are writing based on first person experiences, to offer more clarity with the language requirements needed for those on the Swiss family reunification visa. For all official matters and latest info, please refer directly to your relevant cantonal migration office.

Contents

• What is this language requirement thing
• What level of fluency do I need to achieve?
• Which types of language certificates are recognized?
• How do I register for the FIDE exam and how much does it cost?
• How much time do I need to study to pass the exam?
• How should I start my studies?
• When do I need to submit proof of language proficiency?
• What happens if I fail the FIDE exam?

OK, so you have jumped through the hoops with all the paperwork and bureaucracy set forth by the Swiss government. You may have even received that coveted B permit in the mail and ready to pop some bottles to celebrate after the long and arduous journey we all go through to gain residence in Switzerland. But wait, there’s still that one more pesky thing to deal with – the proof of language competency to maintain that visa. Wait WHAT? Do I need to learn French? 

What is this language requirement thing and why do I need it?

Language skills is one of the important requirements demanded by the Swiss government for those seeking both residence permits (B), permanent residence permits (C) and Swiss nationality. The Swiss government wants its residents to better integrate into their life in Switzerland. The goal is to be able to communicate in everyday situations, like asking for help at the store or talking to your children’s teachers. You don’t need to learn to debate in French (unless you want to) but the bare minimum is to be able to communicate your needs in an everyday life scenario. 

If you are obtaining or extending any of the residence permits from Switzerland, you will likely need to show proof of language competency. 

Switzerland requires proof of language proficiency in one of the 3 official languages: German, French, Italian. It might go without saying but if you are obtaining residency in Geneva, a French-speaking canton, you need to speak French. If you’re in the German-speaking parts of Switzerland, you’re going to need German, etc. This proof is provided if: 

1. Your mother tongue is a national language spoken in the place of domicile, mastered in spoken and written form; or
2. You have attended compulsory schooling in a national language for a minimum of three years; or
3. You have completed upper secondary level education (apprenticeship, baccalaureate school, upper-secondary specialised school) or tertiary-level education (higher education institution) in a national language (as the language of instruction); or
4. You can present a recognised document attesting to the required language skills.

Now before we get into the nitty-gritty – what passport do you hold?

As always, which passport you hold matters, especially for the language requirements. If you already come from a French, German or Italian-speaking country, you are exempt (lucky!). Some countries have an agreement with Switzerland meaning that their citizens do not have to prove their language skills to obtain a permanent residence permit. This applies to citizens of: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Greece, and Liechtenstein. 

If you studied in either French, German or Italian in school, university and further advanced studies, and have a diploma, that is proof of the required language skills.

Some groups of people are exempt from this group, for example, unmarried children under 18 years of age, people who benefit from the provisions of the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP), certain disabilities, etc. You can refer to this site for a detailed list of that group. 

If you have never studied French, German or Italian in your life, then you have to show proof of the required language skills via point 4 aka language certificate. 

What level of fluency do I need to achieve?

Here’s a pretty clear picture from the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). For spouses on a family reunification visa, you need at least an A1 oral level.

This is SEM’s definition of A1 oral level:

• Can express their concerns in standard and practised expressions, e.g. in their home environment or when shopping.
• Can communicate in a simple manner in their personal social environment, e.g. in their hometown, at work or at their children’s school, provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help if necessary.
• Can introduce themselves and others in simple terms.
• Can give short simple answers to simple questions about personal details, e.g. where they live, or about their work or children.

Which types of language certificates are recognized?

The fide test is the certified and recognized proof of language issued by the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). The test is designed to test language skills in everyday scenarios in Switzerland. This is the recommended test for those that are simply looking to fulfil the visa requirements.

All other language certificates on the official SEM list are recognised as well.

How do I register for the FIDE exam and how much does it cost?

Here is a list of institutions in Geneva that carry out the fide exams, which you can contact them directly to sign up. You need to register at least 15 days before the exam, but in reality, the exam time slots fill up quite quickly. We would recommend signing up earlier rather than later to secure your desired exam date. Don’t leave it to the last minute! 

