Work Permits and Visas in 2024: Your Handbook for Switzerland

Switzerland is one of the most coveted locations for living and working in Europe. It has a strong economy, a great tax system, and excellent salaries. Plus, the country ranks high on many quality of life aspects. For example, Switzerland’s Zurich ranked second on the list of best cities to live in, and Switzerland ranked 2 on the happiest country in the world list.

With nearly 20% of Switzerland’s workforce being expats, one may expect that getting a visa is a simple process. Unfortunately, the amount of visas Switzerland makes available to foreigners has lowered. Since the number of visas available is limited to 8,500 annually, many expats find themselves waiting for the next year to apply for a visa again. The requirements are also relatively high.

However, that doesn’t mean this visa is out of your reach. You should understand all the steps, visa types, and other requirements before you apply for it, and ultimately, move to Switzerland. Here is what you need to know about visas and work permits for Switzerland.

Who needs a visa for Switzerland?

Switzerland is a member of the Schengen area but not a member of the European Union. This makes it complex to understand what rules apply and to which nationalities.

Generally, since Switzerland has signed the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP), EU and EFTA residents can enter, live, and work in Switzerland for up to 90 days without requiring a visa. The employer must register you as an employee through the relevant government portal, or with local canton authorities.

However, for stays longer than 90 days, EU/EFTA residents will need a residence permit. This permit will be combined with work authorization or permits. You’ll need a valid passport and employment contract to obtain these permits.

What types of visas or permits for Switzerland can EU/EFTA residents get?

Those who want to live and work in Switzerland can apply for two types of visas. Work permits accompany visas. The type of permit you should get will depend on the length of your stay.

Types of visa for Switzerland

There are two types of visas you can apply for to live and work in Switzerland. One is a short-term visa, also known as a Schengen, or Type C, visa.

This visa allows third-country nationals to stay in Switzerland and any other country in the Schengen area. It allows stays of up to 90 days. You cannot work in Switzerland with this visa, as it is the equivalent of a travel visa. You’ll need to get an additional work permit to work while on a Type C visa.

Type D visa is the other option. It applies to longer stays and it allows you to stay in the country for more than 90 days.

Work permits in Switzerland

Work permits in Switzerland can be divided into three categories. The available permits include permits L, B, and G. Each has a different duration.

1. Permit L

Permit L is the right choice for anyone looking to stay and work in Switzerland short-term. The visa is valid for a year and can be renewed for another year, provided you work for the same employer. This visa is tied to the employment contract.

2. Permit B

Permit B is a good choice if you need to stay in Switzerland and work for the same employer for several years. Permit B is valid for a year but can be renewed annually. It is tied to the contract you have with the employer and is tied to the canton that issued it. You cannot move to another one while on permit B. Unfortunately, these are issued based on a quota, so it may be difficult to obtain one.

3. Permit G

Permit G is the most common choice for expats who live in neighboring countries. This visa allows them to work in Switzerland while living in the border area. Not only do they have to be citizens of a neighboring country to be eligible for this permit, but expats must also return home at least once a week.

Visa requirements for non-EU/EFTA citizens

As a third-country national, you may face some stricter rules and requirements in Switzerland. For example, you must apply before you enter the country. You are also not allowed to find work while touristically in Switzerland - you must leave the country and return with the intention of work.

To obtain a visa to Switzerland as a non-EU/EFTA citizen, you’ll must be a highly skilled or qualified worker. This typically means that you are a specialist in your area. You also have to have a university degree and several years of professional work experience. Additionally, you need proof that you intend to improve your professional and social skills while in Switzerland. This could include taking classes in local knowledge, or other proof.

Your employer, who typically starts the process, must prove that no Swiss citizens were interested in the role. They should also prove no EU/EFTA citizens were interested in the role. Lastly, your employer must list your job duties and salary and compare it with the local job sector.

Unfortunately, Switzerland doesn’t accept EU Blue Card visas. While it is easy to obtain an EU Blue Card for neighboring Germany, it will not be valid in Switzerland.

What is the process for obtaining a visa in Switzerland?

The employer starts the visa process for the employee. The employer should submit the documents to the relevant cantonal immigration authority, typically employment or immigration office. At the same time, the employee must also apply to the Swiss representative abroad.

The employment or immigration office in the canton then screens the application and makes a preliminary decision. If the decision is positive, the application is forwarded to the ​​State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) for final approval. The SEM process is subject to a fee which should be paid by the employer. The employee is not yet allowed to enter the country.

If both SEM and the employment or immigration office in the relevant canton agree on approval, the cantonal immigration will issue an electronic visa to the Swiss representative abroad. Once the visa is collected, the employee can enter Switzerland.

