Moving to a new country can be scary, especially if you have to meet legal requirements and fill out a lot of paperwork. Immigrating to SwitzerlandSwitzerland is a beautiful country with a strong economy and a high standard of living, making it an attractive destination for many people worldwide. If you’re considering moving to Switzerland, you may wonder what kind of visa you need and how to get one. Our comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about immigration, from visa requirements to finding a job and settling in. Learn about the basics of Swiss immigration, tips for a smooth transition, and step-by-step instructions for obtaining a visa. Start your journey to living in Switzerland with our expert advice.
Basic Facts About Immigration to Switzerland
Switzerland is a member of the Schengen Agreement, which allows the free movement of people within the European Union (EU) and some non-EU countries. However, Switzerland is not a member of the EU, so its visa requirements may differ from those of EU countries’ work in Switzerland, all non-EU citizens need a work permit. You may be eligible for a short-term or long-term work permit, depending on your nationality and qualifications. Short-term permits are valid for up to four months and are issued for specific jobs, while long-term permits are valid for up to five years and are issued for more general employment. IN addition to work permits, there are several other types of visas that you may need to obtain depending on your situation. These include student visas, family reunification visas, and retirement visas. Each visa type has its requirements and application process, so it’s important to research thoroughly and understand what you need before beginning the application process.
Visa Requirements for Switzerland
Non-EU citizens must have a valid passport for at least six months to enter Switzerland. Depending on your nationality, you may also need a visa to enter Switzerland. The visa requirements for Switzerland vary depending on your nationality, the purpose of your visit, and the length of your stay.If you plan to stay in Switzerland for up to 90 days within six months, you may not need a visa, depending on your nationality. Citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and many other countries are exempt from visa requirements for short-term stays. However, if you plan to work or study in Switzerland, you will need a visa regardless of the length of your stay. To obtain a visa for Switzerland, you must provide several documents, including a valid passport, proof of financial means, proof of health insurance, and a letter of invitation, if applicable. You may also need to provide additional documents depending on the type of visa you are applying for. It’s important to research thoroughly and understand the specific requirements for your visa application before beginning the process.
How to Apply for a Visa for Switzerland
The application process for a visa to Switzerland can vary depending on your nationality and the purpose of your visit. You must submit your application and required documents to your home country’s Swiss embassy or consulate. Some countries may also allow you to apply online.The visa application process can take several weeks or even months, so it’s important to begin it well before your planned travel dates. You may also be required to attend an interview at the embassy or consulate as part of the application process. Once your visa application has been approved, you will receive a visa sticker in your passport. The visa sticker will indicate the type of visa you have been granted and the length of your stay in Switzerland visa is a permit to enter, transit, or remain in a country where the visa holder does not have citizenship or the right to remain based on another form of permanent residence permit. A visa is typically issued for a limited duration and must be obtained before entering the destination country. A visa encompasses a single nation or a group of nations, such as the EU, EFTA states, or Schengen states (European Union currently excludes Ireland, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, and Cyprus, but includes Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Norway, Island, Monaco, San Marino, and the Vatican). Schengen generally provides:
- Free movement of citizens within Schengen countries
- Harmonization of entry requirements
- Rules for visas for brief stays (up to 90 days)
This article addresses the work visa (=work permit) concept in Switzerland, which refers to inbound labor activities. Each of Switzerland’s 26 political subregions (=cantons) has its own migration authorities. Although the regulations are based on federal law, specifically the Foreigners Act, cantonal procedures for managing migration issues may vary slightly.
Travel for business to Switzerland
Foreigners (EU/EUFTA and third-country nationals) can work in Switzerland for up to eight days per calendar year without a work permit or the notification procedure described below. This exemption only applies if the business travel was originally scheduled for at least eight days. For EU/EFTA employers, the eight days are tallied on both a personal and company level, whereas for non-EU/EFTA employers, the eight days are only counted on a personal level. Certain industries, such as construction, cleaning, and personal services, are exempt; however, all other cases require a notification or work permit on the first day of employment.
EU/EFTA Citizens
EU/EFTA nationals who a Swiss employer employs have the legal right to obtain a Swiss work authorization. To prevent violations of immigration law, the Swiss migration authorities verify the employer’s economic substance (e.g., own space, sustainable gainful activity). The notification procedure may be applied to EU/EFTA nationals on assignments lasting up to 90 working days per calendar year (no employment with a Swiss-domiciled company). With the 90-day notification procedure, the Swiss labor market authorities can be notified online to grant a work permit (the cantonal authority is responsible). This procedure requires both extensive paperwork and a formal application process. Nonetheless, compliance with labor law regulations and payment of a minimum or market-comparable wage is required. A notification must be provided eight days before the beginning of the assignment. Always, the notification is restricted to the project or workplace.
