Andrey Melnichenko Faces Potential Swiss Residency Permit Revocation

Andrey Melnichenko, known as the founder of Eurochem and SUEK, faces a potential loss of his permanent residence permit in Switzerland due to extended absences from the country. Local outlets report this development, with SonntagsBlick citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter. The situation centers on Melnichenko’s registered status in the canton of Grisons, where he has long been registered but has spent many years abroad, raising questions about whether he still meets the residency conditions required for a Swiss permit. Reports indicate that discussions within the cantonal government touched on the possibility of revoking the permit, even though the majority showed support for continuing his residency under the existing framework. The core tension lies in the need for a holder of a permanent permit to maintain substantial ties to Switzerland, including physical presence and a real connection to the place of residence. If the federal process agrees with SEM’s stance, the decision would mark a significant shift in how residency rules are interpreted for ultra-wealthy individuals who spend substantial time outside the country, especially those with registered ties in a canton that has already weighed the case. The State Secretariat for Migration, known by its German acronym SEM, has reportedly signaled a refusal in this case, a position that has surprised some observers given the political support seen at the cantonal level for Melnichenko’s status. The underlying scenario involves a nuanced assessment of location, ties, and the practical implications of a long absence on the right to live in Switzerland on a permanent basis. Lawyers for Melnichenko are expected to pursue remedies through Swiss courts, aiming to challenge SEM’s reasoning and seek to preserve or restore the residence permit under applicable Swiss immigration law. The unfolding dispute highlights how Swiss policy balances legal residency rights with actual residence patterns, particularly for individuals who maintain substantial business interests in multiple jurisdictions and allocate most of their time outside Switzerland. The case remains under close watch among legal observers and business leaders who track residency policy changes affecting wealthy non-nationals and the broader implications for investment and cross-border mobility in the region, including the Grisons canton where the discussion originated. [Source: SonntagsBlick]