If you want to live and work in Switzerland for more than 90 days, you require a work visa and a residence permit. However, it can be challenging to identify the right visa for your employees.
Types of Work Visas in Switzerland
Switzerland offers different work visas based on your nationality. Individuals from EU and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries have fewer restrictions and do not have foreign worker quotas.
When you apply for a Swiss visa, you receive a Schengen visa that allows you to travel to all Schengen countries. If you come from EU or EFTA countries, you can apply for one of the following visa types.
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- Permit L: this permit is suitable for individuals who want to live and work in Switzerland for less than a year. To apply, your job contract must be at least three months long and not extend beyond 12 months. The visa will match the length of your job contract.
- Permit B: this is a long-term permit suitable for job contracts extending beyond one year.
- Permit G: This visa is suitable for cross-border commuters who work in Switzerland but live in neighboring countries. Applicants must return to their main home at least once weekly.
Application Requirements for Switzerland Work Visas
Since 2015, Switzerland has made it more difficult to obtain work permits and employment visas. Specifically, the country has put quotas that limit the number of permits distributed yearly. Once the quota is reached, applicants must wait until the following year to apply. It’s also worth noting that eligibility requirements vary in member states that make up Switzerland.
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Non-EU citizens must meet more stringent requirements. For instance, they must be fluent and literate to a certain level in the state’s dominant language. The longer you want to stay, the more fluent you must be. If applying for permit B, you need to provide proof of enrolment in a language course if you don’t know all four official dialects.
Additionally, you’ll also need the following.
- Be skilled in a particular profession
- A university degree or an equivalent from a recognized learning institution
- Completed application form
- Several years of professional experience
- Original passport and copies of previous visas
- Two passport size photos
- Two blank passport pages
- Proof intent to improve social and professional development while in Switzerland
For employers, you must prove you couldn’t find a Swiss national to take up your job offer. You must also explain why you have the vacancy and prove you advertised it to Swiss nationals. Also, you must show the expected salary and social contributions related to the job contract.
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Application Process
Member states (cantons) have authority over the work visa application process, meaning fees and requirements vary from one region to another. On average, the cost of obtaining a work visa is CHF 100 or $100. You can find the application forms on the states’ websites.
During application processing, authorities look at the applicants’ age, knowledge of local and foreign languages, and plans to adapt to Swiss culture.