- Also, the EU/EFTA rules generally apply to non-EU/EFTA nationals with a valid work permit in an EU/EFTA country for more than 12 months (e.g., 90 days notification procedure is applicable).
- Up to eight calendar days of business travel per company and employee are exempt from the registration requirements.
- Client meetings and contract negotiations are not subject to registration requirements, whereas on-the-job training, apprenticeships, and project-related work are.
- The free movement agreement does not cover assignments of more than 90 working days per calendar year, so the same regulations as for non-EU/EFTA nationals apply (see hereafter).
- Since January 1, 2021, British nationals have been regarded as non-EU/EFTA nationals, and the corresponding regulations apply. EU/EFTA rules may continue to apply if the project/work situation existed before this date.
Non-EU/EFTA Citizens
Since January 1, 2021, non-EU/EFTA nationals, including British nationals, have been subject to a work permit approval process when employed locally. Employers must demonstrate that no suitable candidate was available on the Swiss and EU/EFTA labor markets. Typically, job advertisements will be posted on a job board for approximately three months. Non-EU/EFTA nationals and EU/EFTA/UK nationals assigned to Switzerland for more than 90 days per calendar year are required to obtain a formal work permit. Typically, work permits are issued for four months/120 days to 24 months. The work certificate is granted for a particular project or job site and is typically restricted to this location or canton. Both local employment and the assignment of respective nationals require conformance with Swiss market-comparable salaries and economic relevance and are granted only to employees with exceptional professional experience and executive-level credentials. There may be exemptions for intra-group transfers.
Swiss work permit
The canton grants the work permit for a specific undertaking. Changes to the project are subject to a full reapplication and, in most instances, will not be approved by cantonal authorities. Administrative personnel’s assignments can be structured to encompass multiple job sites if a local entity of the group exists (management transfer rules).Work permits are contingent on quarterly quotas allocated to cantons. Suppose one of the general requirements for obtaining a work permit is unmet (e.g., professional experience, salary level, economic significance), and the quota for a particular permit has been reached. In that case, the cantonal authority may deny a worker a work permit.
Application method
Verify the local salary and identify potential Collective Labor Agreements (https://entsendung.admin.ch/Lohnrechner/home). In addition to the market-comparable Swiss salary, per diems of CHF, 55 per day or CHF 1,000 per month must be paid. A formal secondment agreement is required as part of the filing process. All salary components must be displayed separately and in Swiss francs.
Submit the employment permit to the cantonal labor market authority. The entire work permit application process typically takes between 3 and 6 weeks. In more complex situations or if the economic relevance and educational/professional background are subject to further investigation, it may take up to eight weeks.
A) The application for a permit will only be allowed if the required criteria are met, or the quotas are exhausted. Typically, the authorities permit the filing of an objection with additional evidence of relevance, salary adjustments, etc. The labor market authority approves the permit application. Depending on the employee’s nationality and form of permit, cantonal and federal migration authorities may need to grant additional approval before the employee is authorized to work in Switzerland. The employee must register with the local government before being permitted to work (not applicable for the 120 days permit). Swiss medical health insurance coverage or evidence of coverage must be presented.
Housing Options in Switzerland
Switzerland has various housing options for immigrants, from apartments and houses to shared accommodations and student dormitories. However, housing in Switzerland can be expensive, particularly in major cities like Zurich and Geneva. If you plan to stay in Switzerland for an extended period, consider purchasing a property. Switzerland has a stable and prosperous real estate market, and property ownership can be a good long-term investment. If you need more time to be ready to buy, renting is also a popular option. Rental prices in Switzerland vary depending on the property’s location, size, and condition. It’s important to do your research and compare prices before making a decision.
Finding a Job in Switzerland
Switzerland is known for its excellent job opportunities, particularly in the banking, pharmaceutical, and technology industries. However, job competition can be fierce, particularly for non-EU/EFTA citizens.Before applying for jobs in Switzerland, it’s important to research the industry and company you’re interested in. Networking can also be an effective way to find job opportunities, particularly in smaller companies.
Conclusion
Moving to Switzerland can be fun and rewarding, but you need to know about the visa requirements and application process before you start your journey. Depending on what you want to do in Switzerland—work, study, or retire—you may need one of several different types of visas. By thoroughly researching the requirements and following the application process, you can