Within 14 days of arrival in Switzerland, the employee must register with the relevant authority in their place of residence. They may not start work before they are registered.

Are there other permits you should know about?

The most important permit you need to obtain even before you apply for a visa is a residence permit. Everyone who stays in Switzerland for more than three months needs a residence permit, including people from the EU or EFTA countries.

If you're from a non-EU/EFTA country, you must apply for a permit when you arrive at the local cantonal migration office where you plan to live. Your application will be reviewed based on your situation.

Even though Swiss federal law applies nationwide, each canton (region) has its own rules about who can live and work there. You should check the specific requirements for permits in the canton where you intend to reside.

Permits must be renewed at your local cantonal immigration office. You should do this no earlier than three months before your permit expires and no later than two weeks before it expires.

Getting Citizenship in Switzerland

You can apply for Swiss citizenship after living in the country continuously for 10 years if you have a valid “C” permit. If you are married to a Swiss citizen or meet other special conditions, you might be able to apply after five years.

Becoming a Swiss citizen gives you additional rights, like the ability to vote. However, it also means taking on new responsibilities, such as mandatory military service for Swiss men.

Does Switzerland have a digital nomad visa?

Switzerland does not have a specific visa for digital nomads. If you are from a non-EU/EEA country, you need a work permit connected to a Swiss job to live and work there.

For EU/EEA nationals, it's easier. They can stay and work in Switzerland as digital nomads for up to three months without any special permits. They need to register at the local municipal office to stay longer than three months.

Since there is no digital nomad visa for Switzerland, you can consider other options. You might apply for a different type of visa like the entrepreneur or golden visa, or look into digital nomad visas in other EU countries.

Can you move to Switzerland as self-employed?

Moving to Switzerland as a self-employed is challenging, to say the least. There is no special visa for self-employed people, and only those with Swiss residency can establish themselves as self-employed in Switzerland.

Both EU/EFTA and non-EU/EFTA citizens must obtain authorization for stay before they can establish their residence and business in Switzerland.

One of the main requirements to establish yourself in Switzerland as self-employed is to register your company first. You can do this online through the Swiss online portal “EasyGov”.

Establishing a business in Switzerland

You have several options on what type of business you’d like to register. You can register as a sole proprietor, for which you need to have a turnover of over $110,000 annually. You can also register general and limited partnerships, foundations, or a foreign or Swiss company branch.

Apart from registering your business, you’ll have to petition the local canton and answer a few questions related to your self-employment. You will likely be asked to prove you have sufficient means to support yourself and your business long-term. You will also need to prove whether or not your business is competing with a pre-existing Swiss business, and how you plan to conduct business within that frame.

The last, and possibly most important question you’ll have to answer, is how Switzerland can benefit from your business. You could prove that your business is filling a local need, creating local jobs, or that you can create a significant economic impact.

To establish a business in Switzerland, you’ll have to apply for a visa as self-employed and submit relevant documents such as:

1. Business plan,

2. Bookkeeping data,

3. Proof of stable income,

4. Proof of contributions to relevant funds, including the Old-Age and Survivors’ Insurance Fund, or the Swiss Accident Insurance Fund.

5. Proof that your business has been successfully registered.

As mentioned before, obtaining this authorization may be challenging, as Switzerland has very strict rules on the number of foreigners allowed to live and work in the country. Those who receive this authorization have typically lived and worked in Switzerland for five or ten years.

However, the laws and regulations may vary per canton, so inform yourself of the laws in the specific canton.

How much does obtaining a visa for Switzerland cost?

Typically, a Swiss visa will cost you on average €90, since you are essentially applying for a Schengen visa. The embassy might charge additional fees to cover the expenses of documentation needed to obtain a visa.

If you decide to move to Switzerland by establishing a company there, the price is significantly higher. On average, you can expect to pay up to $1,000 to register your business in Switzerland. The registration process will cost you between $130 to $660. Other administrative tasks you’ll have to manage to start your business may add up to $330 of additional cost.

FAQ

Is it difficult to get a work permit in Switzerland?

Getting a work permit in Switzerland can be challenging, especially for non-EU/EFTA citizens. The process depends on job availability, qualifications, and the employer's ability to prove that no Swiss or EU/EFTA citizen can fill the position.

How long does a Swiss work permit take?

The time it takes to get a Swiss work permit can vary. It usually takes from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the type of permit and the complexity of your application.

What is work permit B in Switzerland?

Work permit B is a residence permit for foreigners in Switzerland who plan to stay for a year or more. It is often issued for people with a long-term employment contract, and it can be renewed annually.