The entire test costs CHF 250.–. To take the oral only part costs CHF 170.–, for the written only part costs CHF 120.–. For more info on the fide exam, please refer to their website directly.

How much time do I need to study to pass the exam?

It depends on A LOT of things. Are you starting from 0 or did you take French for a year in high school? Do you have a natural aptitude for languages? Do you already speak Spanish or other romance languages? Are you confident speaking in another language? Do you have insanely good memory and can mimic sounds and phrases like a parrot? 

Generally speaking, if you’re starting from scratch, you need at least 80-150 hours to pass A1. This can take 2-6 months of studying, depending on the intensity. If you have some base, it can be quicker.

💬 My personal experience: As a native English and Mandarin speaker, I started learning French from 0 when I arrived in Geneva. I took around 5 months of intensive French classes (12 hours a week) at a traditional language school in Geneva before taking the fide exam, and received an A2 result in the oral exam. My classmates that spoke Spanish had a leg-up – French came much easier, given the similarities in the grammar and vocabulary. Other classmates that spoke completely different languages, like Japanese or Turkish, found French much harder to learn and had to spend more time learning. Being an English speaker did help a bit, as there are a surprising amount of borrowed French words in English and similar grammar concepts.

How should I start my studies?

If budget and time allows, and if you are already in Geneva, I would highly recommend finding a language school and following their curriculum. There are a plethora of schools in Geneva, of all sizes, styles, and price points. Many schools offer free trials for the first class, so you have the opportunity to ‘shop’ around and find a place that works for you. More importantly than having a structured syllabus, is the opportunity to socialize and make friends in town. It’s wonderful to be a part of a group of people struggling together.

If traditional schooling isn’t your thing, there are a zillion language learning platforms online that you can sign up to. Preply, italki, Lingoda just to name a few. These language learning platforms usually offer more flexibility with its subscription plans and 1on1 or small class learning opportunities. For me personally, the 1on1 classes really helped with the speaking, as you can’t hide behind other classmates – you’re forced to speak. These platforms often have promotions or discount codes available, so make sure to seek them out.

If you want to go the self-studying, budget route – YouTube is your best bet. There are so many great YouTube channels for French language learning, like Parlez-vous French, Learn French With Alexa, French School TV. I turn to YouTube all the time to review confusing grammar concepts, or watch French content with the subtitles, c’est génial. There are also tons of French learning podcasts, like Little Talk in Slow French, LanguaTalk Slow French, to help with listening comprehension. Watching French TV shows and movies, listening to French music, watching French tik tok/reels, is another piece of advice you hear often, which is great for more passive, immersive learning. The public library in Geneva is also an amazing resource, there are tons of textbooks and language learning modules you can borrow – all you have to do is sign up for a library card, which is free for all residents. In short, there is tons of free French content out there – all you have to do is search. 

Being that we’re in a French-speaking region, trying to use your French in day-to-day life is obviously the best way to learn and ace the exam, given that integration is the main intention. In my experience, most people I’ve encountered in Geneva are polite and if they see you’re trying to speak in French when it’s obviously not your native tongue, they will slow down and are a bit more patient. Oftentimes, they will probably switch to English, but for the sake of French learning, you must persist! It’s not easy and takes a lot of courage to speak in another language, truly. I usually will try to prepare a little ‘script’ of questions I want to ask and vocab I may encounter in advance, so I’m not going in blind. 

For the fide oral exams specifically (or any of the language exams), make sure to download old mock tests and practice, so you’re familiar with the format. 

When do I need to submit proof of language proficiency?

Good question. It depends on the Canton but usually you need to show proof of language proficiency when you are renewing your permit B, which is typically one year from the date issued on your titre de séjour (Swiss ID card). In an ideal world, you will start your language learning as soon as you find out you’re moving to Switzerland but keep in mind the one year time frame to learn and pass your language exam. 

What happens if I fail the FIDE exam?

You can take it again and again, until you pass 🙂 There’s no limit to how many times you can take it, though your wallet will definitely take a hit.